Damp problems - plop, plip (and mould)

ruggedtoast

Viewed a house the other day - seemed ok, bit of a fixer upper but nothing too major - except, we noticed there was a line of mould running vertically down along the corner of the bedroom, where the two walls connect.

On closer inspection that part of the wall was damp to the touch, and looking behind the bedside table at the skirting, the mould had spread out and the wall was pretty furry - there was a power point there too.

The other side would be an exterior wall.

The agent claimed to know nothing about it and said it was a minor problem- we will probably go back for a second viewing - but would like some advice on what to look out for, and how much it might cost to put this problem right.

I assume I should ask for access to the loft to check if the roof is leaking - anything in particular to check for if this doesnt look like the problem?

keith969

Watch out for dry rot...

ruggedtoast

Dry? Its definitely damp.

roger196

Roof is obvious starting point. Look for missing / slipped tiles, loose flashing. Inside loft when raining may help, but water has a nasty habit of running down some ten feet from where it first penetrated the roof. What is angle of roof...high winds can blow rain up and under tiles. Are tiles porous.
Next I would look at gutters, blocked or cracked, do they fall at the right rate. Pour in a gallon of water and see how it clears. Same for downpipes.
When in loft look for leaking cold water tank or pipes especially at the joints. Are any of the central heating pipes in loft...check these for leaks. Look at overflow pipes from tanks, these can split, come loose.
As the mould is in the corner, could the leak be from next door.
A cheap damp meter ( from B&Q or screwfix) will help you to narrow down the extent of the damp. I would check downstairs rooms as well.

ruggedtoast

Thanks - thats good info - will get one of the damp meters and ask to look in the loft. Its an end of terrace so that wall is exterior.

daska

Dry rot is a misnomer, it occurs in damp conditions. If you don't know anything about dry rot then there may be other problems that you are likely to miss. I would suggest that you have a proper survey done. Given the amount you're likely to be spending on the house a survey is a piddling amount and the surveyor should be able to identify the probable cause of the problem for you which, if the EA has priced it being genuinely unaware of there being a problem, will make it easier to negotiate a reduction.

Squish_21

ruggedtoast wrote: »

On closer inspection that part of the wall was damp to the touch, and looking behind the bedside table at the skirting, the mould had spread out and the wall was pretty furry - there was a power point there too.

The other side would be an exterior wall.

U just described my own bedroom! Its exactly as you describe!
I think a dripping overflow pipe is causing it on my flat.

Fire_Fox

ruggedtoast wrote: »

The agent claimed to know nothing about it and said it was a minor problem- we will probably go back for a second viewing - but would like some advice on what to look out for, and how much it might cost to put this problem right.

Ignore anything the estate agent says, the more you buy the house for the more profit they make ... if they know nothing about the damp how do they know it's a minor issue?? :rolleyes:

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Thanks - thats good info - will get one of the damp meters and ask to look in the loft. Its an end of terrace so that wall is exterior.

By all means look for missing roof tiles, cracked guttering or leaky overflows, but a damp meter is useless in novice hands: you need a surveyor, builder or reputable damp company to have a proper look.

ruggedtoast

We'll have to have a survey done as a condition of the mortgage.

I would want to get a good appraisal of the physical state of the property before making an offer, paying for a survey, then finding out a lot of work needs to be done and having to submit a revised offer the vendor may not accept.

olly300

ruggedtoast wrote: »

We'll have to have a survey done as a condition of the mortgage.

A full structural survey or a valuation?

Most mortgages require just a valuation which isn't a survey at all, and a Homebuyers report is useless in this case.

Paying out for a full structural survey regardless of the outcome will help save you money on one of the most expensive things you are likely to buy in your lifetime.

Fire_Fox

I'm with Olly: a valuation 'survey' is not for your benefit, it is for the benefit of the bank to ensure they are not lending on a complete turkey. If a property is older or there are concerns about any aspect of the fabric, a full structural survey will invariably pay for itself and then some as you have the opportunity to renegotiate the purchase price or walk away.