Viewing property with builder - poss damp?

Engelbert

Hello

We have found a property we are interested in, but it needs a fair bit doing to it. We would like to do most of it ourselves but wanted to look around with a builder to get an idea of costs, and to see if there is anything we have missed, with a view to negotiating the price!

The EA pointed out a couple of areas where there may be damp coming into the property. One I'm not too concerned about as it's where the flashing has gone on a little rain shelter above the back door, but there are a couple of other areas which might be more problematic.

Can a builder assess damp and give us an idea of costs to remedy it or would we need a specialist?

Any comments welcome!

Thank-you

Fire_Fox

Get a damp survey done by Rentokil. I had several done on a previous property, and Rentokil were by far the most professional/ knowledgeable - advising on the root cause on each problem area not just interested in quoting for a damp course.

mbga9pgf

If its an old Stone cottage with traditional lime clay mortar, DONT EVEN THINK about getting it tanked/chemical damp-proofed. You instead need to look at drainage (french drains) if the outer wall is a retaining wall as well as repointing inside and out with a traditional lime render, NOT a concrete one!

If any companies come in and tell you you need chemical Damp-proof and tanking of an old property, I would say they are not looking out for your best interests. A lime clay will suck the moisture out of the stone and allow it to 'breathe' as these buildings were meant to. A chemical damp proof course will simply not work as well as what it would on a modern brick building, tanking will have your wall rotting within 20 years. Get a dehumidifier.

Many of these firms claim to diagnose 'rising damp' in many properties, the truth is only about 1 in 10 cases is actual rising damp. Usually it is:

Condensation. Waterproof paints + cold air = wet walls and mildew. try and use traditional breathing paints in areas that need to be painted. Adequately ventilate, and if you are environmentally concious, fit a vent with a heat recovery system. I would do that becasue I am a tight bag!

Penetration damp. Due to soil retaining walls and walls below ground level. Drainage should be installed NOT tanking. You need to drain down to the level of the foundations.

Other drainage problems - Guttering/Drainage and water below the floor (previous flooding?) pretty obvious. Have a look under ground level floorboards and see what is going on.

Older stone cannot tolerate being constantly damp and you will have crumbling walls within 20 years of getting the chemical DPC done. Dont fix older properties with modern solutions I say. Do your research, lots of builders forums that will advise you similarly.

Hope this helps!