Damp companies don't 'do' concrete floors?

noelphobic

I have ongoing problems with damp and have rang several companies to ask them to have a look. I have been told by 2 big companies today that they don't do jobs where concrete floors are involved. When I asked one of the surveyors why this was he said it was because 'that's what builders do'.

As I have recently had major problems with builders it wasn't the answer I wanted to hear! I have had someone out and someone else coming on Thursday, both from small companies.

I know that a lot of people believe that damp 'people' will tell you that expensive and extensive work needs doing whether it does or not, and i am on my guard against it. However, I am wondering whether I am going to be able to get enough opinions/prices from the 'experts' to be able to make an informed choice.

As my previous builder came highly recommended but then let me down in so many ways, I am reluctant to go with a builder again.

Any opinions/advice welcome as always.

drummer_666

That's a bit odd - I've had 3 damp specialist companies come look at mine and I had solid floor

Will they not even come out to the property to do a report, seeing as you don't know if it's the floor or the wall that is the problem?

jc808

they might mean:

-if the damp is caused by lack of a membrane under a screed floor, rectifying it will be beyond there capabilities (cut up floor, skip, relay membrane and floor... big job

Mistral001

As jc808 say it usually involves ripping up the concrete floor and installing a DPM (usually done by a builder).

If you can allow the floor to be raised slightly a thick layer of asphalt laid on top of the concrete is sometimes used. It is the sort of thing that is used to waterproof concrete balconies and is usually done by roofing contractors. It tends to be an old-fashioned way of doing it, but it might be less expensive than ripping up the whole floor.

drummer_666

Mistral001 wrote: »

As jc808 say it usually involves ripping up the concrete floor and installing a DPM (usually done by a builder).

If you can allow the floor to be raised slightly a thick layer of asphalt laid on top of the concrete is sometimes used. It is the sort of thing that is used to waterproof concrete balconies and is usually done by roofing contractors. It tends to be an old-fashioned way of doing it, but it might be less expensive than ripping up the whole floor.

if the floor is damp, this will just seal the damp in and won't get rid of it!

i had damp companies that quoted to dig up my solid floor and lay dpm and then screed. i ended up using a builder tho as FAR cheaper

Mistral001

drummer_666 wrote: »

if the floor is damp, this will just seal the damp in

And that is called damproofing.

Ionkontrol

I have just fully tanked a room with a concrete floor.

traineepensioner

"If you can allow the floor to be raised slightly a thick layer of asphalt laid on top of the concrete is sometimes used. It is the sort of thing that is used to waterproof concrete balconies and is usually done by roofing contractors. It tends to be an old-fashioned way of doing it, but it might be less expensive than ripping up the whole floor."

That's exactly what we did....worked a treat, no damp since. Also leveled a slight hollow in the concrete floor.

Hintza

Is there a DPC? Is the ground level outside too high ie above any DPC?

MIL has a 250 year old house that was damp and had the ground level dropped then infilled with pea gravel retained by some kerbing.

You really have to understand where/how the damp is getting in. Some fixes can be incredibly easy.