Garage Damp from Flower bed

jacobtribe · Post by **jacobtribe** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:33 pm

Hi All,

I hope someone can help me out here. I have just purchased my first house with my partner and its fair to say that the guy who used to live here was a bit of a DIY wanna be. A bay window roof with shed felt, a combi boiler that had been siliconed inside to prevent a leak from being seen, wall sockets held in with blu tack and a light fitting held on with double sided sticky tip are just some of the things we have come across.

One of his worst ideas however was that he was built a flower bed next to the garage. When he has built it however, he hasn't put a back on it. It was just the sides and the front so of course all of the soil from the flowerbed has soaked the brickwork out. Talking to the neighbours, I would say it has been there since April 2020. I have removed the bed and all of the soil but now I'm left with a garage that is wet inside and out. Inside the garage you can see exactly where the soil went up to.

How to I fix this and what would be the long term consequences of not doing anything?

I have attached a photo if that helps :)

Many Thanks,

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 3:53 pm

Now you have removed the soil it will dry out. Quite a bit is under the damp course and the cavity should hopefully keep the inner wall dry. Do not worry too much, you have done what needed to be done.

It is always a worry undoing a bodgers handiwork and you can never take anything for granted, especially electrical and plumbing. But you are not alone and all you need to do is come on here and ask and we will advise and guide you through any issues.

DWD

jacobtribe · Post by **jacobtribe** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:34 pm

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. It has penetrated through the brick and into the inside. It looks exactly the same on the inside as it does on the outside.

Is that anything to be concerned about?

Thanks for the help :)

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:42 pm

It will dry out as there is no longer moisture leeching in from the soil bridging the damp course. Your heating will dry it out plus warmer weather is coming. It will take a while as it will be gradual. If it is enclosed indoors, say behind cabinets, try and allow air in to circulate. I should not worry, just be patient. You may have to paint any staining that may form but staining may not necessarily occur. As the previous owner appears to be effing useless check carefully though all things to be sure.

DWD

jacobtribe · Post by **jacobtribe** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:45 pm

Thank you very much for your help, you’ve been very helpful :)

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:36 pm

: d.jpg (66.77 KiB) Viewed 1910 times

Just asking, the soil that was the flowerbed, you are not going to leave it against the wall are you?

jacobtribe · Post by **jacobtribe** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:46 pm

No, I moved it. It’s mainly stones to be honest. I just needed somewhere to put it temporarily but I’ve put it in rubble sacks and out the way now