If your house has a persistent damp problem, it's important to take this into consideration when renovating it. Here are some tips that you may find useful in this type of situation.

Discuss your plasterboard options with your contractor

If your renovation project will involve replacing the plasterboard on your property's ceilings or walls, it is vital to talk to your contractor about which brands of plasterboard would be most suitable for your damp home.

The reason for this is as follows; not all plasterboard is alike. If you opt for a cheap, thin plasterboard which is not designed for use in damp or humid conditions, it may start to deteriorate quite rapidly after it has been installed.

This could lead to it crumbling or becoming very mouldy. In this situation, you would probably have to replace the plasterboard in a matter of months.

As such, it's important to choose the right type of plasterboard. A lot of contractors recommend the Gyprock plasterboard 'Sensitive' range for clients that are concerned about dampness in their homes, as this range is not only moisture-resistant but is also coated with an antifungal chemical; because of this, it will not develop mould or start to crumble even when fitted in a very damp property.

Whilst plasterboard of this kind may be a bit more expensive than its standard counterpart, it is a worthwhile investment, as it could spare you the expense and hassle of having to replace your moisture-damaged plasterboard just a few months after you have completed your renovation project.

Ask your contractor to use treated timber

If your contractor will be fitting timber flooring or installing new timber roof rafters, it is vital to ensure that they use treated timber (that is, timber that is saturated with fungicides and other protective chemicals)

The reason for this is as follows: The timber parts of a damp house are very likely to develop a wood-decay fungus if they do not have any fungicidal coating on their surfaces. Fungi of this kind will quickly destroy any pieces of wood that they grow on.

Timber which has succumbed to the effects of this type of fungus will often develop a discoloured appearance and feel spongy and weak when touched or stood on. When this happens, it usually needs to be replaced.

As such, it is best to instruct your contractor to use treated timber when they are renovating your home.

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