help please on damp problem

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 18:25

Hi I have a damp problem in my new but unoccupied apartment it is in most rooms and its not fussy high,low or middle of the walls and its fluro green in some places. Is this a problem with the cement mix is it lime,sand ,can it be sealed or treated please help!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks nico

mixie


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 18:31

Where about are you in the building?Ie which floor. My husband is a builder. If you are on the bottom floor, they might not have laid a damp proof course, but of course he is not a builder in Cyprus and there could some other explanation.

M

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 18:34

no damp proof course in cyprus , earthquake zone ??

mixie


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 18:47

Thats exactly what I was trying to say. He's a builder in Britain not in cyprus. He hasn't built in Cyprus. The other thing he has suggested is that it could be fungus which you might be able to treat.

M

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 19:28

thanks mixie its the top floor apartment but i have been told it is also out side on the roof terrace chimeny pot sorry for spelling mistakes lol nic

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 20:27

Hi nico44,



You will find that most people who buy properties here will experience this problem. It has nothing to do with damp courses or the concrete mix. After 2 - 3 years it starts appearing and all you can do is rub it down, patch it up and paint it. Inside try some damp proof paint or pva solution and this might help stop it coming back for a couple of years. Our developer/builder builds to a high spec and it has taken three years for it to appear in our bungalow but this summer it is in every room. If any owners know of a permenant solution I am willing to listen and try it.



The butlers wife

mixie


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 22:11

Hi there Nic,

Husband says it may be effluresence(not sure how this is spelt)......which basically means lime is leeching out of the building materials even including concrete. It also comes out of mortar beds. It is generally caused by water damage but can be cleaned up.



If it is this it can be fixed by applying a waterproofer.

Of course we can't see your problem so can't say but hope this helps.

m

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 22:37

thanks butler will try it all lol nico

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 22:39

thanks mixie will try it all and thank hubby as well nic

Hatty


Joined: 13/07/2008
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 22:40

It is almost certainly lack of ventilation.

mixie


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 23:35

Just as an aside. Husband says also that the problem can happen or be made much worse by poor building sand. If the sand has say come from the beach and not been thoroughly washed it retains salts which eventually leech out onto the surface. He says you should be able to tell this because it would look white initially but could turn a greeny mouldy colour when water, damp hits it

Mixie

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 23:36

Hi Hatty,



This is not the case in our property, as it has been occupied all year round. We are not talking about condensation here but as mixie states salts leeching out of the plaster.





The butlers wife

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 23:47

Rowlo



"no damp proof course in cyprus , earthquake zone ?? "



Of course they use damp proof in cyprus not all the biulders thats for sure...

theres many different types .



nico44.

seems you have a problem ,1. When new day & night " ventilation" Open all the Windows

2. Have you Garantee ? Get in touch with the Biulder.

3. Chip a small hole in the plaster & Check to see if your brickwork is damp?

if its dry ? then the problem is with the plaster materials but if you find the brickwork is wet you,ll have to search outside there must be weak point where the water is penetrating inside.

Show the Biulder also take Photos make sure the dates on them get them signed by the biulder. I hope for you the problem lies with the plaster maybe there was some sort of chemical (Oil /diesel) in the water they used why,ll mixing the plaster ?hope you find the

Blackpoolfan


Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 1568

Message Posted:
23/05/2009 23:56

The lady next door to me asked if i would look at her damp patch, i nearly choked on my glass of wine.........

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 10:53

Hi,

I had a persistent damp problem in my place in Spain, not caused by leaks or failed DPC, but by the temperature in the house dropping below dew point, and the humid air condensing into damp patches which then grew mould.

The answer throughout the winter, and even in summer when unoccupied was to fit 2 vents one at high level and one at low level, in different parts of the house, and run an oil filled radiator on low for a couple of hours via a time switch.



after the first winter of suffering mouldy walls and bedding, the second winter was warm and dry with no mould even where the bedding was left touching the walls.



it created just enough airflow to prevent condensation, low tech answer but very successful.



best regards

TonyE

Cyprusactive


Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 11:26

Most of the damp to which you refer will be caused by condensation, It is correct that lime is used in the plasters here and that it is hydroscopic, absorbs water. Windows here are not fitted with trickle vents so although damp and condensation are not apparent, as such, the higher humidity will allow the salts to effloresce, that is when they appear as light fluffy, cotton wool like crystals. You can taste them and they taste cool as they are often Magnesium ( Epson Salts) though I do not wish to promote wall licking! untreated they will eventuallay allow mould to form. At Cyprus Solutions we have a large diamond core drill and fi't Hit and Miss' vents, like the old air bricks. Works very well, usually solves the problem, a major source of extra humidity is un ducted cooker hoods, again we do then, not expensive and very effective. Call John on 0533 836 7094

Regards

Nick

Mr Fixit.

