Damp Diagnosis and Alternative to Airbrick for Damp Carpet in Lounge Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[Spare_ribs88]

Ive got a damp underlay and carpet in a corner of my lounge (see pic 0358) and it looks like its coming up from damp soil under the floorboards (see pic 3025). Im thinking i need to vent underfloor better as only got airbricks on front of house and none on this side of house. However, it will be tricky to install airbricks on the problem wall due to a raised path outside (a 4" trench has been dug to lower path levels to match indoor floor level but no lower), and floor joists right up to the wall on the inside (see 2nd pic again). So can i drill a hole in my wall and floorboards and vent to outside with a 110mm soil pipe intead? This has been done further down the house in a different room and seems to be dry underfloor there. Would this work and maybe solve my issue? Any help appreciated p.s i live on a hill if that has any bearing on water levels under my house.cheers

[welsh brickie]

Ideally it would be better to remove the wood floor and install a solid concrete floor with a membrane and insulation. But if you don't want to do that, I would lay concrete over the soil, it does not have to be thick, or pretty this will stop the damp and help with ventilation, and I would also consider having a fan installed.

[Spare_ribs88]

Thanks for the info welsh brickie. Would laying concrete just between the 1st and 2nd floor joist be enough to sort this out? Thats the only place i have the damp soil, the rest of the soil is dry.I will look into the fan option for ventilation but if too pricey can i vent the floor with a soil pipe (due to lack of access for a standard airbrick/telescopic airbrick)?

[Spare_ribs88]

Thanks for the info welsh brickie. Would laying concrete just between the 1st and 2nd floor joist be enough to sort this out? Thats the only place i have the damp soil, the rest of the soil is dry.I will look into the fan option for ventilation but if too pricey can i vent the floor with a soil pipe (due to lack of access for a standard airbrick/telescopic airbrick)?

[welsh brickie]

its best to concrete over the entire floor area, the damp will only travel if its not done.
installing any more ventilation will help.