DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

My brother has dampness on three sides of a wall which is between his front room and dining room, all sides are flaking and have serious dampness issues.
I know that damp will only travel 1.5 meters up and then stop and I want to ask this question regarding the wall.

Can I score all three walls about 6 inches above the last lot of dampness, then chip away at the old plaster until all the brickwork is revealed, then clean the brickwork with a good wire brush, treat all sides with a sealer, and this is where I am stuck as I have seen many items that can be added to the wall to stop damp from rising, so is it easier to put the membrane on the wall then add the plasterboard, or is there another option were it can be done.

Thanks

Hi jigbeff,
I would suggest you inject a damp proof cream at, or just above floor level before you start hacking off plaster. Once the rising damp is stopped the wall will dry out.
Regards S

Thanks for the reply.

But the walls on three sides are crumbling as he is a lazy brother, so would it be still okay to do that and then maybe just scrape away the flaking paint, etc?


Jefj

Hi jigbeff,
Once the wall has dried out (which may take months) you can then assess whether it needs more than surface repairs.
Regards S

Thanks for the help.

I'll let him know, but I will still have to remove the old plaster and skirting boards to get to the wall, then follow what it says regarding using the cream.


Thanks again