A plain-English local guide for Charing homes (TN27), written to help you diagnose the cause before you spend money.
In Charing, damp usually comes from either an old timber-framed house that traps moisture, or a newer home with condensation. The village is at the foot of the North Downs, so check how rain runs off the slope and around the foundations before blaming condensation. A loft-mounted Dryzen system may help condensation in an owner-occupied home with a loft, but it will not fix a wet wall.
Charing is in the TN27 postcode district, at the foot of the North Downs and on the Pilgrims' Way. The village centre has long been a conservation area, and its High Street has a mix of timber-framed houses, double-fronted homes and cottages, many dating from the sixteenth century.
A house beneath a slope sees a lot of rain run towards it. If your garden or lane slopes down to the house, make sure the water has somewhere to go that is not your wall: a soakaway, a drain or a gully that is clear.
A timber frame with infill panels moves, breathes and dries from both faces. Replacing old lime plaster with gypsum, painting with plastic paint or adding an internal vapour barrier can trap moisture in the structure. Historic England advises against modern waterproofing methods that risk trapping moisture in traditional buildings.
That has a practical consequence for Dryzen: it removes moisture from the air, which helps the building dry out gently. It is not a membrane, it does not seal the walls, and it does not treat the timber.
Dryzen suits owner-occupied homes with a loft, because the unit is mounted there. It is not suitable for rental properties unless the landlord authorises the changes. In an old house the loft may be low, awkward or already full, so the survey checks that first. If it is not practical, we will say so.
Old timber-framed houses can be perfectly comfortable at around 50 to 55 percent indoor humidity. Higher than about 60 to 65 percent for long periods favours mould and dust mites, and lower than about 40 percent starts to feel dry. For the full evidence, calculator and printable cheat sheet, see The Healthy Home Humidity Guide.
Yes. Use breathable materials, repair with lime where appropriate and avoid sealing the structure. Get advice from someone who works on old buildings.
It can. Old houses are often cold and draughty in some rooms and still get condensation where warm moist air meets a cold surface.
We do not offer flood advice. For flood risk at a specific address, use the Environment Agency's flood map for planning and the local council's guidance.
Roughly 50 to 55 percent relative humidity is a sensible target, within the 40 to 60 percent band commonly suggested. Sustained readings above about 60 to 65 percent favour mould and dust mites. A dehumidifier does not kill mould, bed bugs or fleas, it helps stop the conditions they depend on. See our healthy humidity guide.
Sources: Charing, Wikipedia; Historic England: Insulating walls in historic buildings; GOV.UK: Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home