FTB Homebuyer Report...Damp?!

Kaylet

Hello, everyone,

We've just received our homebuyer report on the 1960's terraced house we're in the process of buying and have been told that...

"Dampness affects the inside of the outside wall at low level on the rear wall to the living room and the front and side walls to the ground floor w.c. but I could not discover the cause."

The survey then goes on to say...

"Some skirting boards are damp. Condition rating 3. The timber skirting boards in the living room and the [downstairs] W.C. are damp. This is serious and once the dampness problem has been resolved (see E4 Walls) you should repair/replace the skirting boards."

There is also a condition rating 2 regarding a couple of cracked ridge tiles which they have recommended we replace pretty soon.

Basically, we're new to this whole home buying malarky and are at a bit of a loss as to what we need to do next! We've spoken to our mortgage adviser at the EA who has asked us to email a copy of the report to her so that she can then get in contact with the vendor's EA to discuss the matter further. I do, however, feel a bit arkward as we have met the vendor's (at their request) and who seem very nice and keen to keep things moving. Should we give them a courtesy call directly to inform them of the results of the survey or is this not the done thing?!

It's all very confusing and we've been googling "damp" for the last two hours and have read the stories of the cowboys who do a free damp survey then insist you need to have a very expensive damp-proofing course (which, according to the report, the house already has). Could it just be the case that they don't open the windows enough?!!

We'd REALLY appreciate any advice that you may be able to give.

Many thanks.

gratefulforhelp_2

Read the Rising damp myth by jeff howells.

your estate agent should speak to the vendors for you, to let them know something came up on the survey. you may wish to renegotiate the price, in which case you'll need some quotes for the remedial work.

David_Aldred

Hi Kaylet,
If the skirting is damp then decay may follow if it has not done so already so the matter does require further investigation. Your options are a contractor as you describe or a truly independent damp and timber surveyor of which a list of such can be found upon the Property Care Association (PCA) website if you look under find a member and select Freelance and Consultant you should find one in your area to have a chat with. These surveyors should spend at least a couple of hours inspecting and a full day writing a report with drawing and photos specific to that property detailing everything they see. As you indicate if the house was built with a damp proof course (dpc) then other moisture sources should be ruled out first before rushing to balme the dpc and electrical damp meters cannot prove rising dampness at all. For background information on these subjects please have a look at my posts on this forum regarding damp, condensation, damp meters, dry rot, woodworm and cavity wall ties. Hope this helps kindest regards David Aldred Independent damp and timber surveyor.