Damp course query

emay

Our neighbour is currently having a damp course done, got home from work today to find a scrap of paper pushed through the letter box saying please ring us about damp next door (from company doing work).

When b/f rang them he told us as its the party wall he needs to do our side too. When we've told them theres no sign of any damp our side, and asked him again why he needs to do our side, he just keeps replying because its the party wall and started getting very insistent its done!

Is it usual for both sides of a party wall to be done at the same time, or is it ok to do one side and we do it when we can afford it?

We will be asking a different company's opinion, but he's calling back tomorrow and we probably won't have had chance to speak to anyone by then (let alone get them round too)

thanks

iamcornholio

The neighbour should have served a Party Wall Notice on you for injecting the party wall (ref: Party Wall etc Act 1996). Hit him about the head with that one

If the party wall is solid then yes both sides should be injected else the treatment is ineffective. But if you have not got a damp issue then that implies that the wall does not have a rising damp problem

If the party wall is cavity, then you should not need it injecting anyway

Be aware that the treatment is not just injection, but plastering to about 1m high too

You are under no obligation to have the work done.

Thunderbird_2

If there is no damp on your side, no reason to do anything.

My gut feeling is that, since it is a party wall, the company wants to avoid the hassle of serving notice.getting surveyors involved, etc, before they can do work on a party wall BY getting YOU to consent the work on your side as well.

Getting another company might not be very helpful as it they might invent a damp problem to get work done.

There is a possibility that your neighbour is being taken for a ride here!

That is my cynical part of me!

mikey72

There is also the possibility when they inject it can blow through the wall, and jet out of the other side, which will be in you room, so it's easier to do a party wall from both sides.

emay

just had a look at the companys website and the use a plastic membrane, not injection, it does say on the website that if its party wall it needs to be done both sides.

iamcornholio

emay wrote: »

just had a look at the companys website and the use a plastic membrane, not injection, it does say on the website that if its party wall it needs to be done both sides.

That would be unusual, if they are not using an injected system

You have no contract or obligation with your neighbour or this company to have the work done. Any work you have done on your side of the wall will be (it seems) wholly for the benefit of the neighbour and the company - in that it will allow them to offer the neighbour a warranty

If you are to have this work done, then I would suggest you allow them to do it at no cost to you, with a full warranty, with everything make good afterwards to your satisfaction, and perhaps some compensation for your inconvenience