Damp proofing confusion! HELP!

Clamac

We recently moved into a turn of the century mid terraced house. The kitchen and dining room (N facing) seem to have rising damp. I have had 4 people out to look at the problem and have been told the same thing - DPC needed. In the kitchen there is discolouration on wall and bubbly plaster there is also a strong foisty smell in cupboards which I have been told is probably a condensation problem (there is no extractor or radiator in the kitchen). The dining room has a small amount of the same visible problem inside on its external facing wall. The dining room has a traditional timber floor and is 1 ft lower than ground level of kitchen and yard.

So I have been told I need DPC in both rooms (going around the kitchen units is apparently acceptable?!). I intend to get a couple of new vents in both rooms but I am concerned about the floor in the DR and if I actually need to get this work done or not. Should i be spending money on lowering the ground levels outside instead? or both? Does the wet plaster need removing anyway? Only 1 of the 4 people who have been round have mentioned looking under the floor. One guy mentioned it but said it would ruin the floor so said they would have to tank the wall instead.

Don't know whether to get the DPC done and vents/extractor etc and see how it goes or whether to pay for independent specialist or just to redecorate and try and do something with the outside area instead? Any advice? We seem to be going round in circles!

TheCyclingProgrammer

Assuming you're being told you need a chemical DPC, this means a lot of internal re-plastering work too.

Does the house have an original DPC that is being bridged by outside ground levels or does it have none? If the former, I'd be looking at lowering the external ground levels, ensuring there are sufficient air bricks ducted to sub-floor level and improving passive ventilation throughout, as well as having a proper extractor put in the kitchen. If you can get some heating into the kitchen that will help too.

I'm guessing all 4 people you've had round are "damp surveyors" (really: chemical DPC salesmen), or have you had a paid independent survey?

Furts

My concern here is different. OP has moved in and in all probability a survey was undertaken prior to purchase. This surveyor has seen the issues and is the person to seek solutions relevant to this particular house.

Further, as OP appears to lack knowledge on damp and construction it is obvious that the first route would be to ask this surveyor for an explanation, or further investigation.

If this route is pursued and the results are not conclusive then the well meaning folks of this forum may be able to help. Damp is a serious issue and the rule of thumb is that professional advice should be sought - by this I do not mean damp proof surveyors who are really commission driven cowboys.