hi,

i have a single skin gable end which i believe has penetrating damp. the property was built in 1901 and was a bungalow, but since had a dorma added.the staircas, is artexed. the artex is bubbling and paint peeling away. the plaster on other rooms are bubbling also with black mould in spots which only follows the line of the brickwork upstairs.

a damp proffer has been out and diagnosed it as pentrating damp but i have since phoned a damp company who advise this could well be condensation. the damp proofer advised the render on the gable wall has some cracks but nothing major, repairable by plasterer then advised he can add some waterproof via spray to stop the damp.

i was wondering if anyone has had a similar problem or could advise whether this sounds like damp or condensation problem? or a way of establishing this?

i dont want to have all the work done presuming this is penetrating damp. the plaster needs taking off and some dpc needed for parts of the house without dpc and getting rising damp but dont want to re-board the walls for condensation to ruin the work again.

replies appreciated.

chris

If it's a single skin wall you probably have a combination of both problems.

The wall will be colder than the other walls, due to the heat loss which will cause condensation on that wall and any damp on the outside will soon be transferred to the inside as there is no cavity.

thanks for that post.

the damp proofer has advised he will treat the outside of the wall with a waterproof product once the render is sorted, internaly im going to have thermal boards added on the walls. i realise the waterproof on the outside wall would resolve the penetrating damp, but would the thermal boards fix the condensation problem? im unsure whether to dot and dab them to the brickwork or lat then fix?

thanks

chris

I'm sure the thermal boards will help with the condensation problem.

I think battens are preferred over the dot and dab method as the dabs can often transmit dampness from the bricks.

_________________
DIY | Donnas dream house

On the topic of damp or condensation

What colour is damp is it black or a green colour

i ask this because i have what a think is damp but my landlord says its condensation
see what think