Damp barrier and damp membrane advice help Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[Funkyboy]

Hi All,

Is anyone familiar with damp proof membrane systems?
My parents have just had this fitted in their home then plaster board dab and dot onto it and skimmed.
There is some cutouts for in the plaster board for service utilities and radiator pipes. In these gaps if you touch the plastic membrane it's wet to the touch same for other areas that you can get your fingers under the plaster board gaps. Is this normal?

Thanks

[stoneyboy]

Hi funkyboy,
Where a impervious sheeting (DPM) is applied to a wall it is inevitable that condensation will form in the wall/DPM junction. If applied to a cavity wall, the wall will probably dry out. If applied to a solid wall, especially north facing walls, there is a good chance that so much condensation will be formed that it will run down behind the DPM and appear at the bottom of the wall.
If this happens to your parents you will have to get the contractor back to sort it out.
Regards S