We've got damp, what do we do?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Its in one corner of our living room. Not sure if there is a problem with the drains so we are looking into getting that sorted. What can we do about the damp though? It seems to be working its way up the wall. Can we claim on our insurance?

Check you ground levels outside, check your guttering is not damaged and check your airbricks are not obstructed. Beware of damp companies, I find different companies rarely agree on recommended works. There are independent damp specialists who will prepare a report for a fee.

Hopefully pigletjohn will be along soon his advice is always SPOT ON.

Thanks very much piglet, that's very helpful

It is very likely a leaking pipe or drain. Have a look under the floor first. might be a radiator pipe. What's outside this wall? Is it a terraced housr? How old?

Have you got a water meter? Does the bubble ever stop?

Its a prewar semi and a gravel drive is on the other side. We have suspected drain problems for a bit so will get that investigated. Think we had a letter a while ago saying that the drains were nw the responsibility of the water company.

Yes we've got a water meter, don't know about the bubble. Do I just loom at the meter? Don't think the radiator pipe is near there but know that we do have a small leak in the system that we have never been able to find...

Sorry cheerful thanked you and called you by the wrong name! Have these by way of an apology

if you have a water meter,there will be an air bubble that spins when water is used. If you have a leak it will never stop moving. You may need a torch, and a brush or sponge to clean the glass window. If the pit is full of rainwater, bale it out with a ladle or cup, or suck it out with a Supersoaker if you have one.

Observe the T-shaped handle which enables you to turn off the water, and practice using it. If you have no handle, ask the water co for one. Depending on the meter, it may be a pull-off push-on handle. Sometimes people take them off and lose them. It may be blue plastic. Don't wind it hard open against the stop, ease it back a quarter turn and it is less likely to seize (same with all stopcocks)

You could take the meter reading while you're down there, and input it to the water co website to avoid estimated bills.

I had this and (despite my FIL's dire warnings of gloom and expense and his sneering at my first suggestion) we cleared plants and soil from outside where they had 'bridged' the damp course. Problem solved and 2 fingers up at FIL - Result!

Always worth a quick look outside

Thanks everyone, will show your responses to DH when he finally gets home,

It's really common with interwar houses that, sometime in the intervening years, somebody raised the ground level outside, covering the air bricks that ventilate the floors, and above the level the damp proof course can cope with. If you can't face digging out the whole drive, dig out (and shore-up) a 2ft wide trench around the front of your house, down to the original level.

Do you have render? We ended up with damp in our kitchen where the render had blown on the outside of the house and moisture was accumulating in the gap between the render and the brickwork. All the stuff suggested on here is top advice.

The tender is on the first floor. Have shown dj the thread and he thinks it might be air bricks and gutters. Will keep you updated