Replacing Render

Yes, if the render was a later addition. If the wall was originally rendered, then you might find the brickwork/blockwork underneath isn't very suitable for direct exposure, depending on the type and age of construction, although if it's already very damp to start with, you've probably nothing to lose.

if damp that should let them dry out. It can take months. Be wary of asking about damp in old properties on here though, its one of the very few topics youre likely to get bad advice on here. There is a specialist forum for it here:

Thanks both. Yep, I've asked about damp on here before and can remember the epic debates!

Cheers, Ed.

He's got that arse about face.

That is where the bad advice is.

You'd probably have to re-point the wall - and if it was rendered from new the quality of the bricks, etc, may not be brilliant.

Not sure that it's bad advice but it assumes you live on another planet, and are looking for a new hobby, rather than trying to get the job done.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember snipped-for-privacy@care2.com saying something like:

Also, I notice you grudgingly admit that rising damp might actually exist, albeit in a small number of cases. Makes a bit of a change from denying the possibility of it at all, as you usually do. I agree that the majority of cases of it are misdiagnosed, often by charlatans and ignoramuses armed with 'damp meters', but it's a bit rich to recommend a site you are an interested party to, while simultaneously rubbishing this venue.

I dont claim it doesnt exist, rather that its incidence is orders of magnitude lower than often reported.

sounds like we about agree on that then

I havent had any connection with that site in years. And even when I did visit the forum there, I dont see any problem giving a link to a forum where there are some people with genuine expertise and some willingness to take the time. Do you?

And finally, I dont think I've ever rubbished this list either. uk.d-i- y is an excellent resource, but surely none of us is unrealistic enough to think it perfect on every topic.

NT

And even if the wall *wasn't* rendered from new, you may find that the brickwork below is completely trashed by having *been* rendered: when you hack off the old stuff you may find the underlying bricks to be indelibly stained with cement, or even wrecked by their faces being ripped off by being stuck to the render.

David

Thanks everyone and going back to earlier messages, I knew shouldn't have mentioned the word "damp" on here. :)

Damp isn't a problem to mention. Just don't add 'rising'. ;-)