Damp and Timber Survey by Rentokil...

Lloyd300

Hi everyone, I need your valued opinions:

We are in process of buying a house. Had a valuation survey completed by Countrywide. They highlighted issues with Wood Boring Beetle Infestation and Penetrating Damp.

Got a Damp and Timber Survey done by Rentokil, I haven't as yet received the actual survey but was talking to to the surveyor on the phone. His main concern was a fungus present on the underside of the wooden lid on the cold water tank. Due to the presence of this "fungus" he has recommended that the entire loft insulation be removed and all the rest of the timbers be sprayed with a fungicidal treatment as the fungal spores are airborne and could attack the timbers if they ever got damp and this would cause wet rot, so it would be purely a preventative measure to eliminate this risk, in his own words. He never mentioned that there was any actual sign of fungal decay (or penetrating damp or wood boring beetle infestation either).

Now, I have serious misgivings about this as you can imagine but is it likely that the lender (Woolwich) are likely to give credence to this and require these works to be carried out?

Am I wrong in the belief that carrying out £2000 worth of treatments just in case some fungal spores land on some perfectly sound timbers that could get damp in the future and then introduce wet rot. From some googling I'm being led to believe that wet rot can be eliminated just by drying out the timbers. The other thing that I came across on google that mold spores on the underside of a wooden lid of a cold water tank could be nothing more than condensation and mildew and is of no threat to the timbers whatsoever. Two separate species of fungi, one harmless to wood, the other not so harmless if the timbers somehow get damp...

Your opinions please!

AnotherJoe

Seems OTT to me I'd just ensure there was sufficient ventilation, if the loft timbers are wet fix that rather than spray for non existent mould.

G_M

Lloyd300 wrote: »

Hi everyone, I need your valued opinions:

We are in process of buying a house. Had a valuation survey completed by Countrywide. They highlighted issues with Wood Boring Beetle Infestation and Penetrating Damp.

Got a free Damp and Timber [STRIKE]Survey[/STRIKE]sales inspection done by Rentokil,
Yes? So hardly independant or unbiased.......

I haven't as yet received the actual survey but was talking to to the surveyor on the phone. His main concern was a fungus present on the underside of the wooden lid on the cold water tank.
?? :rotfl:??

Is this a wind up? Is he winding you up or are you winding us up?

So the underside of a cover on a tank full of water is damp and has fungus? The cover is wood?

Buy a plastic insulated cover.

Sorted.

Due to the presence of this "fungus" he has recommended that the entire loft insulation be removed and all the rest of the timbers be sprayed with a fungicidal treatment as the fungal spores are airborne and could attack the timbers if they ever got damp
Is there any reason why the timbers should get damp?
Does the roof leak? If so, fix it.
Is the loft not ventilated? Ventilate it.

and this would cause wet rot, so it would be purely a preventative measure to eliminate this risk, in his own words. He never mentioned that there was any actual sign of fungal decay (or penetrating damp or wood boring beetle infestation either).
He's a pretty good salesman I'd say.

Now, I have serious misgivings about this as you can imagine but is it likely that the lender (Woolwich) are likely to give credence to this and require these works to be carried out?
Depends if they see the report.

Why on earth did you go to Rentokil? Oh! Yes! Because it was free.......!!!!!

Am I wrong in the belief that carrying out £2000 worth of treatments just in case some fungal spores land on some perfectly sound timbers that could get damp in the future and then introduce wet rot. errrr.... what's the end of the sentence?

From some googling I'm being led to believe that wet rot can be eliminated just by drying out the timbers.
Are the timbers wet? That is much more significant? Wet why?

The other thing that I came across on google that mold spores on the underside of a wooden lid of a cold water tank could be nothing more than condensation and mildew
of course it is. Replace the cover with a plastic one. £5?

and is of no threat to the timbers whatsoever.
Correct
Two separate species of fungi, one harmless to wood, the other not so harmless if the timbers somehow get damp...

Your opinions please!

Hope this helps........

Lloyd300

Not really GM, thanks anyway.

The reason why I went to Rentokil was they are PCA approved which was a stipulation by the lender. The Damp and Timber Survey cost £125.

jacko74

Well if you didn't find GM's reply helpful then there is probably no helping you... just go along with everything the Rentokil salesman has already told you.

Lloyd300

All that I would like to know is the Woolwich likely to want to have these works carried out as a condition of mortgage acceptance? I don't want it done, neither does the vendor but if it has appeared on the survey is it likely that the Woolwich will require it?

kingstreet

It's likely the report findings will result in a retention of the amount required to rectify the defects.

If you wish to continue, you will need to find that money as additional deposit.

If you then get the required work done within six months, the property can be reinspected and the retention released.

For those reading this in future, always get inspections done by those who do not have any interest in doing remedial work. It will cost more for the report, but less in the long-run as you know no-one has any interest in doing questionable or unnecessary work so they can make a living;-

http://www.independentdampsurveyors.co.uk/

Doozergirl

Lloyd300 wrote: »

All that I would like to know is the Woolwich likely to want to have these works carried out as a condition of mortgage acceptance? I don't want it done, neither does the vendor but if it has appeared on the survey is it likely that the Woolwich will require it?

If they do, they won't enforce it as a condition before purchase, they'll ask for it to be done after - which means you actually have the option not to (from my experience). I don't think it's serious enough for retention.

And GM's post was most informative, correct and good time was taken over it. . The Rentokil guy is paid to sell you something and lacks a moral compass.

antrobus

Lloyd300 wrote: »

Not really GM, thanks anyway.

The reason why I went to Rentokil was they are PCA approved which was a stipulation by the lender. The Damp and Timber Survey cost £125.

This is the way the house buying business works.

A surveyor/valuer will almost always say there could be a problem with the timbers and recommend a specialist survey. This is purely in order to cover their behinds.

The specialist survey will almost always say that there is some work that should be done. This is purely because they will make some money out of getting that work done.

Is that any better?

Lloyd300

Much better thank you.

Is it likely that the mortgage company will insist on this work to be completed? I understand about a retention but as there is no actual defect, the timbers are dry and likely to remain so and the surveyor stated it was purely a preventative measure in the unlikely event that the timbers became damp for a prolonged period.

Do the mortgage companies generally adhere to the recommendations on these surveys?

All the PCA approved surveyors in the area are all small contractors so I thought I had a slim chance of a more even handed survey from a large company rather than a small one man band contracting outfit. I would have hired an independent PCA approved surveyor if one was in my area.

Thanks for all the replies.

G_M

Lloyd300 wrote: »

Not really GM, thanks anyway.

The reason why I went to Rentokil was they are PCA approved which was a stipulation by the lender. The Damp and Timber Survey cost £125.

He's a better salesman than even I thought!

You paid him to give him an opportunity to sell you something from his company.

What a business model!