Print this pageFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you’re confronted with dampness and timber problems for the first time, remember that many other home owners will probably have had to deal with them as well, so here’s how you can benefit from their experience – by browsing through the questions we are most frequently asked.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, then go to our ‘Ask the Experts’ page and let us help you on a one-to-one basis.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, then go to our ‘Ask the Experts’ page and let us help you on a one-to-one basis.
I have just bought a 1960's bungalow and have recently discovered that the outside wall in the bedroom area is wet at the bottom. The previous owners have fixed polystyrene to the walls and mould has now started to appear.Could this be rising damp ?
It is highly unlikely to be a rising damp problem because all modern houses like this are built with a damp proof course and the edge of this should be visible on the outside.
In theory the dpc might have failed locally but again this is unlikely given the modern materials used.
The more probable culprit is condensation particularly given that the wall has been lined with polystyrene. Mould growth is usually a tell tale sign of this.
Bedrooms, especially spare rooms which are used irregularly, can be prone to condensation because of lower heating levels and air circulation. Polystyrene panels are more usually found on ceilings where they can help to prevent heat loss but on a wall they could just be serving to prevent any moisture in the masonry wall evaporating naturally. You might wish to consider removing a test panel and see if the damp persists.
