DPC & Tanking

chrisrsmith

I am currently in the process of buying a cottage that is approx 150 years old. The walls are 18-24 inches thick.

I had a survey and the recommendation was that a damp specialist be appointed for a full survey as there was suspected rising damp.

The property has been lived in occasionally for the last 18 months. Prior to this, it was lived infer 22 years 'full time'.

I paid for the damp 'specialist' and he has recommended a DPC and also tanking to be added. There was note that some of the paths around the property are 150mm higher than the internal floor levels and also that the kitchen and bathroom do not have ventilation.

The cost of the works is around £2K - not huge amount but I want to ensure that this is the right thing to do.

I have been reading on the t'internet about damp proofing etc on old properties and there seems to be very mixed messages as to whether this should be done or not. In fact most seem to imply NOT to do this as it seals in damp.

My view is that the property is old, has had a full time resident for 22 years and 'if' they had needed/required a dpc or tanking, being a loving caring family, they would have done it.

What are the views from the Martin Lewis forum experts?;)

chrisrsmith

Property is in Wales (Carmarthen)

NewtoDIY

Damp proof specialists who sell products are rarely qualified to deal with older houses. If the outside ground level is higher than the internal ground, that should be your first remedial action. Depending on what the outside surface is made of, you might want to look at creating/installing a French drain around the perimeter of the property.

chrisrsmith

Hi - I am going to 'lower' the levels outside and maybe leave everything for a while and see how things 'dry' - I suspect with somebody living in the property priorly, general heat and ventilation will help.

teneighty

If the walls are as thick as you say they are possibly built with stone and possibly a rubble core. Installing a DPC will be extremely difficult and probably not terribly effective.


I would go with all the other things first like lowering external ground level if possible and depth of footings allows, heating and ventilating the property etc. If it really is rising damp that cannot be cured any other way then just the internal tanking with a cavity drain membrane.


Might be worth paying for a second opinion.