Damp/mould problem - who to call?

[alkel2730]

Hello

Sorry for a boring question for a Saturday night but we've come back off holiday and noticed a bit of a damp problem on our ground floor. It seems the wall is wet, the carpet is wet, there's mould and there was an actual mushroom growing by the front door!

We aren't sure who to call, is it a plumber or a carpet person or someone else?

Thanks!

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Alkel. Mould and other such issues only happen due to water ingress. It will need some detective work
Is it a leaking downpipe?
Are the gutters clogged?
Is there an appliance that has a slight leak?
Is there a cloakroom with a leak?
Is there a window with blocked weep holes?
Was the front door not shut correctly?
Have you had path or patio work done that has taken it above the DPC level?

And the list goes on. Backtrack to where it is dry and on your hands and knees start feeling for damp. Normally you can track back to where the issue is.

Edit. I would put money on a leaking radiator.

[alkel2730]

I'm so glad you replied! I just said to hubby I hope Mr Morrow answers! My DH has replied with the following:

Hi, thanks for that. It’s a bit of a strange one as the damp is forming on the ground floor. The damp is on the plasterboard and on the carpet. We have had this issue for a bit and whilst it is getting progressive worse the progress is slow. The bit of plasterboard that is damp encases the soil pipe that leads out of the house.
We live in a town house and our house is three stories. The damp is on the ground floor and there are no appliances or plumbing near the source of the damp. The part of the plaster board that is damp is completely internal, so I can’t see that it’s anything to do with the outside. Our internal garage is next to the damp (and the pipe) and there is no sign of any damage there. The kitchen is directly above but the sink not the dishwasher show any signs of leakage. I think that the leak is something to do with the soil pipe, but where it is encased I can’t see. Interestingly enough in the last few days some damp has started to appear under the carpet about a foot away from the wall (but in line be with the plaster enclosing the pipe). I suspect I’ll need to get someone to chop into the plasterboard and see what’s going on with the pipe to figure it out.

ETA. There's no radiator there. Hubby says it's been going on a while but I didn't know and thd damp carpet is definitely new.

[alkel2730]

Also there's no windows down there just the front door. There is a cloakroom but it's really far away from the damp. It's wrecked the carpet.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Ahh, the old soil pipe issue! Is there any smell? I mean soil not just a wet smell?
Sadly only one answer. Hack the plaster board off and see what's happening inside the void. Probably a gasket gone where the pipe joins. Bear in mind it could be an upstairs issue and it's flowing to the lowest point where it then manifests.

Sounds to me like an Insurance claim and they will sort the issue and replace the carpet. Not brilliant for future premiums but hey ho carpets and repairs cost big money. I would ring the Insurers and put the issue in their lap.

[alkel2730]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Ahh, the old soil pipe issue! Is there any smell? I mean soil not just a wet smell?
Sadly only one answer. Hack the plaster board off and see what's happening inside the void. Probably a gasket gone where the pipe joins. Bear in mind it could be an upstairs issue and it's flowing to the lowest point where it then manifests.

Sounds to me like an Insurance claim and they will sort the issue and replace the carpet. Not brilliant for future premiums but hey ho carpets and repairs cost big money. I would ring the Insurers and put the issue in their lap.

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Thank you! That's super helpful. Oh the irony is we've literally just changed our insurers over! Oh dear.

[alkel2730]

There's a bit of a damp smell and a soil type smell.

[Dougie]

Sorry to butt in but in my room I have black marks along the bottom of my wall and greying spots going up the wall and behind my chest of drawers... it's dry so I don't think it's damp mould. Does anyone have any ideas how to get rid of it please ?

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by Dougie

Sorry to butt in but in my room I have black marks along the bottom of my wall and greying spots going up the wall and behind my chest of drawers... it's dry so I don't think it's damp mould. Does anyone have any ideas how to get rid of it please ?

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Thats a different issue. Cold wall meeting a warm house and the air is trapped behind a unit. Sorry but that's common and there is no answer apart from more ventilation

[Dougie]

Thank you.