Damp!

Libra1975

We have seen a house which has been flagged with damp in a previous survey where the sale fell thru (apparently not because of the damp), the owner had an estimate done of £2.5K to fix the damp in the dining room however there is also damp in the living room. Apparently this is being caused by the fact the foundation is tar and the house is 100 years old. The house is on at £275K and we really like it but as FTB we are nervous about the damp and what might happen in the future. Are we right to be nervous or just being scaredy cats?
Any advice would be gratefully recieved as we really love the house.
http://www.dezrez.com/DRApp/Search.ASP?WCI=Particular&WCE=00891135

Debt_Free_Chick

Libra1975 wrote: »

Apparently this is being caused by the fact the foundation is tar and the house is 100 years old.

Are you sure the foundations are tar in a house of that age? Would be unusual.

Have you had a survey yet? If not, specifically ask the surveyor to comment on the damp especially the likely cause. Don't just get a "Damp Treatment Company" in as all they want to do is to sell you a chemical treatment. You need a surveyor with specific knowledge of damp in properties of this age.

Libra1975

Thanks for your reply, we have not made an offer yet hence have not had our own survey done.
I am not 100% certain about the tar foundation, I just thought that's what the vendor said when we asked him about the damp!
I have to admit none of the usual signs of damp are anywhere is the house, and the vendor said they had someone come round and do a moisture reading(! the things you learn about when buying a house!) and it was only 8%!

We are being scardey cats aren't we?

Debt_Free_Chick

Libra1975 wrote: »

We are being scardey cats aren't we?

Not at all - but you don't know what you're dealing with. The moisture reading could have been condensation, as a result of poor ventilation.

Damp can be rising - coming up through the floor - or penetrative, usually due to a leaking gutter above.

You can't really make any assumptions or plans until you have a survey, though.

Debt_Free_Chick

I see it has UPVc double glazing .... "damp" could simply be condensation, which would be solved if the windows were left open.

Libra1975

The vendor said when it was flagged in the previous survey he got some in to have a look at it and even got an estimate to fix it, that company were the ones who said it was coming up from the floor.

Debt_Free_Chick

Libra1975 wrote: »

The vendor said when it was flagged in the previous survey he got some in to have a look at it and even got an estimate to fix it, that company were the ones who said it was coming up from the floor.

But this was probably a Damp Treatment Company. They always say that as they want to sell you their chemical treatment :rolleyes:

You really need a survey, by the right surveyor, to establish the cause first - and only then can you know what the options are for remedy.

A damp course was installed in the property when it was built, to prevent damp rising through the floor. If the property now has rising damp, then the cause of that needs to be established. The existing damp course might have failed - or it might not be rising damp at all. A simple moisture reading will not reveal the cause, though.

Libra1975

Thanks for your help, I am trying to decide what amount to offer for the house and whether to take the price of the damp of now or wait until the survey and then turn around and say you need to reduce your price.

I have to say the more I learn about house hunting the more I think there needs to be a better way for EA to value a house rather than just say it's got 3 beds, 2 receptions and is in this area and therefore it's worth this much. Whilst I know HIPs have a lot of opposition if they included survey information at least buyers would know what they are getting themselves into from the start!