Damp
Damp
Damp is often a problem in historic or traditional buildings experience. There are many reasons why your building might feel damp, however, the most common is poor maintenance and the use of inappropriate building materials.
Damp is commonly found in cellars, external walls, ceilings (at eaves level and those with the attic above), around chimneys and at ground floor. If you are experiencing damp problems, it is important to identify the cause of the damp. Commonly, this is caused by blocked or damaged rainwater goods, burst or damaged pipework, slipped or damaged roof slates, blocked ventilation bricks, high water table, or where ground levels have been raised directly against the building.
If you are experiencing damp problems, you should make sure your building is well ventilated, to help improve evaporation rates and reduce the risk of mould. If necessary and possible, move furniture away from ‘problem areas’ to allow better air movement. You should also check your building for general maintenance – you may wish to employ someone to do this for you, but make sure that they understand traditional building construction.
If you cannot easily identify the cause of the damp, you should employ a suitably qualified surveyor. A surveyor should carry out a survey which complies with the advice set out in British Standards BS7913 (conservation of historic buildings), BS5250 (management of moisture in buildings) and BS6576 (diagnosing raising damp) and should also follow the RICS Joint Position Statement on investigating damp in traditional buildings.
If you are experiencing damp problems in a historic or traditional building, you should avoid treating it with injected damp-proof courses, applying cement plaster or render, or other waterproofing treatments, such as tanking or paints. This is unlikely to solve the damp problem and may exacerbate the problem. If you live in a listed building, then you might need Listed Building Consent for works to address damp problems. For further advice, you should use the Council’s pre-application advice service.
Further information
SPAB
SPAB have produced several helpful resources on damp in traditional buildings, covering a range of topics. These can be found below:
RICS
RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) has produced a key document for dealing with damp in traditional buildings. Investigation of moisture and its effects on traditional buildings This sets out the principles and competencies which professionals should be following when tackling damp in traditional buildings.
Historic England
Historic England have produced guidance on Conservation Accreditation for Professionals. This may be useful if you need to engage a specialist to sort you damp problem. Historic England have produced guidance on Conservation Accreditation for Professionals. This may be useful if you need to engage a specialist to sort you damp problem. Historic England also have guidance on the importance of using a specialist who is experienced with working on traditional buildings – How to Find the Right Professional Help.