Hi all

Looks like I may be in for a tussle with the insurance company!
They are trying to avoid paying for a drying operation on the grounds that
they believe damp in our concrete floor is caused by a damaged dpm.

The question is, can we still get rising damp through a concrete floor due
to a compromised dpm, when we live at the top of a hill?
Does this damp require high levels of ground water, or does it just need
contact with damp soil?
Damp is showing between our plastic underlay and the top of the concrete
floor slab.

TIA

Phil

On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:57:47 -0000, TheScullster wrote:

Does this damp require high levels of ground water, or does it just need
contact with damp soil?

High ground water levels will make it worse and being on top of hill
doesn't mean that the ground water level is low, there are plenty of peat
bogs on tops of hills...

Capillary action will draw water from wetter places to dryer ones.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Dave Liquorice" wrote

Does this damp require high levels of ground water, or does it just need
contact with damp soil?

High ground water levels will make it worse and being on top of hill
doesn't mean that the ground water level is low, there are plenty of peat
bogs on tops of hills...

Capillary action will draw water from wetter places to dryer ones.

--
Dave

We are on clay with no evidence of high ground water. Does this change the
prognosis?

Phil

TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

Looks like I may be in for a tussle with the insurance company!
They are trying to avoid paying for a drying operation on the grounds that
they believe damp in our concrete floor is caused by a damaged dpm.

The question is, can we still get rising damp through a concrete floor due
to a compromised dpm, when we live at the top of a hill?

yes. If it rains.

Does this damp require high levels of ground water, or does it just need
contact with damp soil?

damp soil IS high levels of groundwater.


Damp is showing between our plastic underlay and the top of the concrete
floor slab.

Ah.

Sounds like classic rising damp to me.

What in fact is YOUR explanation?


TIA

Phil

TheScullster wrote:
"Dave Liquorice" wrote

Does this damp require high levels of ground water, or does it just need
contact with damp soil?
High ground water levels will make it worse and being on top of hill
doesn't mean that the ground water level is low, there are plenty of peat
bogs on tops of hills...

Capillary action will draw water from wetter places to dryer ones.

--
Dave

We are on clay with no evidence of high ground water. Does this change the
prognosis?


makes it all the more likely.

Clay retains water like nobodies business after it rains.



Phil

The Scullster:

Hi all


Looks like I may be in for a tussle with the insurance company!
They are trying to avoid paying for a drying operation on the grounds
that
they believe damp in our concrete floor is caused by a damaged dpm.


The question is, can we still get rising damp through a concrete floor
due
to a compromised dpm, when we live at the top of a hill?
Does this damp require high levels of ground water, or does it just
need
contact with damp soil?
Damp is showing between our plastic underlay and the top of the
concrete
floor slab.


TIA


Phil

+++++

Most rising damp diagnoses are incorrect, so such a diagnosis is cause
for more investigation..
Is there a specific reason why you want this dried out rather than
letting it dry by itself?
I cant think how a damaged dpm would affect an insurance claim.
Now why you'd need to go to the insurance co for what is in most cases
simple and cheap to remedy.


NT

wrote:
The Scullster:

Hi all


Looks like I may be in for a tussle with the insurance company!
They are trying to avoid paying for a drying operation on the grounds
that
they believe damp in our concrete floor is caused by a damaged dpm.


The question is, can we still get rising damp through a concrete floor
due
to a compromised dpm, when we live at the top of a hill?
Does this damp require high levels of ground water, or does it just
need
contact with damp soil?
Damp is showing between our plastic underlay and the top of the
concrete
floor slab.


TIA


Phil

+++++

Most rising damp diagnoses are incorrect, so such a diagnosis is cause
for more investigation..
Is there a specific reason why you want this dried out rather than
letting it dry by itself?
I cant think how a damaged dpm would affect an insurance claim.
Now why you'd need to go to the insurance co for what is in most cases
simple and cheap to remedy.

It's reasonable to expect our houses to stay dry inside, even when it
rains :-)

FWIW I have been involved with two similar problems, and both turned out
to be mains water leaks. The water companies are pretty good at
detecting even small leaks.
There seems little point arguing the toss about drying out the house
until the cause is known in case it happens again.
IME insurance companies take the view that they are only liable if a
single incident at a particular time caused the damage. A damp course
doesn't suddenly fail but a water pipe may do, even if it isn't
discovered for several years. I can't see them accepting liabilty for
anything other than a leak.