Friend is buying a 1920s concrete block house. Steep site, so the roads are flat and every house is either up or down steps. As a result of the valley and lack of sun, there are always problems with damp, path moss and cold.
Construction is a single leaf of concrete blocks. So it's one of the few forms of construction where "penetrating damp" is really a thing.
Overall, the best fix (inspired somewhat by reading The Yellow House eco-blog) would seem to be applied foamboard insulation on the outside, with render over. Any thoughts? Suggestions for materials? Technique?
This isn't going to be DIY (I ain't doing it, and they're moving to get themselves out of a live-in barn conversion that ground to a halt a decade ago). Still, good project management of builders is helped by knowing the score a bit.
Thanks