how do I find a good damp specialist

noelphobic

I've had major problems with damp in my kitchen and bathroom (both in ground floor extension). I have had some work done to repair the damage that was caused and to stop it coming back. However, there is still a problem with damp on one of the walls and obviously I need to stop it getting any worse.

I have had major problems with the builders (long story) and feel that this should be looked at by someone who specialises in damp - I wish I had done this in the first place but it's too late now.

I am very wary of getting anyone in because of the problems I have had and don't really want to just pick someone out of the yellow pages. I am also fearful that if I pick a large faceless company they will tell me I need major and expensive work doing whether I do or not.

Because it is a specialised area I don't think any of my friends or family have used one so can't look for recommendations there.

Any tips/advice would be really appreciated as I am at the end of my tether over this :mad:

drummer_666

i've just had damp proofing works done

where abouts are you? if anywhere near Birmingham use Marston Timber they were excellent and good price

If not, you want to use one from Property Care Association - they won't rip you off and they will solve the problem, rather than just do a fix that will later come back and rather than doing extra work that isn't actually needed

http://www.property-care.org/

look on there, you will find damp specialist in your area

get a couple in to quote

if they tell you it is rising damp, if you knock off the plaster yourself, which shouldn't take too long with a chisel/bolster and big hammer it will save you a lot of money (i.e it took me a couple of hours and saved me couple of hundred pounds)

noelphobic

drummer_666 wrote: »

if they tell you it is rising damp, if you knock off the plaster yourself, which shouldn't take too long with a chisel/bolster and big hammer it will save you a lot of money (i.e it took me a couple of hours and saved me couple of hundred pounds)

the wall/floor that is damp is underneath a kitchen cupboard and worktop so that would be far from straightforward! I've also not long had expensive floor tiles fitted (although obviously they don't go under the worktop) so am very worried in case they are affected.

drummer_666

noelphobic wrote: »

the wall/floor that is damp is underneath a kitchen cupboard and worktop so that would be far from straightforward! I've also not long had expensive floor tiles fitted (although obviously they don't go under the worktop) so am very worried in case they are affected.

it's annoying, but if it is rising damp then it needs doing to fix it. But it may not be rising damp, so def look at the PCA I linked to and get someone to come out and do a report for you - they won't charge you and they will give you an accurate solution

noelphobic

drummer_666 wrote: »

it's annoying, but if it is rising damp then it needs doing to fix it. But it may not be rising damp, so def look at the PCA I linked to and get someone to come out and do a report for you - they won't charge you and they will give you an accurate solution

Just had a look. There's only one or two in my area but will give them a ring and see what they say.

The pointing on this wall was redone recently so I've been hoping against hope that it was just taking a while for the wall to dry out. We have had a lot of rain recently which hasn't helped. There was also some tins of paint etc left against the wall which wasn't a good idea, but they have now been moved. However, I have noticed after it has been raining and the flagstones have started to dry out there is a sort of tide mark on the floor for an inch or so nearest to the wall.

I really wish I had got a damp specialist in before I had any of the recent work done on my house because I am worried that I have wasted my money if anything drastic needs to be done to solve the problem.

I bought a device that tests humidity and when it is left on the floor where the problem is it constantly reads at 99%! When I move it anywhere else in the house the reading starts to go down very quickly.

dad62

The Property Care Association (PCA) is definitely the way to go as they don't let in any of the real cowboys. However there's quite a lot of difference even between PCA companies - so get 2 or 3 in and ask them a few questions to see which ones know what they are talking about. Also when comparing quotes have a good look to see if they are all quoting for the same amount of work (e.g. for a rising damp treatment some might quote for replastering to just above the height of the damp whilst some might quote for floor to ceiling replastering).

noelphobic

Phoned a couple of the companies from the PCA website today and found that they don't do jobs involving concrete floors. When I asked one of the surveyors why that was he said 'because that's what builders do'.

Part of the reason why I am in this mess is because of my builders and we have now parted company acrimoniously - long story!

I have had someone local in who has quoted and is putting it in writing. Also someone else is coming on Thursday. These were both from small ads. I will see if they are both quoting for the same work and also see if I can find someone else to get a price from.

I had such a bad experience with my builders that I am reluctant to have anyone else in but I need to get this sorted once and for all.

dad62

It's a shame they were not more helpful. Some damp-proofing contractors get more involved in the general building side of things than others so it might be worth contacting a couple of other PCA contractors.

The key problem is identifying what is causing the dampness and how it can be rectified. Do you have any idea what may be causing the damp - or even a photo of the damp areas?

noelphobic

dad62 wrote: »

It's a shame they were not more helpful. Some damp-proofing contractors get more involved in the general building side of things than others so it might be worth contacting a couple of other PCA contractors.

The key problem is identifying what is causing the dampness and how it can be rectified. Do you have any idea what may be causing the damp - or even a photo of the damp areas?

They both just said that they don't do jobs involving concrete flooring at all.

I have now had 2 people in to have a look and have had a price off one, awaiting one from the other one. The first guy seems to be advocating more radical work than the 2nd one but I haven't got anything in writing from either of them. They seemed to agree that there is a problem with the damp proof course in the dining room but differed in their opinion on what was going on in the kitchen. The 2nd one thought it was condensation but I can't see how it is. I have the windows open all the time when I am home and the dehumidifier on when I am out.

Someone suggested getting in touch with a PCA approved surveyor and I am coming round to that idea but there doesn't seem to be any in my area - although the PCA website isn't the best so I could be wrong. I asked for people/companies in the North West and they gave me details from all over the UK!

noelphobic

dad62 wrote: »

Also when comparing quotes have a good look to see if they are all quoting for the same amount of work (e.g. for a rising damp treatment some might quote for replastering to just above the height of the damp whilst some might quote for floor to ceiling replastering).

silly question I suppose, but is it better to have the whole wall replastered?

dad62

noelphobic wrote: »

silly question I suppose, but is it better to have the whole wall replastered?

Generally it's better to replaster to the full height of the wall for a couple of reasons:

1) Replastering specifications for damp-proofing tend to be quite thick, so it is difficult to match them in with the existing plaster (which may only be 5 to 10mm thick) - although you can use a dado rail to hide this.

2) If the damp-proof course is ineffective the damp will continue to rise up the wall. If the damp-proof plaster only goes up to (say) a metre above floor level the damp can reappear above this level. Obviously this can be avoided by installing a properly functioning damp-proof course in the first place - i.e. use a decent damp-proofing product and get someone who knows what he/she is doing to install it.