Rotting skirting boards in lower ground floor flat Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[Chris81]

I live in a lower ground floor flat and the skirting boards in the hallway/reception entrance have deteriorated over the last few months.
I can see a ride mark in the laminate floor too and worried this is either an underfloor leak or rising damp.
It's a concrete sub floor.
See pics provided
Has anyone else had this issue?
If so what was your diagnosis and treatment?
Thanks

[stoneyboy]

Hi chris81,
If this is a new occurrence then a leak is the most likely cause. You will probably have to remove the laminate floor to check but for now I suggest you leave things alone and see how bad it gets over the next few weeks. I’m assuming the wall does not form part of a shower.
Regards S

[Chris81]

Thanks for your response,
I believe a DPC was done to the two internal walls on either side of the door over a year ago prior to me moving in.
I’ve been told it could be bridging to the plaster behind the skirting that may need trimming back but until I remove the skirting I wouldn’t know for sure.

[stoneyboy]

Hi chris81,
It’s difficult to tell from your pictures but it looks like it’s a wholly internal corner. If this is the case the question is why damp should appear internally. You could hire a decent damp meter to draw the cartography of the damp and see if this shows the damp source.
Regards S