Damp

Hi, can anyone recommend someone experienced in treating damp please?

Thanks

You need to be more specific. It is a common problem in Spain and you'll get lots of useful tips of how to treat it and avoid it in the future.

Good call Janjan. Where is it, and what sort of property is it? It does seem to be quite common. Is the property a villa or an apartment? Does it have an under-build? They often have issues due to water flowing into them down the outer stairs. Do you have missing tiles?
Lots of things to consider!

With damp caused by condensation where a property has been left shut up over a period of time, particularly in the Spanish winter, it's always better to use prevention rather than cure.

Properties need to breathe and leaving all internal doors open including wardrobes and using salt in containers around the house all helps - Pulling all furniture like beds and sofas, slightly away from the walls, when the property is shut up also helps.

Cover beds with old sheets that can be washed afterwards is easier than having to wash all the bed covers which will get a mouldy smell if left uncovered.

There are lots of tips that others can give I'm sure.

I heard that a weak solution of bleach is good to clean off mould from walls - However, if there is mould on walls it is generally an underlying problem like a leak from somewhere. If the house is prepared properly before leaving it shut up in the Winter months there should not be any mould, but there may be a musty smell which just means the house needs airing and after a few days this should subside.
The Winter in Spain has varied temperatures which causes a condensation build up.

Hope this helps.

dazzab72, if the damp is showing as a mould on the surfaces of the walls, then it is probably down to a build up of condensation, and is easily treatable as already said a weak solution of bleach, or mould and mildew remover if you can get it in Spain

If you have a good fereteria close by they are usually helpful.
Muffycid is brilliant stuff but use it with care.

Hi thanks for the comments. The property is a Miete. I'm not entirely sure that damp is the problem. There is certainly a musty smell in the underbuild. The walls are flaking but I can see no sign of rising damp or the furry black/green mould I would normally associate with damp. I don't want to mask the problem by just painting over it if it is actually damp. We have no missing tiles so I do not believe there is water getting into the property. All doors and some windows are left open during the periods I am not there.

If the damp is in a particular area, e.g. upstairs try turning the water off at source (usually knobs in the bathroom) especially if the property will be empty a while. This can help detect if there is a leak somewhere in the pipes e.g. under the floors.If the damp reduces or disappears it will indicate a leak somewhere. I agree with othet posts damp is a universal issue here in Spain.

Hi,

I have a colleague and friend who is a professional in this area and a member of the ISSE (http://www.isse.org.uk/).

If you require some initial independent advice if you let me know I will pass on his contact details via private message.

Regards
Mike

Hi Mike,

Yes please