Rising damp through concrete floor?

[Gimpymoo]

So, having had some plastic backed dust sheets down for a while, I go to move them today and find droplets of water on them in some areas, quiet a lot to be fair.

This has been ontop of carpet.

We have a concrete floor.

House is circa 1907.

Looking at the edges of the room behind skirting board, I can see some blue pastic stuff, could this be a membrane which has failed?

What are the solutions, rip up the floor at likely high cost and mess no doubt and apply membrane and concrete over?

Honestly, this house becomes more like "The Moneypit" every day

 

[Gimpymoo]

It is probably the inevitable.

I can do some of the donkey work myself like digging up old floor etc.

From what I can see, most DMP's will last about 20-30 years? We have no plans on moving so ideally would like something which will last longer.

Looking at something like this:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/damp-proof-membrane-1200ga-black-4m-x-25m/47163

Dig out to earth, lay that down, then lay new concrete floor on top?

 

[Gimpymoo]

I can see some "blue plastic" behind some of the skirting which is about 1½" - 2" below floor level, I assume this is an old damp proof membrane?

 

[Gimpymoo]

What work was carried out?any water based painting going on?

Yes, some watery fresh plaster paint

Nothing spilt on the carpet BUT something which has bugged me for a long time is the floor has always been cold and any liquid spillages on the carpet always seem to take a while to dry and even then, never feels bone dry for ages.

Am going to get a damp meter and see what it reports.

Will pull up the carpet/underlay and see whats what. If there is a damp problem, I suspect will be nice and mouldy.

Carpet has been down for around 10 years.

If I have to rip the floor up, underfloor heating is going in.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Fitter applied an Ardex Liquid DPC. No issues to report since.

EDIT: This is the stuff; http://www.ardex.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14

We used a latex SLC screed over the top.

....when I say there were no issues... other than my dog getting into the room and walking over the final coat of screed that is

Ooooh.

Thank you.

That looks like just what we need. Saves ripping up the floor. I assume you have to rip off the skirting board to get all the way under else the damp will just go up the walls?

Thing is, we have some really high original skirting board which is a pain in the butt to get now but needs must.

Would you say it is a "DIY" job?

What did you say to the dog? And what was their response?

 

[Gimpymoo]

You make a valid point and are correct in the points you raise and it is something I am also investigating.

We have no airbricks in the property. Well, I found one which was rendered over on the outside and is now buried behind skirting.

We take these old houses, make them airtight with double glazing but few think about ventilation.

You say "sub floor". With only having a concrete floor, you mean rip up existing concrete floor and install a raised wooden floor with venting underneath?

In all fairness, a concrete floor with functioning damp course is just as valid.

I do need to investigate ventilation though.