Whiff of damp but no visual signs

Lucyspell

Hello
We had an extension built over the garage of a 1970s semi about 15 years ago. In the last three or four years there is a whiff of damp or mould around the front window, but nothing to see. We are very careful to keep the room heated and ventilated at all times. I would like to know who is the correct person to contact to fix this.
Would a structural engineer be able to solve this? Also is there any device to show what is going on in the wall, or which would detect damp or mould.
There is also a damp smell developing in the utility room, in concrete floor and near a window. Again nothing to see there. We are very keen to correct this
Thanks in advance for any advice

BryanF

Wall dry-lining ?

newacc2015

You can buy a damp meter
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Approved-Detector-Moisture-Tester-Meter/dp/B00CO54ZUK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1446039975&sr=8-2&keywords=damp+meter+for+walls

It marks the wall with little holes. But you will tell you the moisture levels in the wall. Its good to see in room if the likes of a leaking gutter is making a room damp. You can buy them in Dublin. But when my father brought his. It was like €120 for the cheapest one

Lucyspell

Yes the wall was dry lined. I feel that the window is incorrectly fitted perhaps. But a builder took a look at it last year from the outside and inside and couldn't spot a problem..

Lucyspell

newacc2015 wrote: »

You can buy a damp meter
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Approved-Detector-Moisture-Tester-Meter/dp/B00CO54ZUK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1446039975&sr=8-2&keywords=damp+meter+for+walls

It marks the wall with little holes. But you will tell you the moisture levels in the wall. Its good to see in room if the likes of a leaking gutter is making a room damp. You can buy them in Dublin. But when my father brought his. It was like €120 for the cheapest one

Thanks for reply, that is very interesting, I didn't know such a thing existed. I am sure I can smell mould so it definitely should detect where the problem is.

sydthebeat

Lucyspell wrote: »

Thanks for reply, that is very interesting, I didn't know such a thing existed. I am sure I can smell mould so it definitely should detect where the problem is.

it wont detect why the moisture is there though, it will only tell you where.

Lucyspell

Yes, that is true, and I think I need an expert to find the cause and the solution. Would a structural engineer be the person to contact. I live in Galway and would appreciate a recommendation.
Thanks for your reply

Metric Tensor

If you get a smell of mould there is a possibility that it is growing on the wall behind the dry-lining.

The only way to know this for sure would be to remove a section of dry-lining and inspect what is there. That is quite invasive as replastering and repainting will be required afterwards even if nothing is found to be amiss.

BryanF

1. Type of Ventilation in the room?

2. And wall build up layers of materials and thickness) inside to outside?