Damp in my apartment

DeVilliers

Hello

I have damp on a wall in my apartment. Paint is peeling.

The management co came out and cleared the drains. They reckon
the damp will reside now.

But how can I prove this? I want to replaster/paint asap. Ideally, before
paying for this, I'd like to know the damp problem is really solved.

Any ways to test damp is really gone?

sinnerboy

Do you open windows when cooking or drying clothes indoors ? - if not you will get damp from condensation . we have to live a little differently in our apartments vs the houses we grew up in - there is less volume in an apartment and so lack of ventilation will cause damp much quicker

Rule this out first before suspecting a construction defect

mickdw

Where is the damp? Is it adjoining another wall outside whre maybe there is a dodgy construction detail. I guess it coming from low down if drains were blamed. Whats the ground level outside compared to your floor level?

DeVilliers

Thanks for your quick responses.

The window is always open so that's not the problem. There is no evidence of condensation.

I am in the basement and my floor is level with outside for 10 feet. Then there are steps up to the garden. I have been told that the neighbours upstairs (just under the building roof) have really bad damp (much worse than mine). So I guess that would strongly indicate the blocked drains were the problem.

But even if it was the case as you suggest, and I fixed it as you suggest, how would I actually know the damp has gone.

Damp has caused the paint/plaster to crack. I'm told the damp has been taken care of but the paint/plaster is still cracked. How do I know the damp is actually gone? Is there anyone to prove this besides fixing it and waiting to see if the damp comes back?

I am worried that if I fix it now then it will come back and I've wasted my money.

I guess in every case of damp you must come across this problem. Do I need to just take a punt and see what happens?

sinnerboy

You can and should hire a damp meter before decorating

Hootanany

Was it a <SNIP> built Apartment if so dodgy construction

No more comments like this please. Infraction given

Poor Uncle Tom

Please don't do that, Hootanany.......

mickdw

I would be alittle afraid of this dampness with it being a basement property. If you have bad workmanship re the tanking (waterproofing) of the walls & floor, it could be a very major headache.