Damp Proof Problems with existing guarantee

ClaireAnn30

Hi everyone,

Hoping someone can help...

I bought a property last year which is an 1800s sandstone house.
Before buying the property I had a home buyers report which stated that there was some evidence of damp (that's as much detail as I got).
I insisted that a specialist damp and timber specialist survey the property however the previous home owners refused him entry claiming they had a warranty for a damp course they had in. I requested a copy and this is still valid until October 2018 (sovereign chemicals Ltd). When I stated I wasn't happy about this, they said they'd arranged for a surveyor to come round themselves. I was then issued a report (sovereign assured contractor) which stated it was nothing more than a slight condensation issue. I went ahead with the purchase of the house.
Since then, I've noticed tide marks around the walls, salts and minerals penetrating through the wall paper, odours, wall paper practically falling off, crumbling plaster, etc.
After looking at the warranty and the survey report again, I've noticed that the contractor is the same guy on each. I've been informed he has now retired. I called sovereign and they have basically shown no interest and said if the contractor is no longer in business then the warranty is no longer valid and isn't their problem.
I've had quotes for getting the work repaired and am looking at a lot of money for a new damp course, plastering, joinery, etc.
I was wondering if anyone could advise where I stand or what I should do next?
Any help would be greatly appreciated

Hoploz

Oh dear. There are many reasons for damp. Damp proof course is only relevant to one cause. They should not have refused your survey, and you should not have proceeded without your chosen inspections being allowed.

For example, the wrong type of wall coverings such as plaster can prevent the walls from breathing the way they should. And the obvious such as leaky guttering, wrong ground levels ... There are many causes for damp.

You need to find the cause by having a proper surveyor coming in and determining what's what. You'll need to pay for this and whatever remedial work is required. But it's too late to go back to your seller, and tbh chances are the damp course is a red herring.

FreeBear

Sandstone walls.... Are they solid stone walls ?
Any cement render on the outside and/or pink gypsum plaster on the inside ?

If so, I'll stick my neck out and say that it has nothing to do with a damp proof course.