Damp Proofing Advice - First Time Buyer

nicoleclaire123

Hello,

I apologise as Energy isn't really the right forum for this but I wasn't sure where else to post.

My other half and I are first time buyers and we've just exchanged on a Victorian mid terrace house which our mortgage survey advised might have some rising damp. We've now had two quotes but the reports have inconsistencies in the areas they have noted as having damp. Both quotes came from companies with an interest in doing the work who provided a free survey (I can't seem to find a company in the Reading area who will provide an impartial survey that we pay for if anyone knows of one it would be fantastic). Neither quote was so terrifying that we wanted to run from the house but obviously they're not taking into account the cost of replastering the walls and any residual effort to make good.

The house doesn't smell damp and there is nothing visibly wrong but I don't want to be naive in thinking that we can just ignore it. That being said, online opinions on damp seem to range between utter panic and total cynicism as to whether it's even really a problem. Our mortgage didn't have retention so it can't be all that bad. My other half has decided that he can do the work himself but i'm sceptical as to whether it's a good idea or will just cost more money in the long run.

Has anyone installed a damp proof course themselves and did it give the desired result? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Nicole

zaax

No such thing as rising damp, solve the source of the problem. http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/risingdamp/risingdamp.htm

CashStrapped

If you must get someone in, look for a chartered surveyor who is part of RICS. Ring a few, get their opinion over the phone and see what they say. They will be impartial and not linked to any damp company, who are just there to sell their product. Most of the time, the exotic damp solutions are not required.

As zaax point out above, it is quite often to do with, poor heating, poor ventilation, bad living habits (drying clothes inside) or a mix of all three. The damp maybe a left over from the previous occupants.