Damp proof coursing failed after 2 years. Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[JHobbs]

Damp proof coursing failed after 2 years, we have contacted the company making a claim, they expect us to pay £150 for them to survey their work. They said they would refund the money if the problem is to do with them and re-do the job - no extra cost. The company did say that there is a 95% that it's to do with other factors contributing to the damp - why would i pay £150 for a 5% chance to get my money back?
I live in a ground floor flat dating 1900's. It's a kitchen wall, damp concentrated in the corner, spreading across the bottom, it can't go up as big window above. The skirting board appears okay but water sits above and occasionally beads of water sit on the beading above the laminate.
What effect would attaching the skirting board with a few nails have rather than 'no more nails'? Also the guttering outside is letting a lot of water drip on to our patio would this have an adverse affect?
Why has damp returned and do i get the company to come back?
All comments appreciated.

[stoneyboy]

JHobbs,
Have a look at the relative levels of your floor and the patio outside, the patio should be at least 15cm below the damp course and internal floor level. Also check that there is a clear drip groove to the window cill.
No more nails and most other adhesives are useless in a damp situation.
Make sure there are no obvious causes for the water ingress, get the gutter repaired.
end

[the specialist]

Hi,

Firstly from the information you have given I think your problem is more likely condensation - therefore you would lose your £150!

Why do I think condensation? You mention beads of water on top of skirting board and beading.

The damp you say is visible. What does it look like? Is it black spotty mould eminating from the corner and spreading along above the skirting board?

Why do you ask about the fixing of the skirting board?

Please advise.

Aidan

[JHobbs]

Thanks for your response.

The damp is very black in the corner, with black spots running across the wall, i have taken the wallpaper off in the corner to take a closer look and the wall is damp above the skirting board (the replaster shows a darker shade indicating damp). The black spots continues at low level across the length of the wall (2.5m).
The skirting board itself doesn't appear to show signs of damp, apart from the odd dot of black spots.
[i]Is it black spotty mould eminating from the corner and spreading along above the skirting board? Yes
Why do you ask about the fixing of the skirting board?
The companies aftercare suggest that you should not use nails to fix the skirting board to the wall, we used a few.
Would you suggest a damp proof paint and more ventilation?
Thank you for your advice.
[quote="the specialist"]Hi,

Firstly from the information you have given I think your problem is more likely condensation - therefore you would lose your £150!

Why do I think condensation? You mention beads of water on top of skirting board and beading.

The damp you say is visible. What does it look like? Is it black spotty mould eminating from the corner and spreading along above the skirting board?

Why do you ask about the fixing of the skirting board?

Please advise.

Aidan[/quote]

[the specialist]

Hi Again,

I'm still thinking condensation. The black spot mould is Aspergillus niger spp. The spores are omnipresent but can only grow when conditions are right. They need pure water which is what you get as a result of evapouration and condensation. Ground water is contaminated with salts which won't sustain mould growths. It is possible to get mould sometimes after the water rising from the ground has evapourated and re-condensed in the same areas. However the way you describe the mould as rising up in the corner and spreading along the lower section of the wall is classic condensation coning.

I wouldn't paint anything on the surface. It needs to breathe. Try and leave things away from the wall to let air circulate. Clean the mould away with jeyes fluid or similair. Then observe for a while and see if it dries out. If not come back to me and I will offer further advice.

[JHobbs]

Thanks so much for your words of advice, we really appreciate it.
Will let you know how we got on.
:D