Damp or condensation - and how to treat

[Lamb]

I am working on a wall which may have rising damp, it appears to be so as it has been treated twice before bthe treatment failed twice within 2-3 years. nowhere else is damp in the house.

The wall is in a one storey extension at the side of the kitchen. the sign of damp is on the internal wall only but not on the external one. what tests can I do to determine whether this is really rising damp rather than condensation (kitchen is hot, extended area is always cold and the outside wall is north-northwest facing.

Also, what steps can i make eliminate damp (if it is that) or condensation. Would vents and heating help? - there is neither at the moment.

Thanks M

[stuart noble]

Fix a mirror on the wall. If the front is damp you have condensation, which sounds the most likely, especially if you have a solid floor. IME moving the radiator to the furthest (coldest) point is the only real cure.

[John Rouse]

In article , Lamb writes

The fact that the "damp" treatment hasn't worked suggests it is falling or penetrating rather than "rising damp".

There is a simple test. Make a sausage of putty. Form it into a ring, and press a small piece of glass flat onto it. If condensation forms on the outside of the glass, then its coming from the air, if condensation forms on the inside of the glass, then its coming from the wall.

Both will help, but ventilation is the more important.

J.