Table of Contents
How do I know if my house has damp proof course?
The most common signs to look out for are:
- Black spot mould forming on interior walls.
- Watermarks on walls formed by either rising damp or penetrating damp.
- Plaster peeling off walls and damage to other decorative finishes such as wallpaper.
What causes damp in Victorian houses?
During the Victorian period (1837-1901), solid walls were still being used which were prone to rain penetration and became damp and cold. Some were rendered externally which over the years becomes defective, allowing it to trap rain which penetrates the property.
Is rising damp common in old houses?
There are several types of damp that affect buildings, and whilst it can befall all types of properties, older buildings are more susceptible to certain types of damp, especially rising damp. This is because when older houses were built, Damp Proof Courses (DPC) were somewhat primitive or entirely absent.
How do I stop condensation in my Victorian house?
Condensation Problems
- Condensing back into water droplets on the same part wall every day will start to draw moisture through the wall.
- Excessive long term humidity will affect clothes and carpets which will smell must.
- Condensation can be reduced by regular heating and improved frequent ventilation to the property.
Do all houses have a damp proof course?
The majority of homes will have DPCs, especially any built in the last 100 years. Some DPC’s can get damaged however, and can then become susceptible to damp penetration. For example, where a house settles over the years, the slate course may crack and allow moisture to begin moving upwards.
When did damp proof courses become compulsory?
A damp-proof course is a standard element which is required when building a property. Damp-Proof Coursing was made compulsory in 1875, however many DPC’s installed in the immediate period after this were laid shoddily and no longer fulfil their purpose.
Do all houses need damp proof course?
Do older properties require damp proof course at all? Older properties get on perfectly well without a damp proof course as the walls breathe . They take in the dampness and then they dry out and the process continues and has done for many years.
Are Victorian houses good?
Victorian homes are always popular among house-hunters. They offer a home with period features, a good layout and are often well-built.
Why are British houses so poorly insulated?
Poor insulation in Homes One of the main reasons was that these walls are very expensive to build and therefore the cost for insulation being installed was also high this deterred many homeowners off from paying. All the new build properties that are constructed in Britain are constructed with damp proof cavity walls.
How long can Victorian houses last?
The Victorian era lasted from 1830 to 1901 – the time Queen Victoria sat on the throne, so most properties built during this time are classed as Victorian homes.
Why are ceilings in Victorian houses so high?
The high ceilings of Victorian properties, like most design features, were another way to display wealth to visitors. Creating a spacious environment, high ceilings provided a stark contrast to the low-ceiling cottages and houses that were associated with the more modest abodes.
Why are English houses so Mouldy?
Poor building practices, such as inadequately fitted insulation and having no real damp proofing in place at all are also major contributors to dampness in British homes.
Why are British houses so Mouldy and damp?
British houses are so damp due to a mixture of the nation having one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe and damaging building practices. Solid single skin brickwork, which makes up much of UK housing, is more prone to damp than double skin with cavity walls.
Why did Victorian houses have two layers of damp proofing?
The air in between the two layers meant that the damp was prevented from passing from layer to the other. By 1875, damp proof courses became compulsory in London. A layer of slate was also used as a DPC for Later Victorian properties. This unfortunately led to walls decaying over time into the cavity which bridged the air gap.
When did damp proofing become compulsory in London?
By 1875, damp proof courses became compulsory in London. A layer of slate was also used as a DPC for Later Victorian properties. This unfortunately led to walls decaying over time into the cavity which bridged the air gap. There was also an introduction of air bricks by the end of the Victorian period.
Did Edwardian houses have damp proof courses?
Most Edwardian houses did have a form of damp proof course to deal with rising damp. Bitumen, slate and occasionally hessian damp proof courses were used along with a band of engineering bricks to act as a barrier. Damp problems usually occur if the DPC has failed, becoming cracked or damaged over time. What Causes Damp in Old Properties?
Do Victorian DPCs cause damp?
Many Victorian houses, particularly those to first feature a DPC, can suffer from damp issues in the modern-day because the DPC has been bridged externally due to an increased ground level.