Survey Results

JohnFTB

Hi

So we got survey results back.

Serious defects listed, Gas/Electricity/Heating looked fine but surveyor not a specialist etc so not too concerned.

Blocked drain/gulley out the back but no drain cover or access within property so not covered in report, may be expensive? Again not too concerned.

Low level damp on some/most walls, which I was expecting and is to be expected on the type/age of the house. Report states on a few wall, rang surveyor and they are on holiday so unable to find their true opinion.

I'm happy to press ahead as valued at asking price but other half thinks we now need damp expert in and i'm being wreckless as its listed as urgent attention?

Slightly lost and confused FTB.:D

Doozergirl

Is there any physical evidence of damp? The meters don't actually measure 'damp'. They at least need to get their meter into the brick behind to measure for a genuine issue. It could be condensation on the walls from cooking or washing, a cold spot where there's a gap in the flooring at the edge of a room or no indulation. Indeed, it could be a maintenance issue causing some dampness.

Most 'damp specialists' will sell you a chemical DPC even when you don't need one. If there is no physical evidence, it isn't damp.

You can make sure via maintenance that the ground level is lower than the original DPC by 150mm. If you have suspended floors, keep the airbricks clear and plentiful. Insulate walls but keep rooms ventilated. Keep the house warm. Keep gutters clear. Keep render in good condition.

Unless there's actual evidence of a damp issue, I would ignore. Get someone out and you'll be down the rabbit hole with expensive quotes for unnecessary work in no time.

Damp is solved via maintenance in almost all cases, not expensive measures to hide it. I have seen houses on these boards where people have had these expensive solutions but the specialists haven't actually touched or recognised the blatant cause of the problem which was obvious in the photos!