Had my first damp specialist inspector in today. I have mould in my internal meter cupboard. Had applied a solvent the other day but the musty smell remains, so decided to call in a company.
He reckons that when the bay was built, it was boarded over, not plastered, and said he couldn’t see any Dpc holes. I texted previous owner and she said it was there when they moved in 22 years ago.
Certainly tapping the walls there creates that ‘on a board’ sound rather than what you’d get on a brick wall.
His suggestion is to do a 3.5 day job, get back to brickwork on the bay, inject a dpc and plaster. And replace the render in the little cupboard.
Waiting for his proper quote but off the top of his head he reckons about £850. I’m ok with that.
I am waiting for call backs from two other companies, and another one, their line went to unobtainable after a few rings. Can’t try them again till one rings me, he was on the phone, apparently. Hope he hasn’t forgotten, or the girl actually did pass the message on.
Not bothered about potential mess. But that my tv, cabinet and Sky box will have to come away from there and me have no Sky in that time.
Normally mould is a symptom of warm, moist, stagnant air, and very often just by providing ventilation by installing an air brick for instance would maybe provide the solution. It is certainly something I would try first for around an eighth of the cost.
But the mouldy area still needs to be addressed, Barry. It has to be cleaned up and replaced. Waiting for a couple more call backs for inspection dates.
On my way to dog walk I checked again that part of the wall and @Barry, there is nowhere to install an air brick for that area. There is a width of wall less than 6” I would imagine, behind the down pipe, and then the bay starts.
@Jazzi OK Jan, just a thought. It’s a problem when you can’t see the problem for yourself to give best advice but there are other solutions to ventilation and damp in confined areas, I just worry that you are being sold a bigger job than you need but hopefully I’m wrong. Hope you get it fixed anyway.
Thanks Barry. I will wait for other inspections and see what is thought.
I took the photo on my phone and don’t have quick access to this site to attach. I would have to find my password book and go through the rigmarole of finding this site, and logging on. *sigh.
If it’s a modern phone you should be able to upload directly from your phone, look for an icon that looks like a ‘landscape picture’ and click on that.
From Art’s pic here it is the icon towards the bottom right of the post creation box (to the far right of where it says ‘Reply’ in orange
The outside of the house. Yes I do clear weeds. The meter box is behind the thinnest wall but on the party wall with next door, so an air brick is not a feasible option.
But as I said, Barry, I don’t know where the air brick could go. Maybe the company when doing the work can find a way. Still waiting for two more call backs with inspection dates.
Why airbrick I ask? why not just an small air vent such and used for roof gutter facings. one or two could easily be fitted to the side of the meter box, after all that is all you need to give air circulation
What I am thinking is the same as Realspeed suggested below if the damp is confined to the meter box itself, just an idea but would certainly do no harm in any case.
When I first suggested an air brick I was assuming the meter cupboard was internal, and not an external meter box. Anyway, maybe worthwhile tossing the idea around with your builders?
Now come on everyone. Please pay attention! There is an internal, and a external meter box. The problem is in the internal one, which doesn’t have a wide enough wall, to the outside, for an air brick, or vent. Which I can see. I did speak to the guy earlier, and he said an air brick can be fitted, but it wouldn’t solve the problem. Problem with him is, he is a talker, repeats himself, repeats my name in every sentence, keeps on about the years he’s been in business, won’t let me get a word in edgeways, but I am having delays in other companies getting back to me for an inspection date.
@Jazzi I’m on the laptop now Jan and can see the pictures much better. Yes, it does look like your bay has damp problems anyway and needs doing and I can now understand hoe your internal meter box is constructed, so I agree that the d.p.c. needs sorting out but I would still recommend having some sort of air vent fitted to the cupboard if possible as part of the work. These days tube vents can be fitted just by drilling a couple of holes and any air circulation to that area would certainly help, as a single skin of masonry direct to the outside will always attract condensation.
The problem I face is the other companies not getting back to me. I have called 5 more. One can’t get out to me till 14/9, the others I have left voice mail messages. One I did speak to, his wife, but I might be too far from him, he is Norwich, I am Lowestoft.
It is so frustrating. I missed one call at 2.03, as I left the church concert I went to, but dashed to the retail park without checking my phone or taking off silent mode.
Had one company call me from Checkatrade. He reckons on condensation. However, I again have to wait for a call back with an appt date, which might be next week, or week after! Grrr.
In the meantime I will keep the cupboard doors slightly ajar, and have the damp trap in there.
It is certainly something I would try first for around an eighth of the cost. 
It’s a problem when you can’t see the problem for yourself to give best advice but there are other solutions to ventilation and damp in confined areas, I just worry that you are being sold a bigger job than you need but hopefully I’m wrong. Hope you get it fixed anyway. 
