Help deciphering survey results!

[Deleted User]

We had a full building survey done today on the house we're buying. Full report will take 3-5 days to arrive, but the surveyor has sent us this summary in the meantime-

'No detectable evidence of significant defects were identified but penetrating/rising damp meter readings were recorded in front bedroom and rear reception room due to respective defective flashing and lack of soakaway. Remedial treatment will involve corrective works to roof flashings and implementation of soakaway to small area to rear of main building.'

Now I know we'll need to get builder quotes for the work, and we will as soon as we have the full report- but as someone who is totally clueless to what the above means... Are we looking at a couple of thousand pounds, or tens of thousands of pounds? Just not sure how serious it is!

Thanks in advance!

martinsurrey

that is nothing in the grand scheme of things, and more than likely just covering his rear, meter readings are just about useless.

if they are all he found its a great house.

Davesnave

It sounds good to me too.

G_M

[Deleted User] wrote:

'No detectable evidence of significant defects were identified
That's the important bit

but penetrating/rising damp meter readings were recorded in front bedroom and rear reception room
meter readings are very unreliable. see below

due to respective defective flashing and lack of soakaway. Remedial treatment will involve corrective works to roof flashings
man + ladder; half hour to 3 hours depending how bad. £50 - £200?

and implementation of soakaway to small area to rear of main building.'
man with spade; half a day. £100 - £300
!

See

http://www.askjeff.co.uk/rising-damp/

stator

So a damp meter showed high readings, but there was no evidence of actual damp.

Sounds like no work needed at the moment but keep an eye on it.

Doozergirl

stator wrote: »

So a damp meter showed high readings, but there was no evidence of actual damp.

Sounds like no work needed at the moment but keep an eye on it.

Are we reading the same post?

"penetrating/rising damp meter readings were recorded in front bedroom and rear reception room due to respective defective flashing and lack of soakaway"

It gives clear reason for the reading and a remedy.

AdrianC

The flashing is the lead strip that forms a channel around chimneys or where you've got an internal corner in the roof. Over time, that starts to crack - or it may have been badly fitted originally. It's not a huge job for a roofer to check it and replace it.

As an emergency stop-gap, get up there on a ladder, and put some gaffer tape over any cracks you find, and clear out any build-up of leaves or other muck and rubbish.

Davesnave

AdrianC wrote: »

As an emergency stop-gap, get up there on a ladder, and put some gaffer tape over any cracks you find, and clear out any build-up of leaves or other muck and rubbish.

Something like Stixall would be better for a temporary fix:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adhesives+%26+Sealants/d180/Grab+Adhesive/sd3199/Stixall+Adhesive+%26+Sealant+290ml/p77137

[Deleted User]

Thanks all for the replies. I'll wait for the full report to come in before I think about getting someone to take a look, but that has reassured me slightly!

It's a flat roof, if that helps (built that way we believe, as opposed to an amendment).

G_M

Ah - well flat oofs have a shorter lifespan than ridged roofs anyway. Depending on quality of the felt used (or some better more modern materials), and the wear & year it suffers, 12 - 30 years?