Differing rising damp survey results

spaceraiders

Hi,

I've just bought a house. The general survey said there was some "localised damp readings" in some of the rooms that should be looked into. I had a pre-purchase rising damp survey done. The survey said they found 7 patches of damp wall (each about 0.5 - 1 meter across), that it was rising damp, it should be treated and it would cost £2100.

After purchase, I followed up with two more surveys. One located 3 damp patches, said the readings were minor, there were no signs it was rising damp and it doesn't need to be treated. Another said a very similar thing but found 4 patches.

It seems fairly obvious to me, but do I just have to assume that the first quote was very poor and that I do not have any rising damp? The company I used was highly recommended by several people I trust and work with property.

wallbash

Will upset someone but I think all 'damp' surveys are rubbish ..

Damp problem are caused by leaks .... check tiles and down pipes.
Make certain your dpc has not been covered.

Bet if you get a firm ( that did the survey) to fix the problem
12 months later you could get another survey to find another problem !!!!


You need a builder NOT another expensive survey.

spaceraiders

wallbash wrote: »

Will upset someone but I think all 'damp' surveys are rubbish ..

Damp problem are caused by leaks .... check tiles and down pipes.
Make certain your dpc has not been covered.

Bet if you get a firm ( that did the survey) to fix the problem
12 months later you could get another survey to find another problem !!!!

You need a builder NOT another expensive survey.

The surveys were free by the way. I'm not convinced rising damp does not exists. Damp walls cause mold (which is bad for your health), destroy plaster/wallpaper and rot wood. Damp proofing scientifically stop damp rising up through walls. Perhaps you could fix a leaky pipe stopping the damp rising up but you'd still have to fix damp inner walls. What are you meant to do if wet soil is causing the rising damp?

I'm unclear what a builder is going to do different. What do they diagnose? How do they fix what they find?

wallbash

Your own surveys ...3 problems ..4 problems or is it 7 ??


Can you see /feel wet patches. Is the damp proof course working/damaged

Down pipe example was more a wall thing
Where is the 'damp' ??
ground floor, low down , check out sde wall

Debt_Free_Chick

spaceraiders wrote: »

The surveys were free by the way. I'm not convinced rising damp does not exists.

So were they carried out by firms that sell DPC solutions? If so, then it's likely that they will find problems and then offer you the solutions to treat them.

If ever I've been concerned about damp, I've paid a surveyor to look into it.

spaceraiders

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

So were they carried out by firms that sell DPC solutions? If so, then it's likely that they will find problems and then offer you the solutions to treat them.

If ever I've been concerned about damp, I've paid a surveyor to look into it.

I realise many of these firms do have a bias. However, since two of the surveys said there was no problem, it feels like I can be extra sure there isn't as they'd be likely to overestimate problems.

rustybucket

We've had this, all companies who have popped out for free their salesman, sorry surveyors have given different readings and different costs.

We've decided that things do need to be checked out first which is why we're paying for an independent survey, www.abbeyis.com is worth looking at.