whats the cheapest way to tackle damp?

Question

Electric heaters are a bit pricey

Answer 1

DampRid is the cheapest way I know of depending on how much damp you have. It is a container of moisture collection crystals that literally suck moisture out of the air and collect it in a plastic tub. You can find it at home improvement and discount stores for under $5. You place it in the areas where it is damp and replace it when the container is full of water.

Answer 2

Do you want to tackle general humidity or dry rot?
Try a dehumidifier - they do a terrific job but will cost quite a bit to run, otherwise you're talking a lot of money for a professional damp-proof course and possibly dry rot course as well.

EDIT: Another poster has just reminded me that you can treat a wall or floor with bitchamin (sp? Very nasty stuff) which forms a water tight barrier against everything, it will require several layers and won't be cheap (you can do it yourself, just don't get any on your skin because it doesn't come off until your skin does...) You can then white-wash this or whatever you want to do. It also smells a lot until it's cured completely. This is one form of damp proofing which works very well - we did it in our house.

Answer 3

Go to your local hardware store. There is a paint designed to cover damp.
http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/invt/192446

Also have a medical with your doctor, as damp can cause asthma etc.

If you rent from the council, it is vital to tell them of the damp in the areas you have it. They should bring out an specialist that will measure the damp and condensation levels, if it is high, they will install extractor fans and a machine to remove damp. They also may be kind enough, to actually, repair the building work for you.

Answer 4

Do wash everything with a bleach and water solution and dry out. A dehumifier can help solve damp problems. Not too expensive to buy or to run and do save a lot of hard work and can be costly repair work.

Do hope this helps.

Answer 5

(if you mean on walls)My mum bought polystyrene on a roll, available in all good hardware stores, and wallpapered with this before the actual wallpaper. The damp never came back through for the whole six years we lived there. She couldn't afford damp proof coursing.

Answer 6

There is no cheap way, especially when you close the windows. Is it rising damp or condensation. The latter, go buy a dehumidifier, rising, you got probs without money.

Answer 7

If your walls are going damp and staining try using bleach and leave windows open so air can circulate round the house

Answer 8

Damp is the destroyer of buildings
Take advice from an experienced tradesman!

Answer 9

first find out where the damp coming from prevention is better than the cure

Answer 10

Buy some damp rid or a de-humidifier