Possible dampness or something else?

Dinarius

Around the door frame of an internal door, in the hallway of our apartment are dark grey streaks.

They are predominantly above the top of the door and running down the side of the door on both sides.

They are evenly spread.

If we paint over them, they reappear after about a month.

The area doesn't feel damp, but that's not to say it isn't.

Who can diagnose and repair such a problem?

Is this a job for a builder, or are there specialists in this area?

Thanks.

D.

Calahonda52

Can you post some pictures please?

Dinarius

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Can you post some pictures please?

Thanks for the reply.

Not there today.

Will do tomorrow.

D.

Dinarius

Here are some photos of the problem.

It is a basement apartment in a two-storey over basement house.

The front door of the apartment (brown, with glass, just visible in one of the pics) is under the stairs leading up to the first floor of the house above.

This door leads to a tiny outer hall which is also under the stairs leading to the house above.

Then a second door (off-white, also visible in the pics) separates the outer hall of the apartment from the main hall.

The problem is in the outer hall, and just inside to door leading to the inner hall.

If it dampness, we're not sure if it's rising or falling.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

D.

Dinarius

One more photo...

Thanks.

D.

BryanF

When was apartment block constructed ?

Calahonda52

So is this a ground floor flat in a terrace of houses that are two-story over ground?
Basement to me means underground or substantially under ground.
This I believe is not so its a ground floor flat.
Something like this

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.329338,-6.2535644,3a,75y,155.59h,85.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-kAn3ATQmktwCBhpEbJsSg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1?hl=en

The stairs to the house above is probably granite and my guess is that its damp from the stairs.
However we will need external pictures to shed some light on it.

Dinarius

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, it is in a terrace of two-storey over basement houses.

But, it was built as in-fill. So, it's about 20 years old, having been made to look like the houses on either side.

Unlike the typical granite-stepped stairs you find in these Dublin red brick houses, the stairs in this house is tiled.

The upper floors are definitely brick - it's visible. The basement apartments are plastered.

If the problem is coming through the tiles on the stairs above, then it's a management committee problem. If it's rising from inside the apartment, then it's our problem - I think!

Would like to get to the bottom of it either way.

Thanks.

D.

Calahonda52

Any chance of some external pictures, including the stairs.
If my analysis is right, most of the damp is in the area under the stairs.

Is this a new problem?

What is the water vapour load in the flat and what is the ventilation system ?

Dinarius

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Any chance of some external pictures, including the stairs.
If my analysis is right, most of the damp is in the area under the stairs.

Is this a new problem?

What is the water vapour load in the flat and what is the ventilation system ?

You are correct in your supposition.

There is a cubby-hole (storage) for the apartment that is under the stairs.

This has a separate entrance door, right next to the main entrance door to the apartment.

We have had dampness issues there before. Not sure if they've been fully dealt with.

But, how do those marks appear inside the inner hall door in the main hall of the apartment?

Anyway, will try and get some pics of the stairs, but it will be later this week.

Many thanks.

D.

Calahonda52

No problem will await pictures: you also need to help us with the water vapour load/ventilation methodology for the whole apt and has that changed

The other thing we don't know is if when the infill was built, are you looking at what were the original external walls of the pre-infill houses if you follow me, especially inside he main hall door

Dinarius

Here are some external pics.

Any the wiser?

Thanks.

Dinarius

And three more...

Thanks.

D.

BryanF

Single glazing? No wall insulation?

BryanF

Cracked tiles

Take your pick

dathi

1, there is no ventilation in your hall (one for your shed though)
2, how are the walls insulated.
3, how is the concrete steps insulated between it and the ceiling of your hall.
4,what heating is there in the hall and how often is it on

Dinarius

1. Yes, no vent in the hall. One in the bedroom, but probably not open very much.
2. No idea how the walls are insulated.
3. Don't know about what's between the steps and the hall ceiling. I suspect that's a big part of the problem though.
4. Electric storage. I think they have it on one hour morning/evening.

There is an open fireplace in the living room, which is never used. I think they have put something up it to reduce heat loss. That probably doesn't help either.

They are from a warm climate and find it difficult here in winter. They are fantastic tenants - there 5 years now. So, an awkward situation to balance.

We are about to replace front door and patio door with triple glazing. Both not visible from front of building. Not replacing bedroom window coz we can't persuade other three owners to do likewise.

Once they are replaced and stairs tiling is addressed, will have to insist on open vent in bedroom and nothing blocking chimney.

Thanks for the reply.

D.

Calahonda52

I thought you were occupying it: hence no clue on vapour load..
TG for this is a waste of mula in my view: as well as everything else, unless the ventilation is sorted the TG will create even more mould.
How is bathroom ventilated?
Extractor in kitchen?
Consider humidity driven fans, not for bedroom as they are too noisy.
You can't expect them to open up the chimney: if I was consulted by them on it I would say you were being unreasonable as the idea here is controlled ventilation, which the chimney is clearly not.
Will you get agreement to redo all the tiles, looks like a shared step.
Keep well and good luck

Dinarius

If it's established that the issue is external, then it's a management committee expense.

Extractors in both kitchen and bathroom.

TG was only an extra 10%.

Also, there will be trickle vents in new patio doors. Not in existing ones.

Thanks.

D.