Selling with damp.

Tyler119

Is the damp near an exterior wall which is close to an external drain? The testing device the surveyor uses was not designed to diagnose damp exactly; really on in wood. The device only picks up on surface dampness, which is why the type of dampness is commonly miss-diagnosed.

I would get it fixed as it will likely be cheaper than how much a seller will want you to be flexible on price. If you do get a company to fix it, get a written guarantee that is transferable if a property is sold.

makeitstop

Tyler119 wrote: »

Is the damp near an exterior wall which is close to an external drain? The testing device the surveyor uses was not designed to diagnose damp exactly; really on in wood. The device only picks up on surface dampness, which is why the type of dampness is commonly miss-diagnosed.

I would get it fixed as it will likely be cheaper than how much a seller will want you to be flexible on price. If you do get a company to fix it, get a written guarantee that is transferable if a property is sold.

Damp from a drain is not going to get on the ceiling.

G_M

on the ceiling in two upstairs bedrooms.

Either

* a leaking roof (broken /slipped tile(s)?) Have you looked? Binoculars from the other side of the road. Or go up into the attic during the day and look for daylight through the roof. Or indeed for damp in the attic.

* or a blocked/leaking /overflowing gutter. Take a look next time it rains. Yes you'll get wet, but you'll spot the problem!

* conceivably a leaking pipe in the attic eg overflow from the water tank.....?

AdrianC

Fix it.

Not only will it put a lot of people off the house completely, but those who aren't put off will demand a far bigger reduction in the purchase price than the cost of fixing it.

It may just be an hour up a ladder for you. It may be half a day of a roofer's time. It may be a bit of digging to lower the ground level.

One thing's for sure, it'll be a damn sight cheaper to fix it now than to repair the effects of long-term moisture damage.

DRP

gibsong1983 wrote: »

I know people say is it damp or condensation but im pretty sure its damp, in fact im certain its damp. What will be the best way to sort this, be honest when people view the house? get the repairs done and take the hit? its noticeable in the kitchen and living room but also now on the ceiling in two upstairs bedrooms.
Help....:A:mad:

This isn't at all clear.

When you say 'damp', do you mean you are getting mould growing in the kitchen & living room (ground floor), and now in 2 bedrooms (upstairs)? Or do you mean damp staining? Or do you mean you can see liquid water drops on surfaces?

Either you have multiple problems, and the ones you describe are unrelated, or you have condensation/humidity issues which are affecting the whole house.

Some thing can be easily fixed (lowering external groundl evels, fixing gutters & leaks, installing airbricks) , others may be more difficult (neighbouring properties affecting your house).

gibsong1983

Thank you all for your replies! I'm a roofer by trade so I've checked the roof and no leaks there. The damp up stairs wipes away and is more of a black mould colour whereas the stains in the kitchen won't come off. A building surveyor has quoted 250 to come and diagnose the damp. But I feel as if he will just tell me what I think I know. Thanks again.

Katgrit

1) £250 is a good price for a damp survey. I paid about £380 for mine. I'm under the impression that black mould IS due to ventilation and condensation issues so it'll be money well spent to tell you FACTS rather than what you *think* you know. The guy who did mine also picked up on an other few structural things "for free", advised me how the damp had occured and different fixes for it with rough estimates of what I should be paying tradesmen to fix it. He doesn't do any work himself so he wasn't touting for business, and told me what to watch our for when I was looking for companies to fix it. £380 very well spent.
2) My damp house will cost about £4,000 to fix. However I was "so horrified" by this that I played my cards well and negotiated the house down from £120,000 to £100,000. That could be your equity gone!

GoldenShadow

Damp scares people off. I would have walked away from a damp house because there are plenty of non damp houses available.

Our house has had damp historically, but has none now and only one solid wall (rest cavity). Was a rental but recently replastered and has a vent in each room etc. We're getting cracks in the render sealed, slipped tiles replaced and gutters cleaned and patched up ASAP because I don't want to get damp to then have to get rid. My mum has had it at her two last houses and unless you have a unique or very sought after property I imagine people would knock a good chunk off price.

gibsong1983

Done a bit more research and perhaps it isn't damp. We dry a lot of washing on a maiden or radiators and possibly this is causing condensation especially on external cold walls. Going to invest in a condensing tumble dryer, it's worth a try. Thanks again for your help.

macman

Seems you have lived in the house for x years without any attempt to find the cause-it's either condensation, rising damp or penetrating damp, and it's simple enough to determine which.
If it's the former, simply improve the ventilation-why buy a tumble drier just before you move?