Do i need Damp Proofing?

Question

I have got a one bed flat that is on the corner of a street so has two outside walls.

Around the outside door there is alot of damp coming through, we think the seals have gone. Also there is a whole wall of damp in the upstairs bedroom, the window used to be a single glazed wooden piece of rubbish but has now been changed to double glazing.

There is currenlty no heating at all in the flat.

What is causing this damp and what type of damp is it?

Could just replaceing the seals on the doors and getting central heating fitted solve this problem? Or do i need a damp proof course?

I lived in the flat for 3 years before i started letting out to some 20 year old lad and i had absolulty no problems with damp. Could this parlty be his fault for keeping the flat heated???

Answer 1

Firstly if the damp is around the door, then yes i would say you need to reseal the door (there should be a bead of silicone were the door joins the brickwork, if not or if it has cracked open then simply reseal it with some silicone sealer/frame mastic).

As for the upstairs wall, you say the whole wall is damp, this could be caused by leaking/overflowing gutters causing water to run down the outside of the brickwork and breach to the inner wall. If it is just around the window probably same as the door.

Heating and ventilation will also help a lot with the damp.

Answer 2

Why do you have a problem with him keeping the flat heated? Do you expect him to freeze to death? Get real and get the damp proofing done. And make the place fit to live in!

Answer 3

I worked for a manufacturer of windows and doors that used the double glazing you mentioned. Often times I would take phone calls from people that replaced their windows with our products that they were having condensation problems. Your problem may be a lack of ventilation. If all of the windows & doors stay closed moisture from respiration, cooking, and bathing can't escape your home. If security isn't a problem, open a window. Maybe turn on the vent fan when your cooking so the moisture can get out of the building.

Good luck.  

Answer 4

Get three estimates from, hopefully, decent builders. It is your legal responsibility as a landlord to maintain the premises to be fit for habitation. It's people like you that think they can make money without doing bugger all for it that gives landlords a bad name. Fix it pronto!