Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 2May 28, 2019 10:19 pm I’m no expert on rising damp...but I would digging down under bricks alongside concrete slab (go fairly deep into soil) and see if they maybe forgot to install the plastic membrane that should e underneath the entire concrete slab to stop moisture from the soil through the concrete and into the building structure. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check our Homeone build blog here Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 4May 28, 2019 11:39 pm The DPC is the (typically) black plastic strip that is installed below the course of bricks that also include your weep holes. This in theory will prevent moisture migrating via capillary action from below this level to the brickwork above. But it’s main purpose is to provide a water barrier for moisture trapped behind your brick wall....hitting the DPC and evaporating or draining out via the weep holes. The plastic membrane I was referring to is layed over the soil, prior to the concrete being poured.....well there are other things that happen before concrete pour but you get the general idea hopefully. This plastic separates the ground moisture from rising through into the concrete foundations and building structure. This membrane may have been installed but not correctly...maybe it didn’t come up the sides of the slab adequately and this has allowed water to seep into the base of the concrete? Maybe inspect the bare concrete in the garage to see for any visible issues there? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check our Homeone build blog here Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 6May 29, 2019 7:47 am darb74 The DPC is the (typically) black plastic strip that is installed below the course of bricks that also include your weep holes. This in theory will prevent moisture migrating via capillary action from below this level to the brickwork above. But it’s main purpose is to provide a water barrier for moisture trapped behind your brick wall....hitting the DPC and evaporating or draining out via the weep holes. The plastic membrane I was referring to is layed over the soil, prior to the concrete being poured.....well there are other things that happen before concrete pour but you get the general idea hopefully. This plastic separates the ground moisture from rising through into the concrete foundations and building structure. This membrane may have been installed but not correctly...maybe it didn’t come up the sides of the slab adequately and this has allowed water to seep into the base of the concrete? Maybe inspect the bare concrete in the garage to see for any visible issues there? Thank you Darb, I will have a look at the concrete, when the inspector checked for mositure on all four sides of the garage, it looked fine.. I want to know if there is specialist who can check and give me a green signal about the purchase or suggest a long term solution for this. I hear a lot of rising damp stories on H1 soil with waffle slabs and I don't want mine to be another one. Should I refer this to the plumber/ landscaper or damp specialist? Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 8May 29, 2019 12:44 pm My project manager builder who builds from beginner up to architectural homes says he never uses concrete bricks as they soak up moisture and don't last as well, ask Alex79 or insider or saveH20,building expert, Any can give a true reflection of what to generally expect from concrete bricks. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 9May 29, 2019 2:38 pm Generally concrete structures in contact with damp/soil require waterproofing. The plastic membrane under the slab (and footings) protects damp from getting into the house, but looks like your issue is rather on the external walls, so theoretically should be handled with DPC, but also the lowest brick would have to be waterproofed as it stays in contact with the soil. Can you do some minor digging and take a photo at the actual connection between one of your affected bricks and the slab? Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 10May 29, 2019 3:10 pm viju_009 Thank you so much for the reply, I found this note from the inspector in the report, any thoughts on this?? Damp Proof Course " A damp proof course (DPC) was noted' Where was it noted? The concrete looks high to me. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 11May 29, 2019 3:21 pm It's was noted on the exterior walls of the living room which faces the backyard. The inspector made a special note on the salt deposits on the bricks which is at the foot of the fall. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 12May 29, 2019 3:26 pm alexp79 Generally concrete structures in contact with damp/soil require waterproofing. The plastic membrane under the slab (and footings) protects damp from getting into the house, but looks like your issue is rather on the external walls, so theoretically should be handled with DPC, but also the lowest brick would have to be waterproofed as it stays in contact with the soil. Can you do some minor digging and take a photo at the actual connection between one of your affected bricks and the slab? Yes I can, I have requested the builder for an independent inspection, but I am not sure whom to ask, damp experts says it's not their job. Should I see a plumber or a water proofing expert to carry out this inspection ?? Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 13May 29, 2019 3:26 pm Possible it's the water trickling over the window sill and leaving salts deposits , have you got other brick window sills with same efflorescence issue underneath? Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 14May 29, 2019 3:28 pm Because if you look at the aluminium frame it too has what looks like white powdery salt deposits , possibly from water trickling down from above?? Just a theory. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 15May 29, 2019 4:50 pm The white stain seems to be originating from the grout, I think it’s called efflorescence and is commonly associated with concrete bricks. I think you can get a product at hardware stores to get rid of this stain and seal the bricks. I don’t think it’s rising damp. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 16May 29, 2019 5:58 pm sweetswisssteel Because if you look at the aluminium frame it too has what looks like white powdery salt deposits , possibly from water trickling down from above?? Just a theory. Thank you for the reply. Thats an interesting point, I had a look around the house, its there in another place as well but there is no window or aluminium frame there. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 17May 29, 2019 5:59 pm Zorro6 The white stain seems to be originating from the grout, I think it’s called efflorescence and is commonly associated with concrete bricks. I think you can get a product at hardware stores to get rid of this stain and seal the bricks. I don’t think it’s rising damp. This is exactly what the agent and the representative from builder said and he said it is very common with such types of bricks. I just want to have some piece of mind, where some one " licenses inspectors" assess it and confirms its just a brick issue. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 18May 29, 2019 7:22 pm Why not get a treatment for efflorescence, if it continues to come back or you notice other evidence, then request another inspection. Have a look when it rains as well and see where the water is trickling. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 19May 29, 2019 7:36 pm From my experience the efflorescence is a results of excess water then drying which leaves the residue so the problem may not be there now.Was it a wet period during the construction with poor drainage and no temporary downpipes? I would get a soil test next to your perimeter wall with soil moisture content testing from a geotech company.I noticed you have pebble landscaping, this is a bad idea especially with a H1 soil type.The pebble landscaping will allow water to penetrate into the ground and then restrict evaporation gradually leading to an increase in soil moisture around the perimeter of the house.Apart from rising damp this can lead to slab heave, I would remove the pebbles and either grade the soil away from the house or place plastic down which grades way from the house and then put landscaping material on top. Re: Brand new house - Rising damp issue 20May 29, 2019 7:55 pm sweetswisssteel Why not get a treatment for efflorescence, if it continues to come back or you notice other evidence, then request another inspection. Have a look when it rains as well and see where the water is trickling. I am still in the pre purchase stage where I have signed a contract and I have building and pest condition for 21 days, I have another 14 days left to arrange an inspection done by a specialist and find out what the issue is and also suggest a remedy. The builder says there is no issue but he is happy for us to do what ever tests within the next 14 days. If you can suggest if I should engage a plumber ? Damp specialist? Concrete specialist? Or a structural engineer then i can take the next course of action. At the moment I am not sure whom to consult Pay again? No retribution? Your glass has a specific performance get this app and see how much your windows are leaking, then challenge the supplier. 3 5113 Have look at your house plans and you will probably find that brick articulation joint has been missed. Maximum allowable spacing is 6M or 5.5M for a wall with window… 17 21291 Firstly the ableflex that has been installed needs (manufactures specification) a sealant cap over the top, preventing water draining down between the slab and the… 3 8315 |