Advice needed (rising damp )

[kapish786]

Hi people,

Need some 2nd opinions, basically I have a rising damp problem in my house near bay window, had a builder round who kept guessing at what remedial work would be needed, he was also unable to identify a source to the damp problem, but qouted 1600 to damp inject, replaster, re build the wall outside above bay window, and to rellay the floor etc.

Is this price ok?
Should I go ahead with this builder? or get a proper damp specialist?

regards
kapish786

 

[joe-90]

Neither they both are dodgy. Get a few more quotes. Why does the wall need rebuilding?

 

[Whitespirit66]

Bite the bullet and get a surveyor to investigate. Then get a good builder to carry out his recommendations.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Post some pics of inside and outside of your bay window. It could be as simple as faulty guttering or the exterior ground being too high.

Andy

 

[kapish786]

basically the exterior wall above the bay which is bay shape with another bay on top, he advised rebuilding that as there is water or damp spots above the bay window inside on the base plate, he said this would completely stop that, and it would cost 400quid, however he was jotting about saying that the window was letteing water in and other things before he came to that conclusion with my input.

there is also risisng damp not severe, belwo the bay window inside, coming up on small part of florrbard and rising salt mark on about a foot worth of wall, for that foot worth of wall with damp mark, he wants to rebuild half of my living room wall all the way round plaster it, thn I said it is only a problem there and would not need all the way round,

Any way here are some pics, he was a funny bloke scrathing his had and kept making really silly guesses, and had no idea where the water was actually coming in, I think at times like this you need a damp proofing specialist, who I will contact for quotes soon, not a problem now, and not really a major problem anyway, but it does need attention

View media item 22792

 

[joe-90]

What's that a picture of?

 

[kapish786]

the inside, of the bay, shows water mark on floorbaord coming from the exterior direction, left a white residue when dried, I will post pics of the out side and aobve the bay later.

you might want to zoom in.

 

[JohnD]

hmmm, damp near a radiator?

have a look for leaks, may be above or below the floor.

As a rule of thumb, don't trust anyone to cure a problem if they have not identified the cause.

Damp-proofing companies are also in the business of selling injections and replastering. So if you call one in guess what they will recommend.

you need to look at the wall and under the floor. Also look at the gutters and downpipes taking water off the bay.

and show us lots more pics

 

[theoldun]

kapish786

Any way here are some pics, he was a funny bloke scrathing his had and kept making really silly guesses, and had no idea where the water was actually coming in, I think at times like this you need a damp proofing specialist, who I will contact for quotes soon, not a problem now, and not really a major problem anyway, but it does need attention.

So what is it that you actually need help with? You do realise that if you contact a damp course company, 9 out of 10 are going to tell you straight away that you need a new injected dpc and all the ancillary works that go with it.

Post some more pictures, and I feel sure someone will try to help you.

old un.

 

[gregers]

are the walls cavity???
if so then yes you might having rising damp,but not in the sense you think.it could be that the cavity is blocked and needs raking out.

 

[Homesafe]

Post some pics of inside and outside of your bay window. It could be as simple as faulty guttering or the exterior ground being too high.

Andy

Spot on with this Herts, it could be as you say something simple to fix barring a leaking pipe underground or summat. It could be water ingress from the top of the window seals.

 

[Static]

I would be highly dubious of the builder that wants to rebuild everything without actually giving a reason.. total rebuild is normally last resort..

Look for the obvious causes first, roof leaking around the area where the wall is damp.. also if the ground level externally is higher than the internal floor level for the low level damp.. take up some floor boards have a peek under the floor.. might be a ventilation issue..

 

[mnb]

1. If the OP would take the trouble to research this site there is a mountain of check lists for damp and timber investigations including bays.

2. The "line" on the floor in the pic is a carpet line ie. a floor covering line. It is not an indication of damp.
3. If and when the OP comes back with a specific set of educated questions and some pic's, as asked, then the knowledgeable contributors would be able to give him some informed answers.