Causes of damp in converted garage

[Ramekin]

I suspect I won't like the answer to this but here goes:

We have recently bought a house where an integral garage has been converted to a bedroom. The house is built into a hill such that the rear wall of this room has earth/rock behind it.

The wall feels very slightly damp and there is also a (very slight) damp smell in the room. Is this likely to be that the room is not properly "tanked" or might it be as simple the room not being well ventiallated.

If it isn't properly tanked, what will putting it right entail?

 

[noseall]

a big excavator.

 

[WabbitPoo]

I suspect I won't like the answer to this but here goes:

We have recently bought a house where an integral garage has been converted to a bedroom. The house is built into a hill such that the rear wall of this room has earth/rock behind it.

The wall feels very slightly damp and there is also a (very slight) damp smell in the room. Is this likely to be that the room is not properly "tanked" or might it be as simple the room not being well ventiallated.

If it isn't properly tanked, what will putting it right entail?

Just how high is the soil against the wall? If a few inches over the dpc then dig it out by hand and let it dry out. If more then yes, a digger or lot of friends with spades would be way to go.

 

[Ramekin]

The earth is the full height of the room. The floor above goes further back on top of the earth. I've tried to show this below. There is no chance of digging out without knocking down most of the house.

I noticed last night that the dampish wall is a stud wall if that makes any difference. I believe there is just breeze block behind it, as it was a once a garage. Upstairs is plastered as usual.

/--------\
|______|
XXXX|___|
XXXXXXXXXXX

 

[peca27]

it sounds as if the conversion from garage to living space wasn't done under building control, you should have been made aware of this when buying the house. If you have building control certification saying the work was done to there satisfaction, you've got a leg to stand on.

otherwise get it tanked, ideally get a tanking contractor in + ensure you get a lengthy gaurantee from someone who is reputable.........+ yes it'll cost a few ££'s.

 

[Ramekin]

Thanks