Considering Damp and Timber survey, worth it??

bbirm

Hi so I bought my house in June... it is a mid terrace. I had my dad come with me for the viewings (he is a generic handyman) and we deduced it was robust. We did not bother with a survey. However, with the recent heavy rain my loft bedroom has begun to have discoloured paint. I have filed a claim with my insurance who said they are looking to survey it under "Storm/Tempest" damage. The surveyor is due to come on Monday. I have also noticed one of the gutters has been leaking in two places, causing rainwater to drip down the porous stone and start a small mould problem in the living room which is currently at bay with a dehumidifier and fungicide. I am going to get the gutters cleaned in a week or so. Now I live alone and naturally I am a paranoid person.. should I opt for a damp and timber survey? The house was built circa 1900. I am a first time buyer and don't have too much cash at hand right now so should I opt for a damp and timber survey once I have sorted out the existing damp issues???

Doozergirl

From the roof and the gutter?

You know where the issues are, there's no need for a damp survey, just common sense, which you appear to have already. Sort the leaks, let them dry, job done. When you have a roofer up there, they can check the timbers. If it's a new leak then it's highly unlikely there will be any rot.

Insurers won't cover a lack of maintenance, so I'd brace yourself as most of the time these things aren't storm damage, but a lack of maintenance. The rain we've been having will find any flaws in the existing set up and exploit it!

There's a reason for surveys - they usually save you more than they cost. Next time, get one.

No D&T survey. There is literally no reason to have one.

bbirm

I know where the visible issues are yes. But obviously I can't speak for under the floor if there are any problems. Regarding the roof I concluded it was storm damage as it's been raining before and no damp came through for several months, except as of recent when it has been incredibly windy and quite torrential. Now I think about it I won't have any leg to stand on without proof of the roof's condition when I purchased the house as I'm sure they don't care about local weather reporting... oh well

Doozergirl

Why do you think there might be problems under the floor?

If there's no evidence of damp, it doesn't exist.

If you get any of those cheap/free people out, they'll find it anyway!

Seriously, if there is no evidence then you don't have any issues.

happypie

just fyi, Rentokil offers free damp survey and free wet/dry floorboard fungus survey. you can utilize those and decide if you want to purchase their solution afterwards.

FreeBear

happypie wrote: »

just fyi, Rentokil offers free damp survey and free wet/dry floorboard fungus survey.

No they do not (well, not a true survey). What they do offer is a sales pitch based on scare tactics to flog expensive and dubious treatments that do not actually fix the source of the problem.


Fix the source of the damp, and the treatments from the likes of Rentokil are not needed.

Mistral001

This is a maintenance, or lack of maintenance, problem. You are fortunate that you have a handyman father who will be able to do the maintenance without charging the earth (I assume).

bbirm

Just looked at my house deeds and found a damp and timber survey from 1990. It says a wet rot infestation was found and dealt with. There is a 30 year guarantee. What should I do?

bbirm

Oops, it is a guarantee for the damp proof course that was applied back then.

Doozergirl

bbirm wrote: »

Oops, it is a guarantee for the damp proof course that was applied back then.

Get therapy? This is an anxiety issue, not a damp issue.