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New Build - Garage damp floor - causing stored items to get damp and go mouldy

2

Comments

  • Lorian
    Lorian Posts: 6,359 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I guess the level of the tarmac is higher than the level of the garage floor?


    I also guess the fall on the tarmac is sending water towards your wall?


    If I'm correct with both guess I'd be asking the builder to rectify, that tarmac should fall away from the wall.
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    It isn't normal, and ideally, there should be 150mm between ground level and your DPC.

    I can't see evidence of a DPC in either photo. There should be one.

    While a single skin wall subject to driving rain might get wet all the way through, this one is only like that near ground level. We can see this from the extent of dampness showing on the blockwork pier. Therefore, it's not penetrating damp, but surface water-related and that parking surface must be suspected.

    As there should be a DPM under the floor slab, that, if taken up the side of the wall, ought to be preventing the spread of any moisture across from wall to floor.
  • Jon_B_2
    Jon_B_2 Posts: 832 Forumite
    500 Posts
    Thanks for all the responses. Clearly I need to have a word with the developer (who are already chasing me to fill in the NHBC survey) and look to get this rectified.

    As a point of note, on the other side of the garage there is a patch of Tarmac, but with a storm drain in place and no dampness on that side.
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Garages are exempt from building regulations. There is no standard for them to meet, so there are no 'should haves' like DPCs, cavities or french drains. It's up to the developer.

    I can't see the pics on my phone, but while complaining costs nothing and might get a happy resolution if there is visible dampness, I wouldn't hold my breath at successfully getting the likes of NHBC on side when there is no set standard to meet.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • I am no expert at all, but I would think that there is a difference between being legally required to comply with building regulations and having contractual, and probably common law, duties of care, reasonable skill and fitness for purpose.

    If so, I would imagine that not fitting a DPC to such a building or not having left a gap between the wall and parking ground may be breaches of such duties.
    It does not seem unreasonable to claim that such a level of damp on a brand new garage is a defect.
  • Leo2020
    Leo2020 Posts: 910 Forumite
    I am no expert at all, but I would think that there is a difference between being legally required to comply with building regulations and having contractual, and probably common law, duties of care, reasonable skill and fitness for purpose.

    If so, I would imagine that not fitting a DPC to such a building or not having left a gap between the wall and parking ground may be breaches of such duties.
    It does not seem unreasonable to claim that such a level of damp on a brand new garage is a defect.

    It could be argued by the developer that the garage is there to house a car. It can house one and the damp shouldn't be a problem for the car as most cars are outside 24 hours a day.

    The OP can ask the developer to rectify and they might. If not then there is not a lot they could do, as pointed out previously the NHBC won't be interested. The do not cover things likes garages (unless it was integral and was having an effect on the house in which case they should act), boundary walls, fences, etc.
  • Leo2020 wrote: »
    It could be argued by the developer that the garage is there to house a car. It can house one and the damp shouldn't be a problem for the car as most cars are outside 24 hours a day.

    My understanding is that a DPC is also there to protect the structure of the building above it against rising damp.
    Leo2020 wrote: »
    If not then there is not a lot they could do

    The normal route if no agreement is reached is the legal route, but indeed it may be costly.
  • bigfreddiel
    bigfreddiel Posts: 4,263 Forumite
    Leo2020 wrote: »
    It could be argued by the developer that the garage is there to house a car. It can house one and the damp shouldn't be a problem for the car as most cars are outside 24 hours a day.

    The OP can ask the developer to rectify and they might. If not then there is not a lot they could do, as pointed out previously the NHBC won't be interested. The do not cover things likes garages (unless it was integral and was having an effect on the house in which case they should act), boundary walls, fences, etc.

    Damp will be a problem to a car, if outside it guests a continual flow of air which will prevent damp problems. In a sealed damp room it WILL be a problem.

    I e lived in 15+ properties and have never had a damp garage. Not a definitive survey, but good enough for me.

    The builder needs to remedy the situation.

    fj
  • Leo2020
    Leo2020 Posts: 910 Forumite
    My understanding is that a DPC is also there to protect the structure of the building above it against rising damp.



    The normal route if no agreement is reached is the legal route, but indeed it may be costly.

    If the builder isn't required to build with a damp proof course then there is not a legal route to pursue. Perhaps the OP should check this.
    Damp will be a problem to a car, if outside it guests a continual flow of air which will prevent damp problems. In a sealed damp room it WILL be a problem.

    I e lived in 15+ properties and have never had a damp garage. Not a definitive survey, but good enough for me.

    The builder needs to remedy the situation.

    fj

    Our garage is damp - I keep clearing out the soil at the back and I will be building a wall at some point to stop the soil falling back onto the garage.

    I have never know a garage be sealed - plenty of air flow in ours and the others I have seen. Garages don't have PVC windows/doors unlike a home so there should be air flow.

    I'm not saying I would be happy with a damp garage I'm just saying what the builders might say. They may say tough nothing wrong with it as it isn't meant to be habitable.
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Garage or storeroom, and the latter is often more common, a new outbuilding ought not to be as damp as the one pictured. It's just shoddy building.

    However, the OP should realise that at this time of year, the humidity inside unheated outbuildings is high, so belongings will pick up moisture from the air too.

    My barn floor isn't damp and it has an upstairs, but I still wouldn't leave a sofa in it during winter time.
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