Damp proofing

gillykms

Hi all,

I have read a number of threads on here regarding damp proofing which are very useful and would like to share my own issues with you for some advice.

I purchased my house 3 years ago and had a specialist survey carried out then by Dampcheck/Woodtox as a requirement of my mortgage provider. Although they did identify some areas which they reported would require silicone injected dampproof system I did not proceed with it due to lack of funds. Having lived here for 3 years the damp areas aren't really very annoying as they're not very visible, perhaps just for one patch in the livingroom and the fact my 8 year old neice walks in & says it smells of damp!

My issue is that I would like to rent my house out and perhaps sell in 5+ years and I am unsure if I should proceed with the damp proof course now that I can afford it or not bother seeing as I am going to be moving out? It's one of those houses that you feel like you've already spent thousands on it with nothing to show for it.

Having looked at the wall outside where the patch is in the livingroom the bricks have been painted and the paint is bubbling & falling off and there is a 'salty' like substance underneath. I also think that there is some re-pointed needed which maybe I could just do myself if gaps in the mortar is the cause?

I suppose I just really want to know others experience - is it really that big a problem and is getting it fixed worth it? I've read a lot of stories that say DPC's are useless!

All advice appreciated.

Mistral001

The Op seems to have a common sense approach here and perhaps if the OP bought themselves a good dampness meter and did a bit of investigation to see where the dampness is coming from they could come up with a solution. It could take a while to find it, but it can be done if you are willing to be patient. Also perhaps buy a good dehumidifier. If the air in the house is drier the damp patches will tend to be limited to isolated places usually and it will make it easier to find out where the dampness is coming from. The dampness could be caused partially by condensation and if it is that will make it very confusing in you attemptes to find the sourse of the water penetration. The dehumidifier will help totake the condensation out of the equation so to speak and perhaps enable you to pinpoint the problem more easily.

fishybusiness

My issue is that I would like to rent my house out and perhaps sell in 5+ years and I am unsure if I should proceed with the damp proof course now that I can afford it or not bother seeing as I am going to be moving out?

Someone may live in your house for 5+ years, and you are considering if you 'should' deal with the damp?

Fairly typical of 'low level' landlords?

warmhands.coldheart

If you are planning on selling the house, you have 2 scenarios.

1. Deal with the damp and sell it in tip top condition and try get as much as you can for it.

or

2. Don't deal with the damp and expect a fairly huge drop in the offers as it's not something anyone would want to deal with willingly unless they are going to gain from it... i.e. knock a great big chunk off your asking price.

It's a Buyers market.... Remember this!

Also remember if you are doing the job "right", you should in theory be removing the first 1.2m (Minimum) of all plaster work above ground level on the walls injected. This is "by the book" but I know not all people do it as it is a big and costly job.

Taken from a damp Proofing Company Website:

Why is it necessary to re-plaster walls following a damp proof course injection?
Dampness rising from the ground carries with it a number of impurities that are detrimental to plasterwork. These include hygroscopic nitrate and chloride salts. Once plaster has been affected by hygroscopic salts it is unlikely to dry out even after a new damp proof course has been installed.
Is it true that some new methods of damp proofing do not require the replacing of plaster?Plaster is removed because of the salt damage that occurs to the plaster as a result of having rising damp. So, this is not true. Any damp proof course can be physically installed without necessarily removing plaster but it is unlikely the treated wall will dry out. Not including re-plastering work in a damp proof course installation may also affect any guarantee issued.