Home DIY

Or a few reams of photocopier paper

Every morning the flat section of wall beneath the window is wet to the touch. The bottom half of the window is no longer functioning as it should as there is a condensation build up each morning between the layers. I’ve not been up on a ladder to check the seals outside on the sill but the internal wall moisture is there each morning regardless of whether it rains overnight or not. I’ve been running a dehumidifier to pull moisture out of the room but wondering if anyone has any insight or similar experience?

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Very similar to what happened to our bedroom bay window during the storms last year. Massive water ingress through failed external frame seals, which saturated the masonry and continues to dry out through to the interior surface, resulting in sopping wet plaster.

If this has happened in your case, no amount of dehumidifying is gonna sort it unfortunately; it’s a plaster-off job :(

Make sure the window is well-sealed externally first tho.

Thanks for the insight. Hope yours is sorted now. We’re wondering about replacing the window longterm as the lower pane is defective anyway.. Next week looks dry so I plan to jump up a ladder and take a good look at all the external seals. We’re in Cornwall so it rains, a lot.

Ours is still fucked, massive damp patches all around the bottom of the bay window. Gotta wait until the main building work is done, then move all our crap out of the bedroom and deal with it properly.

I know that feel.

I'm in the process of buying my first home, should get the survey back tomorrow but this kind of stuff is terrifying. Have no idea how much things such as these damp issues cost to fix and pretty sure it will need a rewire which seems massive.

Telling you that the house needs a rewire appears to be a survey default. Ignore it.

Damp, get someone to check, these surveys are by non professionals and don't really tell you anything your eyeball won't, if you are worried then identify the appropriate professional and arrange for them to visit the property before you get too far into the purchase to quote for any work.

This thread is truly a goldmine of knowledge from people who have been round the track a time or two, made and learned from mistakes, and who will generously share there experiences with absolutely zero vested interest. It's a shame it isn't more searchable, but there have been plenty of sensible conversations on damp, it's causes and remedies.

It is a horrible shit scary process though. Don't let the survey panic you (especially if it is something like a Victorian house which has stuck around for north of 100 years.) but do post concerns here. As @Grumpy_Git says, it's unlikely that the electrics have suddenly become a concern just because the house is changing hands, even if they are outdated.

Thanks, and yes this forum seems like a goldmine for all sorts and I'm grateful for it.

It's an 1890's (according to the surveyor), 3 bed end terrace in Crystal Palace/Thornton Heath (which I think is a not too far from a hotspot of LFGSSers as I see a lot of CP, Norwood chat on here).

unlikely that the electrics have suddenly become a concern just because the house is changing hands, even if they are outdated

True, but electrics like plumbing are things people sort once and then neglect unless something goes pop so you really don't know what corruption they're in and there are plenty of tales of horror in this and the DIY thread.
Also bear in mind that if you want to change something about the electrics it may involve bringing some or all of the rest up to modern standards.
Consider getting an EICR (condition report) which should rule out a bunch of basic problems.

Wall successfully removed.

Smashing stuff can be very therapeutic

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Rewires are a big job, budget £3k-£7k but more than that it's a big invasive job, pulling up floor boards, knocking holes in every wall etc. But it may not be needed. I'm sure others in this thread will be able to help if you put up your report in here.

Waves from Thornton Heath Rec

Whereabouts?

Mine could probably do with a re-wire. But the spark who did our consumer unit said he was able to get good enough readings off the existing wiring for it to not be necessary. They only had to track down a fault in the kitchen, which was ironically the newest bit of the house.

Does anyone have any expierence with heating systems? Ive got a good newish boilder, but the all the pipes coming through the floor are mega corrorded. That and the floor is a nightmare (+-10 rises and dips across it, got wet when the roof failed) so that will have to come up anyway, was thinking maybe a good time for new radiators etc. What I dont know, is if the copper pipes are in the slab (is this a thing? 1960's house in Hanwell) and if thats the case, is replacing them a good idea if Im pulling up the floor anyway?

Thanks, I have been after another desk pole for a while and I just got one of those amazon sets off eBay for £14 posted.
Shame amazon dont seem to do them any more

Finally finished installing our new rads. Classic column style. These were the cheapest ‘nice’ rads I could find, only £180 from ebay. Recommended. (Grumpy cat not included).

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They do look nice so would be curious for a review in a few weeks and the link :)

If anyone was waiting for a conclusion, I just licked the stamp and fucking sent it.

Couldn't be bothered with over thinking everything as it was really dragging me down. The left hand brackets have gone into some sort of solid material behind the plasterboard. That happened purely by chance. The right hand are using the plasterboard fixings. Feels insanely solid.

I now have everything around me when I'm cooking which is perfect.

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Yes the knife rack looks terrible there but I don't know where else to move it to that works, so I'm just leaving it there for now.

🚨 Parkside plunge saw in stock from Sunday 🚨

What is the rechargeable stick beyond GrumpyCat?

I got one last year and now I can’t change the blade because the bolt used appears to be made of butter.

almost exactly what we bought 3 years ago, in cR7 TH/CP border. Hi!