Damp proof course in period property - necessary?

tyllwyd

Did the surveyor actually say there was no damp proof course? Have you looked yourself? (look for a line in the mortar probably about one or two bricks above the ground, and check that the ground level doesn't rise and go over the level of the dpc.

My suspicion is that if the house hasn't been lived in for a while, as one of the other posters said, it might be condensation so if the house was heated and ventilated properly for a while it would sort itself out.

I'd probably get a damp specialist in to reassure myself that it wasn't a huge problem, but it doesn't sound too drastic from what you've said.

tawse57

If a house is not lived in apparently condensation will collect in the coolest part of the house - I read this online - so perhaps, as others have said, if you live in the house for a few weeks you will find that the problem is condensation and not damp?

I am a tad suspicious about 25 year guarantees for damp courses as who provides the guarantee? The firm doing the damp course or does it come from some central body? I mean, how many of these damp course firms go bust each year? The guarantee would be worthless if the firm was no longer around surely?

clutton_2

if you are going to get a DPC done.. then get a contractor who is a member of a professoinal body and who subscribes to the DPC product's Insurance backed guarantee.. which means you can then go back to the insurers if there are problems in the future....

jozbo

surveyor said there was the original damp proof course, but suspected it was failing.
we just got the valuation back which has valued the house 9k under what we've offered! the reasoning is down to the damp and other problems we were aware of.
have tried to negotiate the vendor down to this.. fingers crossed

henpecked1

remember the additional costs of putting up with the damp work, redecoration, flooring etc.

mudshark

From what I've read rising damp is a con. My lender held back some cash on my last house until I had the dpc done as suggested by the surveyor but I refused. When I sold it no dampness was found. The thing is I bought it in the middle of the winter and as it had been empty for months it's hardly surprising that it was damp.