This pretty cottage in Sturminster Newton (DT10) had damp in three places at once: the living room's outside wall, the stairway and hallway, and the bathroom chimney breast. The bathroom and landing ceilings were stained too. The owner had seen it getting worse each winter and wanted the whole thing dealt with in one go.
What we found on the survey
Our surveyor took readings room by room and marked every damp area in blue, so the owner could see the full picture. The pattern pointed outside. This was water getting in through the walls and the chimney, not rising from the ground.
On the outside, the render had cracked and blown in places, letting rain run behind it and into the wall. Up on the roof, the bathroom chimney had tired flashings and flaunching, the lead and mortar details that seal the stack, so water was tracking down inside the chimney breast to the bathroom and ceilings below.
What we did
We fixed the outside first, so the water stopped getting in, and then restored the inside.
- Render repairs. The cracked and blown render was cut back to sound material, the wall underneath was checked, and new render was applied in patches to match the existing finish.
- Chimney repairs. We opened up the bathroom chimney, renewed the defective flashings and flaunching, and capped and ventilated the stack so it is weather-tight.
- Proofterior Dry System, living room. We stripped the living room's outside wall from floor to ceiling, removing the salt-damaged plaster, then treated the masonry and replastered with our renovating system.
- Proofterior Dry System, stairway, hallway and bathroom. The same treatment went onto the damp areas of the stairway and hallway walls and around the bathroom chimney breast.
- Ceilings. Damaged sections of the landing and bathroom ceilings were cut out, reboarded and skimmed.
Our team protected the cottage's carpets and furniture throughout and cleaned up every day. The works were planned over six working days.
The result
With the render sound and the chimney sealed, water no longer has a way in. Inside, the living room, stairway and bathroom have new, dry plaster, and the stained ceilings have been renewed. The cottage is back to looking and feeling like home.
Why we fixed the outside first
Replastering a damp wall while rain is still getting in only hides the problem for a while. Sorting the render and chimney took away the source. The internal Dry System then dealt with the salts and damage the water had left behind. Read more about penetrating damp treatment and how masonry creams and wall coatings can protect older walls.
Common questions
Is damp in old cottages always rising damp?
No. In older homes it is often rain getting in through render, pointing or chimneys. A proper survey tells you which.
Can you handle both the roof and the inside?
Yes. We managed the render, chimney, plastering and ceilings as one job, so there was one team and one plan.
Do you cover North Dorset?
Yes. We cover Sturminster Newton, Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury and the rest of Dorset.
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.