Chelmsford Drylining FAQ
Can dry lining be used on damp walls?
No — dry lining should not be applied directly to a damp wall. It will trap moisture against the masonry and cause the plasterboard to fail, often within months. Black mould, peeling paint, and rotten skirting follow.
The damp must first be identified and resolved:
- Rising damp: requires a new damp-proof course (DPC) injection - Penetrating damp: requires external repairs (render, pointing, gutters) - Condensation: requires improved ventilation and/or insulation
Once the wall is dry, we can install a chemical or sheet damp-proof membrane, use moisture-resistant plasterboard, or build an independent metal stud wall with a ventilated cavity. For Chelmsford's pre-1930s housing stock — Victorian terraces in Moulsham, Moulsham, Springfield, Springfield and parts of Galleywood — independent stud is often the most reliable approach.