The owners of this home in Salisbury (SP1) had damp along the lower walls of their open-plan dining and living room. Paint was spoiling, the plaster felt cold and soft, and the problem was worst on the walls facing the back garden. They wanted it fixed properly, once, with a finish they could decorate and forget about.
What we found on the survey
Our surveyor took moisture readings across every wall in the room. The readings were high up to roughly a metre from the floor, and we marked the affected areas in blue so the owners could see exactly what was wet and what was not.
The outside of the house explained why. At the back, the ground and paving sat close against the wall, so rainwater was being held where it could soak into the masonry. Underneath the floor, there was not enough airflow to let the subfloor dry out. Treating the inside wall alone would only have dealt with half of the problem.
What we did
We put together a plan that dealt with the water outside and the damage inside.
- French drain across the back of the property. We dug a trench along the whole rear of the house and installed a French drain. It collects groundwater and rainwater before it reaches the wall and carries it safely away, which takes the pressure off the masonry.
- Two new subfloor air bricks. We installed two air bricks to get air moving under the floor again, so the void can stay dry.
- Proofterior Dry System to 1 metre. Inside, we stripped the damp and salt-damaged plaster from every affected wall in the dining and living room. We then fitted our breathable membrane system and replastered, leaving a dry, sound wall ready for decoration.
The whole job, inside and out, took six working days. Our team kept the working areas sheeted and protected and cleared away each day.
The result
The new plaster is drying out ahead of decoration, and the walls are now protected from both sides. Outside, water is drained away from the house instead of sitting against it. Underneath, the subfloor can breathe. Inside, the Dry System gives a clean, dry surface that will not be spoiled by salts left in the old wall.
Why we treated the outside as well
It is easy to sell an internal fix on its own. But if water is still being held against the wall, it keeps loading the masonry year after year. The French drain and air bricks take away the cause, and the Dry System deals with the damage. Together they give a result that lasts. Read more about our rising damp solutions and penetrating damp treatment.
Common questions
How long before I can decorate?
New plaster needs time to dry. We will give you clear guidance on when to paint and what paint to use.
Do I always need a French drain?
No. We only recommend one where ground water at the wall is part of the cause, as it was here.
Do you work across Salisbury?
Yes. Our Salisbury team covers the city and the surrounding villages, and we work across Wiltshire.
Seeing the same signs at home?
Book a complimentary In-Depth Survey and one of our ISSE-accredited surveyors will find the cause, show you the readings and give you a written, itemised quote. Call 01202 287503 or request a callback. We'll phone you back within 5 minutes.