Damp patch in corner of downstair bedroom, on skirting board

toki · Post by **toki** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:43 am

Hi,
I have just bought a barn conversion who has been converted about a year ago and problems are already starting to show... I need some advice please....
The other day, I noticed that the skirting board in the bedroom corner was damp and so was the carpet in this small corner. We check under the carpet and it looks dry but there is definately damp coming from a very small corner behing the skirting board. It is only about 1/2 way through the skirting board, nothing shows yet on the wall...
Any idea what it can be? Is it a beginning of rising damp?
I am a bit surprised as it had only been done recently, could that be that the damp proofing failed in that corner. If so, what do I need to do?
Many thanks for your help!

Geewizz · Post by **Geewizz** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:49 pm

Do you have any pets?

toki · Post by **toki** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:06 pm

No, no pets.
The corner is the back of the house where there isn't any opening if that helps. All the windows are at the front.
Thanks!

mikew1972 · Post by **mikew1972** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:00 pm

I assume its an outside wall?
Is the ground level below the damp proof course on the outside and sloping away from the wall?

toki · Post by **toki** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:29 pm

it is an outside wall.
I haven't been able to go outside yet as although it is detached, the back wall is in the garden of the neighbour. I will try and have a look.
Any suggestion on what it could be?
Many thanks

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:35 pm

Is the wall solid or is it a cavity wall?

Do you know what type of damp proof system was installed?

toki · Post by **toki** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:45 pm

The wall are stones, I don't think it is a cavity wall. The finish is made out of this rugged stuff like plasterboard.
No idea what type of damp proof system was installed. Basically, all I know is that is has all been converted 1 year ago and it's all according to the building regulation (whatever that means....). Sorry can't be very precise,

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:28 pm

I'd check the outside to make sure that there is no pointing missing etc.

It is highly unlikely that rising damp would make a carpet damp, especially if the floor is dry.

What is the floor made of?

toki · Post by **toki** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:11 pm

The floor is concrete.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:14 pm

I'd get a cheap damp detector if I was you and just test the floor and the wall and see if there are any damp patches.

toki · Post by **toki** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:13 pm

Hi there,
Checked outside and it looked like this small area hasn't been rendered like the rest of the house. The stones were left exposed to the element all winter. So I guess that is what caused the damp in the corner.
My question is, what next?
Just filling the area with render?
Many thanks,

Geewizz · Post by **Geewizz** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:23 pm

You would be better allowing it to dry first. Repair the render in the summer.

toki · Post by **toki** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:35 pm

Should I wait for a few days of dry weather then?
Thank you very much for all your help!