I have a few questions (and problems!)

We bought our house 2 years ago from someone who rented it out to students. It wasn't in great repair and we knew lots needed doing.

At the moment we're stripping the kitchen to replaster and fit a new one. The back wall which faces the garden is rotten right to the brick. How do you go about drying this out and can it be fixed?

More worryingly, the side wall which faces the passage was previously covered in wooden cladding up to halfway up the wall. I though damp didn't come from somewhere like that? It's damp right through the plaster and what looks like a render as well. If I take it all off will the house fall down or anything?
The house had a damp course 3 years ago. Should this be happening? Also, when I've stripped all the walls do I need to let things dry before replastering?

Your help is much appreciated!

I seriously dount the house will fall down. What you need to do is strip back to the brickwork and allow it to dry out. In the meantime you need to find the cause of the damp.

Damp proof courses are a nightmare when retrofitted to older houses. They often cause more damage by holding the damp into the building.

The house had a damp course 3 years ago. Should this be happening?
Your help is much appreciated!

Was this guaranteed? Have you got or can you obtain the documents?

Using a dehumidifier will help with the drying out process. When I need them I hire from Champion Hire (although I'm sure other places hire them) its not too dear.

water ingress might not be caused by damp -i can have a look for you its a free service- see my add on work wanted or call 07716636262 chris wood HNC

You may have a special plaster suggested (by those who know) called Limelite which allows the wall to breath.

Trouble is (those who know) plasterers probably don't want to use it as it is more difficult to use.

I have a few questions (and problems!)

We bought our house 2 years ago from someone who rented it out to students. It wasn't in great repair and we knew lots needed doing.

At the moment we're stripping the kitchen to replaster and fit a new one. The back wall which faces the garden is rotten right to the brick. How do you go about drying this out and can it be fixed?

More worryingly, the side wall which faces the passage was previously covered in wooden cladding up to halfway up the wall. I though damp didn't come from somewhere like that? It's damp right through the plaster and what looks like a render as well. If I take it all off will the house fall down or anything?
The house had a damp course 3 years ago. Should this be happening? Also, when I've stripped all the walls do I need to let things dry before replastering?

Your help is much appreciated!
It may be that the soil is so wet in the back garden, it is making the walls very wet and then draining in to the cellar.Damp of course rises and in old houses you often get this.It does not mean that the house will fall down unless the foundations are unstable and that is often due to subsidence.
Plaster will be damp and could dry out but you really need to look at what the cause is before you can correct it.
There are 2 plasterers in my house if you need more technical advice!

It may be that the soil is so wet in the back garden, it is making the walls very wet and then draining in to the cellar.Damp of course rises and in old houses you often get this.It does not mean that the house will fall down unless the foundations are unstable and that is often due to subsidence.
Plaster will be damp and could dry out but you really need to look at what the cause is before you can correct it.
There are 2 plasterers in my house if you need more technical advice!

Check your gutters and downpipes. These are often overlooked as causes of damp ingress. Chop off damp plaster to allow the wall to breathe and take off the wooden covering. Did you have a survey before buying ? If so, you can call the surveyor back in for an explanation. If not, it would be money well spent before trying to solve the matter. I have renovated many damp and nasty little houses and sometimes it is just about opening windows for ventilation and clearing obstacles, like, ground levels outside. Alow a 6" drop from the inside floor to the outside level to stop 'splashback' of rain. etc:cool:

Totally agree with hollyberry lots of reasons for water ingress check the gutters -the pointing window seals even the tiles on the roof although that is rare -yes and ventilation is a must