'Damp' (condensation, not leaching in through a bad stucture) is the main symptom of under- ventilation, ( sub-tropical climates aside), and often what's needed is a simple opening of windows for fresh air to circulate to get stale, damp ( 'vitiated' is the old-English word ) air out. This strategy would certainly have helped in the situation above where it was colder inside than out! Tackling leakage or 'draughts' with simple draught-proofing strip at openings will have massive impact for low expense. Some elementary loft/roofspace insulation- 3-4" would help, 6-8" better, can you get grant-aid in NZ? Carpets on the floor or even rugs will help too, epecially wool or wool-mix, as this fibre absorbs water like no other and acts as a buffer in damp periods.
Hey- just thought Trumpy, - you could use sheepskins, I believe they're a popular farm animal in NZ, we eat at least one joint a month of NZ lamb, even here! Improbable? Just this morning at my local 'Brico' (builders merchant) I saw a novel insulation quilt made from chicken-feathers! JHC would THAT make you itch, crawling over bloody chicken-feathers in a loftspace! Arrgghh!!
Put sheepskins in the loft and you'd have 'sparks' up there luxuriating and refusing to come down!
Alan
[This message has been edited by Alan Belson (edited 06-11-2005).]
