Bought a house, discovered a damp wall under wallpaper

Ratlee

Hi, First time buyer here.


Me and my partner bought a property (completed a week ago). Now we're moving in and obviously start to discover that it's not all rainbows and unicorns.



We had Building Survey done, which claimed that damp readings were carried out and nothing came out. Quotes:

'Damp meter readings have been taken where possible without moving heavy furniture or being restricted by built-in fittings and/or wall linings.'
'There is an injected DPC installed to the front and rear elevations and there were no indications of
any rising dampness evident to ground floor walls.'


However, when we moved in, we discovered that on the wall adjacent to the neighbour's house (it's an end of terrace house) where the chimney used to be (no it's just a feature), wallpaper has been peeling off and was taped together by the previous owners. The wall is damp and frankly I am quite angry with myself for not noticing this, but also quite dumbfounded because professionals didn't find it either.


My question is - is there anything we can co in this situation to at least get some of the money for the eventual repair back? I took the pictures stating the facts and stopped ripping the wallpaper off the walls as I'm quite afraid to 'further destroy the evidence'.



To whom should I talk about it? Previous owners or Surveyors? Surely stating that there was 'no indication of dampness', while upon inspecting walls it's becoming apparent that there in fact is dampness is not professional?


Thank you for any suggestions. I know it is a rookie mistake not to check the walls, but I guess I was too happy with buying my 1st property to notice...


Kind regards.

Doozergirl

It probably isn't a big deal. It sounds minor and there's probably a cheap and easy fix. Don't stress.

What's on the other side of that wall? Can you photograph it?

Is it on the chimney breast or has that gone? If it's still there, is it open?

onwards&upwards

It’s your house now, you’ll have to pay.

Welcome to home ownership, it’s a mixed bag!

Ratlee

@Doozergirl On the other side of the wall is neighbour's house - Don't know exactly as didn't exchange courtesies yet



I also should have mentioned, that for the 7 years the previous owners lived there, they never opened ground floor windows as they didn't have the keys, so it might be condensation problem as well, possibly? (As soon as we moved in I unscrew the locks and open the windows whenever we're there.



I attach photos: (please delete the space between // and i.
https:// i.imgur.com/2TaL7fV.jpg
https:// i.imgur.com/RbeojeT.jpg

https:// i.imgur.com/RM9aCfp.jpg

https:// i.imgur.com/UFwrChs.jpg
https:// i.imgur.com/qisoDlD.jpg
https:// i.imgur.com/0xohquP.jpg



Thank you kindly for all our help and suggestions!

Doozergirl

https://m.imgur.com/2TaL7fV
https://m.imgur.com/RbeojeT
https://m.imgur.com/RM9aCfp
https://m.imgur.com/UFwrChs
https://m.imgur.com/qisoDlD
https://m.imgur.com/0xohquP


Pictures of the wallpaper don't really help

It would be better to post once the wallpaper has gone. And post the whole wall, we're looking for the context of what could cause it, not just look directly at it. That doesn't give any clues and of there's not even a bit of skirting board or ceiling, we don't know where it appears on the wall.

The only interesting thing I can see is a bit that might actually be wet on the paper in the corner. What's on the other side of that corner? Outside, or no?

That change in the colour of the actual plaster, that looks like newer plaster. How high above the ground? Is it wet above that line? I'm trying to work out if it is a tide mark.

theartfullodger

Buy large dehumidifier, run for a week, keep heating on in that room but doors & windows closed, empty regularly. See if that dries it.

Check for where it may come from - roof, gutter, bathroom leaks.

Your problem, you to pay & fix.

Mutton_Geoff

All damp comes from somewhere. Even breathing (see your bedroom windows in the morning). Most sources easy to fix. Old chimney breast? I bet the top is still open with a pot and no vent has been left at the bottom where the fireplace used to be.

Or flashing around chimney stack. Gutters are often a problem if blocked or allowing water to spill down the wall.

The fix is always the same. Repair the source and ventilate the room.

Old favourites like drying clothes on radiators with the windows closed or having a bath/shower with no vent fan and closed window etc.

I wouldn’t bother buying a dehumidifier or using it until you can be sure the source of damp is fixed. I have an Ebac 2650 which I’ve had for years and used extensively in house projects. It still runs well and I use it in the hall during the winter to keep coats/shoes etc dry. The house actually feels warmer with the air being dryer too.

I see they are on sale for less than £200 at the moment. Possibly a good long term investment? No connection to the business, just a happy customer.

https://www.ebac.com/dehumidifiers/

AdrianC

Ratlee wrote: »

We had Building Survey done, which claimed that damp readings were carried out and nothing came out. Quotes:

'Damp meter readings have been taken where possible without moving heavy furniture or being restricted by built-in fittings and/or wall linings.'

Situation normal. Surveyors don't move things.

However, when we moved in, we discovered that on the wall adjacent to the neighbour's house (it's an end of terrace house) where the chimney used to be (no it's just a feature), wallpaper has been peeling off and was taped together by the previous owners. The wall is damp and frankly I am quite angry with myself for not noticing this, but also quite dumbfounded because professionals didn't find it either.

Why didn't you notice? Was it because there was something in front of that wall...?

martinthebandit

Mutton_Geoff wrote: »

......Old chimney breast? I bet the top is still open with a pot and no vent has been left at the bottom where the fireplace used to be.

This ^ would be my bet too.

Ratlee

AdrianC wrote: »

Situation normal. Surveyors don't move things.


Why didn't you notice? Was it because there was something in front of that wall...?

No, nothing was there. We didn't notice because... I don't know, we didn't inspect the walls carefully enough and were too excited to see a nice looking house after a streak of failures.

Samuel745

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Atleast other people can learn from this too.


I'm about to exchange contracts on my first house purchased. When viewing, I checked every inch of the house. Even their kitchen cupboards. I spent i think about 1h 45m on the viweing. I dont know if thats normal but i loved the house alot and tried to find something wrong with it.