Rising Damp Issues Costly

CinderKona

I am trying to buy an ex rental house which I’d like to live in myself, but the survey and subsequent damp proof professional has highlighted some £3500 To fix the damp proof issues. I suppose you cannot move in until  it’s done but more concerning to me is this quite cost so may mean the house has been left to degrade by the landlords.
should I walk away?

AdrianC

By "damp proof professional", you mean "treatment salesman".

What does the survey actually say?

Doozergirl

AdrianC said:

By "damp proof professional", you mean "treatment salesman".

What does the survey actually say?

This. 

What is the source of the damp?  Because there is always a source, it's never coincidental.  Damp proof courses do not 'fail'.  

There will be water getting somewhere because something has either been added (ground level outside) or something hasn't been maintained correctly.  

Where is it?  Is it visible?  Can you smell it? 

The genuine solution is usually cheaper and a lot less disruptive than hacking off plaster and disguising the damp behind render, only for it to re-appear  later.  

AskAsk

so the quote from the damp proof company is £3,500?  that doesn't sound a lot.  where is the work identified?  in just one room?

JAG

If it is an old house you may want to have a look at this website.
https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

greatcrested

So a salesman from a damp-proofing company took a look, sucked in his teeth, and surprise surprise concluded that if you paid his company £3,500 (on which he's get his 5% commssion) they could 'fix' the problem.

Where is the damp?

How was it identified?

What is causing it?

stuart45

Also do you know the build date roughly?

NameUnavailable

If it's an older property the signs of damp are just the start. Rip up the flooring and you may well find you need to replace joists and floorboards. The quote you had will be for modern materials when you actually need lime plaster. You can pretty much double that quote for plastering alone, because when they try to strip 1m off the rest will come with it!

Beware!

CinderKona

Thanks for answering.
it was originally identified by an independent survey (level 2) I then it’s advice got 2 independent surveys from damp proof companies. This is not my area of expertise so if they tell me independently there is an insect infestations and rising damp and it will cost >3000 then I am not sure what I can do to resolve or fix it other employ them.  It seems to in many rooms and I’m not sure where it originates. 

I’d have to live there, and at the moment work there, so might be too disruptive.
its a pre 1930s terrace.

Doozergirl

NameUnavailable said:

If it's an older property the signs of damp are just the start. Rip up the flooring and you may well find you need to replace joists and floorboards. The quote you had will be for modern materials when you actually need lime plaster. You can pretty much double that quote for plastering alone, because when they try to strip 1m off the rest will come with it!

Beware!

Solving a damp issue doesn't mean touching/changing the plaster most of the time.      The simple solution is often to find the root cause, stop it and let the wall dry out.  We don't actually know that it's damp at the moment, we only have the unqualified opinion of someone that sells half a room of rendering.  

NameUnavailable

Doozergirl said:

NameUnavailable said:

If it's an older property the signs of damp are just the start. Rip up the flooring and you may well find you need to replace joists and floorboards. The quote you had will be for modern materials when you actually need lime plaster. You can pretty much double that quote for plastering alone, because when they try to strip 1m off the rest will come with it!

Beware!

Solving a damp issue doesn't mean touching/changing the plaster most of the time.      The simple solution is often to find the root cause, stop it and let the wall dry out.  We don't actually know that it's damp at the moment, we only have the unqualified opinion of someone that sells half a room of rendering.  

If the plasterwork has become damp then it probably will need replastering. If you start taking plaster off old walls you often end up doing the lot. Best to work on a 'worst case scenario' basis financially as opposed to running out of money half way through a job.