HighlandCoo


Joined: 22/03/2009
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 13:15

Hi, my sister arrived at her villa last night and when she went in it smelled damp and the damp is everywhere. Bedding etc is damp to touch, black mould on walls and in cuboards, also on the outside walls. The tiles in the living area had white crystals on them. Apart from the fact that she wanted to sit down and cry, she will be cleaning for the start of her hols. Any advise i can pass on to her.

Thanks

HighlandCoo

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 14:07

Hi Mixie thats sounds about right beach sand was probably used but is there a cure for this !!!!!!!!!! thanks nic

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 14:11

Cyprus active Mr fix it Nick could you quote for this job please will be in TRNC on the 18th June could we meet at the apartment cause lots of other problems Thanks Nic

Bladerunner


Joined: 10/01/2009
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 14:33

try giving a good airing open windows new render or plaster needs to dry . sounds like what we used to call salt peter. in uk we use an additive to stop this . rub walls down and if you can get an antifungle solution use over efected area then paint once dry .I would not use pva as this stops the walls breathing and could hold damp in walls

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 16:31

thanks bladerunner thats a god tip nic

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 19:03

beno12 , you wont find many brick built structures here , theyre shuttered concrete ,

HighlandCoo


Joined: 22/03/2009
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 20:27

Thank you for the advice, i will pass it on.

HighlandCoo

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 22:23

Rowlo, they (not all biulders) damp-course the concrete shells before they lay the first course (2nd course allso) of the brickwork allso they have started useing bitumen on the outside of the foundations( framework )below ground level which acts as a damp protection..

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 22:26

YOU CANT DAMPCOURSE BELOW GROUND LEVEL ??????

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 23:06

Hi Man ! DAMP PROTECTION .........STOP DAMP RISING !!!!PROTECTS THE FOUNDATIONS!!!!......

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 23:13

Then how do you stop damp in the cellar !!! explain to me..........do say there is,nt any hause biult in n.c with for e.g below ground garage or even a cellar...

Bladerunner


Joined: 10/01/2009
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
25/05/2009 09:49

beno12 you are right mess 24 in cellars we call it tanking out with bitumen then render over stops damp

RedSnapper


Joined: 12/08/2008
Posts: 540

Message Posted:
25/05/2009 12:41

Slightly off thread but may be of use to some, a product i have just used in a 130y.o building here in England to cure rising damp only, is one that as i see in front of my very eyes working.

It is used by drilling a 12mm hole about 3" above your ground floor level and about every 4" along and injecting a 1ltr cartridge of creme into the wall. The chemical transgresses into the wall and forms a barrier over a few days and repels the water-no more rising damp...it works and is permanent.

Works with all substrates cement, lime, brick, concrete anything it can soak into and the damper the better as this pulls the product in.

Easily packed into a suitcase.

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
25/05/2009 21:44

Thanks Bladerunner, try telling that to Rowlo and he,s a Joiner !!!!



Redsnapper. interesting ,I,ve used something like that too but was injecting a special chemical .

michelle3012


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 578

Message Posted:
25/05/2009 22:25

Redsnapper



Is the product your talking about made by a company called DRY TREAT? As Dry Treat Make a similar product which is available in TRNC.

Also bringing in Flamable Chemicals by plane are Banned, so you should read the labels carefully before you buy anything in UK and pack it in your suitcase!!

RedSnapper


Joined: 12/08/2008
Posts: 540

Message Posted:
25/05/2009 23:21

you can buy it off ebay now and its called Aida by a company called remmers, available in a professional kit or by the litre tube or packs of 10.

Dont think its flammable and its BAB approved with technical spec sheet etc describing chemical reaction and instructions, its easy and it works and you can do it yaself without paying daft money out to companies.

Nottingham building regs have passed my installation last week...

Bladerunner


Joined: 10/01/2009
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 10:41

Injection treatment does not solve all the time if cavity wall which not many in trnc and blockage in cavity above damp course will still have problem in uk we cut away 3m high all around external walls and some times enternal and use water proofer in the sand and cement render no more damp.

Bladerunner


Joined: 10/01/2009
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 10:51

Sorry not 3m 1m high

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 14:26

"Flamable Chemicals by plane are Banned"



michelle, if you fill your left over sun -cream bottles with any flamable chemicals for e.g. rust protect coating which I needed and could not buy quality rust protecter(industrial) in n.c.



