Damp is perhaps the single biggest concern for owners of period properties in South Devon. Whether you are living in a cob cottage in Ashburton, a stone terrace in Totnes, or a Victorian villa in Newton Abbot, the sight of peeling paint or the smell of mustiness can be deeply worrying. However, the way modern building companies approach damp is often the very thing that makes the problem worse.
At Quoin & Oak Construction, we take a different view. We don’t believe in “tanking” walls or injecting chemical DPCs (Damp Proof Courses). Instead, we look at the building as a living, breathing entity. To solve damp in a heritage home, you have to understand why it’s happening, and that usually means looking at how the building’s original breathability has been compromised.
The Myth of the “Damp Proof” Injection
Most modern damp-proofing companies will suggest injecting a chemical barrier into your walls. In a traditional South Devon property built of stone or cob, this is rarely effective. These walls were designed to sit on the ground without a membrane, allowing moisture to rise and evaporate naturally through the surface of the wall.
When you inject chemicals or apply waterproof cement renders, you aren’t “stopping” the damp; you are simply trapping it inside the wall. The moisture then travels higher up the masonry until it finds an exit point, often appearing as a fresh damp patch above the new “treatment.” Our approach focuses on restoring the wall’s ability to release that moisture.
Lime vs. Cement: Letting the Building Breathe
The number one cause of damp in Devon’s heritage homes is the use of Portland cement. Over the last 60 years, many beautiful stone properties have been repointed or rendered in hard, grey cement. Unlike traditional lime mortar, cement is non-porous. It traps water behind it, and in our wet South West climate, that water eventually pushes through to the interior.
We specialise in the careful removal of these modern cements. We then repoint or re-render using traditional lime mortars. Lime is “breathable” (vapour-permeable), meaning it acts like a wick, drawing moisture out of the wall and allowing it to evaporate into the air. This single change is often enough to dry out a property that has been “damp” for decades.
Managing Ground Levels and Drainage
Sometimes the solution isn’t in the walls at all, but under your feet. Over the centuries, ground levels around old houses tend to rise as paths are relaid or flowerbeds are added. If the external ground level is higher than your internal floor, moisture will bridge into your walls.
We look at the “hard landscaping” around your property. By lowering exterior paths, installing French drains, or creating “breathing zones” around the base of the house, we can significantly reduce the amount of water the walls have to cope with. As a full-service building company, we manage these groundworks alongside the masonry repairs to ensure a comprehensive fix.
Internal Finishes and Condensation
Even if your walls are dry, modern living can create “internal” damp through condensation. Breathing creates moisture, as does cooking and showering. In an old house, if you use modern plastic-based paints or gypsum plaster, that moisture has nowhere to go but to sit on the surface, leading to black mould.
We advocate for internal finishes that support the building’s health. This includes:
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Lime Plastering: Which regulates humidity by absorbing and releasing moisture.
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Clay and Lime Paints: Which are entirely breathable and naturally resist mould.
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Traditional Timber Floor Restoration: Ensuring there is adequate airflow beneath your floorboards to prevent joist rot.
A Professional Consultation
Solving damp in a heritage home requires a “detective” mindset. Steve and the team bring nearly 25 years of experience in identifying the root causes of moisture in Devon’s unique architecture. We don’t offer “quick fixes”; we offer traditional, permanent solutions that protect the structural integrity of your home.
If you are struggling with damp in your period property, don’t rush into a modern chemical treatment that could cause long-term damage. Let’s look at the building’s history and find a solution that works with nature, not against it.
To discuss a damp assessment for your property in South Devon, call Steve at Quoin & Oak Construction on 07528 095 320 or email quoinandoak@gmail.com.
