Damp advice needed

FreeBear

Toots0293 said: It’s so tricky, as I don’t actually own the property yet and the walls are covered in wallpaper / panelling - so have no idea if there are any tell-tale signs of damp (as it just sounds like the meter readings are high which suggests damp). 

First, a couple of links to read - http://gsquaredsurveying.co.uk/damp-meters-industry-con/

https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/the-ping-prong-meter-guilty-of-fraud.html

The vast majority of damp problems in a house are down to simple problems that are easily rectified.

Elevated ground levels outside that bridge the DPC - Reduce the ground levels and optionally install a French Drain.

Leaking gutters & downpipes - Repair.

Damaged/leaking flashing & other roof defects - Again, repair.

Cracked/damaged render - Repair with appropriate materials.

Overgrown vegetation up against the house - Cut back or remove. Some plants like Ivy can cause damage to the face of the building.

All of the above are relatively low cost fixes and don't involve doing irreparable damage to the fabric of the building. Damp issues internally can often be attributed to condensation - Cold damp walls will compound any condensation issues. Once any external causes of damp have been eliminated, keeping the property warm inside and judicious use of ventilation will minimise  condensation. Internal wall insulation can make a dramatic impact in combating cold walls, but can be expensive & disruptive and there is a loss of floor space to consider.

Cures that may be suggested/recommended -

Injected DPC - The chemicals used are highly unlikely to diffuse through a brick and provide an effective DPC. You may as well drill a few holes in the wall and shove in some glue sticks for all the good it will do..

Waterproof render/plaster - That just masks the problem for a few years and doesn't fix the root cause.

rudesupermarkets

Its an interesting area this, my recent experience may be of interest  I had an independent survey and it was interesting the difference between the written report and the verbal report back. The latter involved explaining root cause and practical advice to mitigate/repair at minimal cost, much like advice in links already posted. The former outlined above threshold damp recordings (marginal) in response to which he (being obliged by professional body guidelines) recommended remedial works to include injection of damp proof course at specific locations and removal/replacement of plaster up to 1m at those locations.

So even and independent surveyor, by virtue of maintaining membership of his professional body, his obliged to record recommendations for work that would arguably be overkill.

A registered contractor involved in the work side of things is probably similarly obliged, but may spare you the good old fashioned honest, real world advice and crack on with hundreds of pounds worth of remedial work.

I should add, I was recommended a contractor for whom feedback included a tendency to advise honestly upon a site visit that no work was needed, so it's not a given that everyone will chase the money. Needless to say he was too busy to pay a visit in the requisite timescales!

uss_tish

@Toots, I found my person via personal recommendation. They are local to my area and familiar with the issues around here. My house is built on the side of a hill and with the recent  biblical rains we think water is coming down the hill and pooling under the house. The signs of damp I have are wet (to the touch) patches on internal walls just above skirting boards.

Good luck with finding someone, the links others have provided are useful resources.

Ally_E.

Look for a heritage surveyor, they will be able to help you avoid the damp course scam and give good solutions