how do i fix damp on bedroom wall??

[sideshowbob2]

what's the best way to fix this??

1. insulating polystyrene with back and then wallpaper
   or
   
2. black damp paint
   or
   
3. dehumidifier
   or any other options??
   
   i live in a ground floor council flat and my bedroom has always suffered with damp, i thought mainly because the ivy had pulled mortar out between the bricks on the front wall and around the bedroom window and there was black mould on my bedroom window and wall near the window too, but now the damp is on the internal communal hallway wall, i know this because my bed is covered in damp and mildew spots on the side that touches this wall, i have asked the council to check if this internal wall has been insulated as this has been an ongoing problem since i moved here 10 years ago!!
   
   so i'm going to have to get a new bed this weekend, as i suffer with asthma, eczema and allergies too, all advise and help welcome!!

[ilovepowerhoop]

if the underlying problem has not been fixed then whatever you do will not help as the dampness will still be there. I would get back on to the council tbh

[sideshowbob2]

ok i will give them the weekend, i have emailed the council but not received a reply from the correct department yet!!

[inmyshoos]

Often get mould spores if there are issues with lack of heat/condensation/ventilation.

Get the heating on, open window and see if that helps.
We used to have black mould behind furniture in our bedroom. We stripped off the paper. Painted walls. We have an open fire in there so we swept the chimney and lit a fire. Made sure room had adequate air flow, windows open everyday.

[sideshowbob2]

thanks, windows are all open on open-lock all year round, there's only a tiny radiator in there, so maybe the dehumidifier will help when it arrives, i always have the door open apart from when i'm asleep,
going to get the polystyrene sheets today in a hope that the extra insulation will help too!!

[Andcake]

I usually have this problem in winter only but it's a pain. It only arrived when we double glazed
Ventilating the room helps but so does a dehumidifier.
I bought the cheapest argos one about £100 but use it sparingly due to electricity costs but it still helps. Also in smaller rooms I got a few of the little pillow things to collect water which you pop in the microwave. When I'm not on phone I'll try and find a link.

[sideshowbob2]

ok thanks yes i've had those crystal damp collecting thing before, they would collect to much water i would have to change them everyday!! i have a damp collecting fabric sausage there now from lakeland and it seems to do the job!!

[sideshowbob2]

anyone else!!

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

What's your guttering like outside? If you have broken gutters or gutters that are full of leaves etc and it's leaking water down your exterior walls that'll cause interior damp.

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Also have the council repointed the mortar where the ivy had been? If not then yes that'll cause damp too.

[sideshowbob2]

i've made a massive complaint via email to the council telling them i need to claim on their buildings insurance for the cost of my new bed!! so that there's a paper trail now!! i have also mentioned that i will be speaking to my local MP if i don't get a phone call on Tuesday!!
the outside wall isn't wet as far as i can see, but rain must be going into the holes as spiders have been making homes in the holes!!
yes the guttering leaks at every join too!!

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Might be worth photographing the broken gutters, missing mortar and the damp inside the house.

Sounds like they need a kick up the bum! Good luck x

[sideshowbob2]

i have photo's of my bed already, its incredibly cold in my bedroom, i'm going to put my temperature clock in the bedroom for the next couple of days and keep a record of it, there's nothing to see on the walls unfortunately just very cold!! i will take picture's of the ivy, holes and the walls and the gutters too!!
now wish i hadn't cleaned the black mould off the wall near the window!!
fingers crossed!