Our client, Rendall & Rittner, requested we attend one of their residential properties due to reports of a foul smell and potential damp within one of the flats and the communal corridor.

The initial smell from the flat led us to investigate the corridor which was observed to have multiple points of damage, including moisture stains and floor divots. This indicated that the structure below had been compromised and required further investigation.

Previous visits to the property had been carried out in an attempt to identify the source of the issue. Through a process of elimination and without causing intrusive damage to the building, the BASSE team established that there was water being held beneath the false floor, either as a result of an active leak or the remains of a historic one.

Upon further investigation, it was identified by the team that there was also potential water release by other surrounding flats. To confirm the source and damage, we had to lift the communal corridor’s flooring to allow the damp to dry so we could investigate further.

We commenced lifting the flooring in the corridor and established the floor was made up of wood lathes and overlaid with plyboard. On lifting the carpet tiles, our team discovered the following:

• Both the wood lathes and plyboard were completely sodden (carpet lifted plyboard in several areas as it was taken up)
• Moisture was observed on the meter cupboard side of the corridor initially and was seen towards the entrance of one flat

The floor was then also lifted by the flat and its neighbouring flats. The damp had spread across the entrance of three flats, confirming the spaces needed inspecting to locate the source of the leak.

One of the flats showed signs of historic leaks at the base of the toilet soil pipe and below the cistern which had in turn caused black mould and damage to the wood work. Although it was decided that this wasn’t the cause of the corridor damp, BASSE Solutions recommended that this be investigated further to correct and eliminate the black mould.

Following inspection in one of the other flats, the tile grout and mastic surrounding bath had been compromised. It’s a possibility that this is causing water to leak beneath the floor and out into the common stairwell. Our recommendation is that repair work should be carried out to the grout and sealant.