damp, damp and more damp

tbs624

I'd "file" that report........ Query why they are suggesting using a "tanking membrane" and the full condition of the pre-exsiting DPC.££££ signs dancing in front of their eyes IMHO

You may find it interesting to read what Jeff Howell ( building industry background, writes & lectures on property) says about "rising damp" - there is much disagreement on the topic.

See also http://www.oxleyconservation.com/publications/documents/DoandDonotsGuide3DampandTimberTreatment.pdf

anselld

You really need to confirm if this is condensation or rising damp.

Condensation - black mould growth mainly in areas of poor ventilation ( eg corners) and on colder external walls.
Rising damp - only affects the lower 1m of the wall. Possible "tide mark". Flaking plaster.

Can you get a damp meter? Measure the whole wall and see if readings drop significantly above 1m (rising damp).

Timers - and evidence of distortion or "springiness" of the floor. The joists tend to rot off at the ends if it is rising damp and that makes them bouncy round the edges.

Is it an old house? In which case pre-existing damp course is probably slate - limited life.

You need positive confirmation it is rising damp before spending serious money.
If it has rising damp it will certainly take a few grand to fix, but 9000 is taking the P.

themull1

It would put me off buying it to be honest!!

jaffs

anselld wrote: »

You really need to confirm if this is condensation or rising damp.

Condensation - black mould growth mainly in areas of poor ventilation ( eg corners) and on colder external walls.
Rising damp - only affects the lower 1m of the wall. Possible "tide mark". Flaking plaster.

Can you get a damp meter? Measure the whole wall and see if readings drop significantly above 1m (rising damp).

Timers - and evidence of distortion or "springiness" of the floor. The joists tend to rot off at the ends if it is rising damp and that makes them bouncy round the edges.

Is it an old house? In which case pre-existing damp course is probably slate - limited life.

You need positive confirmation it is rising damp before spending serious money.
If it has rising damp it will certainly take a few grand to fix, but 9000 is taking the P.

Quote says "higher than normal moisture readings on all ground floor walls"

The surveyor who did the homebuyers did say that the house had "a lot of condensation"

Its approximately 1920s built house

No paperwork for anything like existing damp proof course as its a repossession.

Kilty_2

Doozergirl wrote: »

All surveys seem to suggest that you investigate the possibility of damp. I am dubious

Does seem to be quite common on home reports and the like.

Dampness, rot and infestation
2
High level damp readings were noted to some of the lower wall surfaces internally.

Currently wondering how I'd go about having someone inspect a property I'm looking at without getting the kind of service described in this thread, so keeping a close eye on it.

anselld

jaffs wrote: »

Quote says "higher than normal moisture readings on all ground floor walls"

The surveyor who did the homebuyers did say that the house had "a lot of condensation"

Its approximately 1920s built house

No paperwork for anything like existing damp proof course as its a repossession.

Ask the surveyor "Is it condensation or rising damp?". You paid them and they should know! It is an important fact as the solutions are completely different (as are the costs).

jaffs

Throughout the homebuyes rport the surveyor mentioned condensation.

I spoke to the surveyor about another issue at the beginning of the week and mentioned the damp, he said a lot was caused be defects such as leak in bathroom, chimney and roof damage. He said the rest was most probably just condensation and would be better once the property has heat and ventilation and the repairs to the above done. He did say that there may be a couple of areas of timber that needed some treatment and to consult a damp specialist.

I asked him if the damp was a worry he said to consult a specialist but he think much of its due to being empty and the extreme weather lately, he didn't seem too concerned.

At no point as he mentioned even the posibility of rising damp

tbs624

anselld wrote: »

Can you get a damp meter? Measure the whole wall and see if readings drop significantly above 1m (rising damp).

A damp meter? Do you mean the ones that are calibrated to read moisture levels in timber and yet are still shoved into plastered/brick walls?

anselld

tbs624 wrote: »

A damp meter? Do you mean the ones that are calibrated to read moisture levels in timber and yet are still shoved into plastered/brick walls?

Accurate calibration is not important in this instance. It is simply to establish if if there was a consistent drop in readings above a certain height which would indicate rising damp.

tbs624

themull1 wrote: »

It would put me off buying it to be honest!!

Many won't be put off properties with a report such as this - once you have repaired obvious contributory sources of damp and got a property heated and aired you'd be amazed at the difference it makes.

I'd disagree with anselld that black mould will always be present if the dampness is described by the surveyor as being due to condensation. Have rectified damp properties and this is not always the case.