Damp

[ph13]

In older french properties is dampness a problem to be treated or a fact of life which is minimaised by adequate ventilation? I previusly owned an old house in UK and despite an injection damp course, it would still smell damp if left closed up for a period of time.

Peter

[cslee]

Whwn we were looking to buy all the houses were damp even the "done up ones" . We are going to put in an elecro-osmotic course. If the Dpc is done right it should not be damp BY RISING DAMP but you may be getting penetrating damp or condensation. In England many DPC. firms did poor jobs - even when guaranteed - don't know what the firms are like in France - IF REGISTERED they should give a 10 year guarantee Check!!!!

[Anton Redman]

Our second house is in the Haute Vienne which is an area of high rainfall. Since we had the roof repaired, installed gutters and striped the ivy from the front it has not been or smelt damp. We normally close the house up in October and make are first visit in March. It has a tiled roof with about two feet of overhang. The walls are stone muck and mostly lime pointing. It does not have a damp course.

When we first open up there is a slight musty smell but half an hour with the windows open clears everything.

[Mjc]

Dampness comes in many forms. Rising damp through walls - including external walls if they make contact with the ground. Rising damp again through floors which do not have a damp proof membrane. Penetrating damp through external walls, either from years of rain water soaking or from, for example, broken rain water down pipes. Water seeping through leaky roofs, either from displaced tiles of from tiles which have become porous or damaged.
The biggest problem is usually trying to find the source of the damp and although all are curable, perhaps a bigger problem is finding the cash! The problem is certainly not unique to France, but does seem to be more prevalent because so many old houses have been left empty and neglected for very many years.
Good luck!

[Maggiemortimer]

In a previous thread someone recommended placing washing up bowls full of salt in rooms to counter the dampness that occurs in an unoccupied house. We now do this, and have passed the suggestion on to others, and it really seems to work well.
This winter will be the greatest test, but it certainly proved effective during a very rainy spring.
The salt can be re-used, just dry it off in the oven.
Maggie