Problem Damp in Portuguese houses
Its that time of year when we have heavy rainstorms and high winds that highlight leaking roofs, badly fitting doors and damp patches on walls and ceilings.
Do you have Problem Damp ?
Rising damp, condensation, penetrating damp, water leaks, no damp proof course, saltaire are all names that we dread as usually it means that we will be paying out a lot of money and not necessarily getting a solution to the problem. Indeed companies have made fortunes offering “solutions” to damp problems for years.
There are things that work and cost nothing !
The first thing is to improve ventilation open windows or doors on opposite sides of the house to improve through ventilation. Its not an instant fix but you should start to see changes after 3 days.
Secondly let’s have a look at what sort of damp we have. ?
Is it coming from above, below or through the wall ?
Is it a damp patch or water actually running down the wall ?
Is it localized or throughout the property ?
This photograph shows a wall in a stair well that is also below ground level and has poor ventilation. 
There is the added complication of it also being were the washing machine is installed. Potentially providing all of the problems raised above “Rising damp, condensation, penetrating damp, water leaks, no damp proof course, salitre.
We removed the skirting boards and effected plaster/render. Improved the areas ventilation and let the area dry for a while. It soon became evident that the problem was caused by a cast iron water pipe that had been built into the wall. It was running just above the skirting and causing condensation because it was the coldest part of the wall.
We insulated the pipe, re plastered the damaged area and then used a two part sealer to prevent moisture effecting the new plaster which was then painted over.
Problem solved.