I did this and managed to get the substance in my suitcase on the plane ..."but would you risk it?...I only did because I needed the stuff but it shows you its possible..manage to get 2Ltrs back to n.c.

mixie


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 15:47

On an aisde/

How common are damp problems? My husband is having kittens thinking about thisnow. He's so used to dealing with this in the Scotland but in Cyprus! I think he feels now that the building standards are quite poor and that we might end up with a place (if we buy resale) with damp problems "built in" because he was not there to oversee it. Buying off plan appears to be a no no. Can anyone help? I don't want him changing his mind before we get over there in the next few weeks for the purposes of buying!

M

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 16:08

Hi mixie,



Don't be put off by these postings, if you are only going to buy a holiday home. make certain that you put the vents in the windows to increase air flow through the property. If it is a new build make certain you spend a good amount of time there before closing it up for the winter, so that the plaster can dry out properly. Don't forget that the properties here are not built to traditional british methods. This island has a meditteranean climate but the winters are cold and damp and if your property is locked up for the winter peiod it will suffer.

If you take precautions, you should be alright.



The butlers wife

Cyprusraider


Joined: 08/04/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 16:12

Always very high humidity on the coast. Most places suffer from "Damp".

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 16:18

Hi Buters wife



You said If you take precautions, you should be alright.



What should we be looking at doing? We will be there for holidays only so the place will be locked up for a while at a time and I really dont want to spend my holdiays cleaning up for the firt few days etc.

Sheila

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 17:35

Hi mint 1955,



There are some simple things you can do if you do not have anyone who can go into your property to open windows now and then for you.



The trickle vents fitted in to windows in the UK for ventilation are never fitted in the TRNC. Do this as soon as possible, they don't cost a lot of money but will do the trick if you leave them open. Leave all internal doors to your property open when you leave. This will give you a through flow of air throughout the property. Leave all wardrobe and cupboard doors open a little, again this stops any mould growing. These are some of the measures you can take. I am sure other owners will have more advice.



The butlers wife

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 21:08

thanks for that red will go on ebay and have a look nico

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 21:13

Hi beno thanks for all the help but just to let you know hun i work in aviation and what u just told me about sneaking flammables on board made my toes curl lol

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
26/05/2009 22:57

Hi nico ups but my foot in it there did,nt I...good thing I fly from Germany and not the UK otherwise you,d be looking out for me eeeeeeeeeee.

nico44


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
27/05/2009 15:18

Hi benon hun yes i would be after u because if you had seen the films i have to what happens when these things explode in the hold you not only would your toes curl but other parts as well lol nic

Cyprusactive


Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
27/05/2009 16:55

Damp is a fact of life here. The building methods are not as sophisticated as the UK but then in reality they do not have too much rain. When we lived in Wales one year we had rain every day for a Janurary and Febuary, such disregard for build quality would have been a disaster. Injection can work but the hollow terracota block, most commonly used for infill panels have large voids in then so the injected fluid can be squirted into fresh air! I am not so certain that the injection materials offered are spirit based as they are normally water based and therefore are non flamable.

Damp has to be treated in a set order, exclude sources of damp, seal windows, (not silicon), guttering, make sure down pipes do not fall onto the concrete plinth but are taken over the edge, reseal the upstand tiles on patio etc, fit guttering even silicon spray the wall to prevent damp penetration, again most silicons offered here are spirit based and are not the best to use.

Cyprusactive


Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
27/05/2009 17:04

cont...Only when damp is exluded can you tackle the symptoms. Hack off very damp plaster areas and probably remove the upstand tiles and allow to dry, leave windows open as much as possible. This time of year a dehumidifier is not needed, (shame as we rent then out!). As others have mentioned ventilation and damp air extraction is then needed. Trickle vents are great but cannot normally be retrofitted to PVC and Aluminium windows. We install vents and it has to be said that they are very effective. John of Cyprus Soluitions on 0533 836 7094 will do a free survey.

There was a mention of tanking, ie black bitumen coating to under ground concrete. Very good if done properly, I have yet to see it done properly.

Regards

Nick

Mr Fixit.

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
27/05/2009 21:16

Hi Cyprusactive, excellent reply very helpfull to many owners.



I would just like to add...

"Tanking, ie black bitumen coating to under ground concrete. Very good if done properly, I have yet to see it done properly. "



Is very straight forward:

Render the concrete ca 0.50 > 1.00 cm make sure the base is well cleaned from loose left overs from the render make a round curve with a bottle at the base with the render helps rain water flow away from the construction apply the bitumen 2 coates after a good drying period back fill with peebles up to ground level ca 50 cm wide from the bitumen.You can also place plastic curving sheeting against the bitumen to help the air circulation around the biulding .



Chris

beno12



Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 124

Message Posted:
27/05/2009 21:19

nico 44, your dead right won,t being trying anything like that again...