How do you get rid of damp?

Question

I'm buying a flat that has a flat roof and has a few damp problems and means the roof needs to be re-surfaced. The survey says we have penetrating damp in some of the walls as well......how can you get rid of this and how much will it cost?

Answer 1

You are correct in replacing the roof as the first step. If dampness has penetrated the walls, you must open them to be sure there is no rot in the framing. If there is wet insulation, it should be removed and the cavity dried before proceeding with wall repairs. This wetness will continue to be a problem in the wall even after you fix the roof unless you are able to dry it out. As far as the cost, usually construction estimates are free. Be sure to get more than one estimate, even if you repair it yourself. They may identify other problems unforseen, but necessary. Good luck.

Answer 2

Using a couple of coats of KILZ paint for the walls will help mold not to grow. Get a dehumidifier. There is also a product called DAMP RID that you can either leave in the container but have it opened, so that it will absord any dampness. You just open the containter and put it on the shelf of a closet, pantry or cabinet. You can also pour it into small plastic containers. VERY IMPORTANT if you use this product, make sure it is out of reach of children! It has to be changed out every so often. Hopefully getting the roof resurfaced will be the best thing you can do. Flat roofs are almost always a problem. Just make sure you check out the company/person you hire to resurface the roof. Ask them for references and check them out.

Answer 3

Penetrating damp means that it's coming in from outside.
Have you any leaking downpipes/overflowing gutters?
Soil levels above the damp-proof course?
The brick/block work may just need re-pointing.

It's usually a simple problem and relatively cheap to fix (unless the penetrating damp is in a basement area and you need to 'tank' the whole thing)!

Answer 4

Start with the root of your problem= roof A permanent fix for a flat roof would be a rubber roof they last 50 years+ then you can start on the walls and insulation and any structural problems that might exist. Rubber depends on the location and work to install.

Answer 5

you can buy this special paint that is insulated hang on will get more info

First treat the mould already in your home. If you deal with the basic problem, mould should not reappear.

To kill and remove mould, wipe down walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash which carries a Health and Safety Executive 'approval number'. Follow the manufacturer's instructions precisely. Dry-clean mildewed clothes, and shampoo carpets. Disturbing mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning can increase the risk of respiratory problems.

After treatment redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould. Note that this paint is not effective if overlaid with ordinary paints or wallpaper. When wallpapering, use a paste containing a fungicide to prevent further mould growth.

The only lasting way of avoiding severe mould is to eliminate dampness

Answer 6

a dehumidifyer might help or at least stop it geting worse
you need to fix the roof and walls and use anti mould paint

Answer 7

I had some mild damage like that before & it went much deeper than that. We went through my home owners ins., we called a co. by the name Service Master they were great, however we found out we had black mold behind a few walls, so what-ever u do please be careful w/ that.

Answer 8

we had damp in our house we got told to keep the radiators on a few days. it worked for us.