Survey done but it says that there may be damage to the damp proof course - pls help

hopejp

Hi,

I have recently had a home buyer report done on a house I am looking to buy. There has recently been a small extension added to the kitchen and the survey is saying that there is evidence of dampness in parts of the internal walls and that the damp proof course may have been damaged.

I was hoping that someone would be able to tell me what does damage to the damp proof course really mean and has anyone got an idea of how much it costs (I know that's a big ask with no info) to 'fix'?

Would be much appreciated,
J

tigeress289

It sounds like the damp proof barrier was damaged when fitted and is letting water rise. This can be cured by having the wall drilled and injected with a liquid damp proof barrier. The cost should be in the region of £200/300. You should receive a guarantee for these works by the company doing it. You can easily find a local damp proof company, just by doing a google search or looking up local tradesmen.It is easily cured.

Leif

I'm not sure these Home Buyer's Reports are particularly reliable. Mine missed loads of issues, none serious thankfully. There could be another cause for the damp. But I would not get a damp proofing company to do a survey, there are far too many stories of these 'free' surveys always diagnosing rising damp which is 'cured' with a chemical damp proof course etc. You could pay an independent damp specialist to take a look, or give it a gander yourself and check for sources of damp.

tony6403

It is difficult to imagine how a dpc could be "damaged" during installation. This stage of work should have been inspected under building regs. when the extension was built and it would be advisable to check with your local authority.
Good that the surveyor has spotted the damp ( and it may indeed be faulty dpc ) but there could be so many other causes in a kitchen environment.

Rotor

Give the person who did the survey a ring. I found they were a lot more open and honest than they were in writing. The written report was couched in a lot of 'could be' 'maybe' and 'needs further investigation' ; by phone he'll probably give you his best guess as to the likely cause .

iamcornholio

It means you have had a numpty do the survey and he has not got a clue

How can a professional surveyor make such an assumption when there are several other possibilities?

Also, is it actually rising damp or penetrating damp or just condensation? He needs to qualify which. Give him a ring and ask him to explain