Is This Damp? If So, What Kind?

[AndersonC]

That is assuming there is a DPC, if not you should have the walls drilled and injected to form a DPC.

Do not waste your time and money following this suggestion. If you want a DPC fitting then get a proper DPC put in between two courses of bricks.

 

[chuckalicious]

I'd certainly rather avoid getting a DPC put in, unless it's 100% required. I've read in so many places that's it's normally more effective, and cost effective, to remedy the source of the water rather than just trying to stop it get in.

According to a couple of my neighbours (who have identical buildings in the same terrace, we should all have a slate DPC.

I will, unless advised not to by whoever I can get to look at the issue, remove the concrete and put down some gravel, certainly seems like a good idea and makes perfect sense.

 

[Softus]

You're quite right about removing the source of the water.

A DPC in the wall isn't as important as a lot of people think, and the DPC in the outer skin of a cavity wall isn't doing much of anything.

On the inner skin, or on a solid wall, the purpose of the DPC is to connect with the DPM (if there is one) to form a contiguous barrier to moisture that would otherwise be able to creep up the join between internal wall and internal floor.

The DPC should be taken as a 'mark' and all ground, especially hard like paving and concrete, kept well below it. As has already been pointed out, if you have any external ground that meets an external wall covering, then that covering is exposed to the damp in the ground, and will crack, spall, and generally deteriorate.

That's why render is so often finished like this:

 

[AndersonC]

Quite a nice diagram of a bell end-casting

 

[Aqua]

That is assuming there is a DPC, if not you should have the walls drilled and injected to form a DPC.

Do not waste your time and money following this suggestion. If you want a DPC fitting then get a proper DPC put in between two courses of bricks.

Quite right, i never gave that a thought. It would certainly be a better option than the rather hit and miss drill/inject idea.

chuckalicious, i would certainly proceed with the gravel idea however, it is a simple job you can do yourself the only real cost to you is the gravel and a bit of sweat

 

[anobium]

Softus wrote

On the inner skin, or on a solid wall, the purpose of the DPC is to connect with the DPM (if there is one) to form a contiguous barrier to moisture that would otherwise be able to creep up the join between internal wall and internal floor.

GOTCHA. For creep up read rise,
Softus finally admits that there is such a thing as rising damp.
I will now die a happy man.

 

[chuckalicious]

GOTCHA. For creep up read rise,
Softus finally admits that there is such a thing as rising damp.
I will now die a happy man.

I want nothing to do with this I read some of that other thread on that subject, we don't need another one

 

[AndersonC]

Softus wrote

On the inner skin, or on a solid wall, the purpose of the DPC is to connect with the DPM (if there is one) to form a contiguous barrier to moisture that would otherwise be able to creep up the join between internal wall and internal floor.

GOTCHA. For creep up read rise,
Softus finally admits that there is such a thing as rising damp.
I will now die a happy man.

Hang on, hang on. The previous "monster thread" stemmed from there being no such thing as rising damp in a wall made of bricks and mortar, NOT in the join between the internal wall and floor.

 

[anobium]

Oh come on AndersonC, let me have my moment of glory.
He said that the purpose of the dpc was to prevent moisture from creeping up the join between the internal wall and solid floor.
Ergo he accepts that moisture can rise up a wall, in other words rising damp.
I could take issue with his statement that the purpose of a dpc is to form a contiguous barrier, but I am happy that he acknowledges that moisture can rise, or has he said "creep up a wall."
Maybe now we should all refer to rising damp as "creeping damp"

 

[chuckalicious]

Just for an update, we had a damp person round (he wasn't damp ), and you guys were right, we should remove the concrete strip, dig down for a soak away and then put down some gravel. He tested the inside of the walls and they are fine, which is good, so hopefully just a bit of elbow grease will do the job.

Thanks for all the advice folks However I wish I had asked him his thoughts on rising damp

 

[chuckalicious]

Ok, now dug the trench round the wall. My god that was hard work.

Have also brushed off all the loose paint and given it a good does of antifungal treatment.

Will repaint when I get a chance and I'll see if it dries out Fingers crossed.