Can anyone recommend a damp specialist who can advise on old houses (1800s)?

[PrincessDianaOfThemyscira]

Our house was built in 1860 and we have some damp patches on the wall. We're looking to sell soon and i'm thinking it might be worth having this looked at before we do. We live in the North West near Greater Manchester/lancashire areas.

Can anyone recommend anyone?

I live in a similarly aged house and had damp on the inside of an exterior wall. The damp plaster was removed then holes drilled into the base and filled with some kind of damp inhibitor, and I must say, it's worked marvellously. Also had a window installed in the cellar for ventilation.

Not in your area though, but you could post this again in the local board?

Timberwise. Sorted out damp and wood issues in an 18th century Grade 2 listed house for me - they are a national firm, so you should be covered,

Thanks I'll have a google for Timberwise. It's not a major problem but needs looking at. I'm sure I saw a thread on here ages ago discussing the need to choose damp specialists wisely when it's for an older house and it had some recommendations but I can't find it.

how high up the wall is it?

If it's an external wall, it's most likely rain-related, such as a dripping gutter of leaking downpipe, or cracked render

It's the external front wall of the house, at the top of the wall near to the Ceiling. There is also a bit on the wall next to the front door. We have just had the front wall re-rendered but that doesn't seem to have solved the problem

What is the render? Is it cement? That could be the issue as it traps moisture.

AldredLtd.com, he is based in Cleveleys area I think. He has helped me out twice now and is a real expert and very helpful

"It's the external front wall of the house, at the top of the wall near to the Ceiling"

rainwater leak. gutter or roof. don't get anyone who sells chemical injections.

I agree with PigletJohn to no chemical injections and also the one that uses electricity - electro osmosis. It doesn't work and it'll have to be on 24/7.

List of independent damp & timber surveyors:
www.independentdampsurveyors.co.uk/

We've just had the house painted and they said the gutter seems fine and no obvious issues with the roof. We just have these wet patches that appear on the wall downstairs every now and again. No mould or anything. In the hall we had it replastered and the paint has flaked off and bubbled up in one spot. I did a ghost paint coat on the new plaster and other than the one spot it is fine. Very confusing.

Thanks for the advice and recommendations, I'm sure it will be an easy problem to solve for someone who knows what they're doing. Just don't want to get ripped off.

well, the water is coming from somewhere. Either rainwater, or plumbing. If it's condensation, you can remove the source and improve ventilation. You don't drape wet washing around inside your house, do you?

here's the tip on identiftying the source of damp on a wall.

Tape a piece of clear plastic tightly to the wall.

If water droplets appear on the room side of the plastic, it's condensation.

If they appear on the wall side, it's coming through the wall.

Post some pictures of the inside and the outside of the wall, showing the shape of the patches. Pencil round them so you can see when they grow or shrink, for example in rainy weather or after running the bath.

I'll give that a go thanks PigletJohn. The bath is above the wall where the problem is so I might just reseal the bath and see if that improves it. It also seems worse after heavy rain. Is it worth hiring a dehumidifier? I'm wondering if we need to get rid of the moisture and then see if it comes back.

not worth getting a humidifier until you've found and cured the source.

also take the bath panel off. use your nose and a torch to search for signs of damp. Look at the floor under the bath, and the wall behind it.

Leave the panel off for a week or two and leave the torch handy.

I will do that. Thanks

www.heritageanddesign.co.uk/
Above link explains causes of damp in old houses and what to do (or not do) about it.
Completely agree with Piglet, stay away from chemical injections they are not suitable for a Victorian building and are hideously expensive too.

Thanks Auntie I'll have a look at that