Damp proofing

gillykms

Hi all,

I have read a number of threads 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 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.

Leif

Were the people who did the original survey independent or were they also selling damp proofing?

gillykms

They do carry out damp proofing although I have heard that they do give a fair quote. I paid £75 for the survey, it wasn't an 'intrusive' one, which I think at the time was double the price.

Leif

gillykms wrote: »

They do carry out damp proofing although I have heard that they do give a fair quote. I paid £75 for the survey, it wasn't an 'intrusive' one, which I think at the time was double the price.

Then I'd be careful as it is in their interest to diagnose something they can cure with expensive work. It might be worth you checking basics. Have you examined the guttering and made sure it is not blocked? Just go out in heavy rain, and make sure water is not splashing over the sides and onto the wall. (I did that and found the gutters were blocked, and water was cascading down onto the walls. It took 30 minutes to clear the blockage.) You say the paint on the external wall where damp is seen inside is peeling. Is it peeling elsewhere or just at that one spot? That will tell you whether or not it it likely to be coincidence or association. Do you have cavity walls? There are a lot of things that could cause damp. Leaking gutter, a roof leak allowing water into the cavity, cavity wall insulation in a damp climate (it can stop airflow, allowing damp to build up), a bridged cavity (rubble or whatever in the gap), condensation (drying clothes indoors, not having a fan in the bathroom, lots of damp plant pots) and so on. I'm not an expert, far from it, but going by comments here, there are a lot of dodgy characters about. (I've met some, and my late mother had them queuing up outside to rip her off.)