Damp

[Ryan]

Hi all,

I've been living in my 1890's terrace for about 18 months. About 12 months ago we had wardrobes built in the bedroom, and a few months after that noticed a small patched of mould inside the wardrobe against an outside wall. I cleaned it up, but there have been small patches appearing ever since. With the recent constant rain, the damp has got a lot worse.

I painted the entire exterior wall about 9 months ago (not to prevent this problem but because it needed doing) with a maisonry paint, and at the time I did notice a couple of holes in the mortar.

Is it likely that the damp has always been there, but is more obvious because the particular area doesn't get ventilated? Could it have been made worse when the frame of the wardrobe was fixed to the walls?

Any ideas on a solution? I though about getting up on a ladder and inspecting the outside of the wall to check for any particular holes, and either re-pointing them or using some sort of filler?

I'm fairly sure the problem is localised because there is no damp anywhere else in the houes (the gutters look fine from the outside too).

I really don't want to have the whole wall re-pointed (and I don't think it needs doing)!

Thanks in advance.

Ryan

[Phil L]

It only started when you put wardrobes in...it's condensation, brought about because there's no ventilation, either put an airbrick in or create airflow through the wardrobes somehow, maybe by adding decorative vents

[Ian Stirling]

You have an insulated box (clothes, ...) against the wall. The flow of heat out of the wall cools the back of the wardrobe enough to cause condensation. A) Move the wardrobe out 5cm, so there is an air gap. B) put a 2.5cm bit of kingspan behind it.

Oh - do you mean they are built in wardrobes?

[CJC]

Hi there,

I'm no expert on this but a property I nearly brought had some damp like this, and I was told by a lot of people just to get a dehumidifier and turn it on now and then to draw out the damp.

Another thing I was recommended was to put one of those ventilation plaques/grids on the door so air gets through.

Hope it helps.

[CJC]

Ah decorative vents now that's the words I was looking for not plaques/grid

[Ryan]

Thanks for all your comments.

Yes, wardrobes are build in, can't really move them now!

In the short term I'll leave the wardrobe door open, it looks like this wet weather will continue for a while, so I'll see if the damp re-appears! If not I'll fit some sort of ventilation.

Thanks again.

Ryan

Ian Stirl> > Hi all,

[meow2222]

You may find thats enough. Painting with masonry paint was perhaps not such a good idea.

Its worth checking your rainwater goods, and checking the pointing or render is in good condition. Theres more can be done if needed. It may be wise to get some advice before acting though.

NT

[Guy King]

The message from "Ryan" contains these words:

For household use? (insert smiley of choice here)

Personally I'd suspect the stifled air behind the wardrobe. Improve the ventilation and it'll probably improve.

Wouldn't hurt to go outside next time it's raining hard and see if the gutters are doing their job properly.

[Ryan]

Thanks for all your comments, will leave the doors open and have a look at the guttering.

Out of interest, what is wrong with masonry paint? The stuff I bought was from B&Q, I think it was called weathershield or something. What should I have used and what would the benefits have been?

Thanks

Ryan

Guy K> The message

[Stuart Noble]

Water based masonry paint is no protection against penetrating damp anyway.

[meow2222]

Nothing, on a modern property. Victorian buildings handle damp somewhat differently though, and the water content of the wall depends on the equilibrium between water ingress and evaporation. Paints like masonry paint reduce evaporation more than they reduce ingress, thus making the wall more liable to problem levels of damp.

This isnt really a good place to ask these kind of questions. More info on old houses and damp can be found here:

[Stuart Noble]

In reality I doubt if they significantly affect either, if by masonry paint you mean the standard water based versions.

, thus making the

[The Natural Philosopher]

Ah! that mine of misinformation and prejudice.

Victorian hoses didn't 'handle damp' at all. They relied on open fires to heat the place up, and draughty windows to let in fresh air, to evaporate it as fast as the crap construction soaked it up from the sodden ground.

If you were lucky, the hose would fall down or you would die of TB somewhat before the woodwork rotted away.

The only recourse if you want comfort is to inject them, tank the wall and heat them..and leave the outside as the main exit route for the damp.

Then when it freezes, it will split the bricks at the house base as well.

Then you can demolish the crap, and build a decent house on the insurance.

[meow2222]

myths snipped. This is why I suggested PP to the OP rather than ukdiy.

NT