What should I do about the damp for a first time buyer in a home

Lzb

Hi,

Looking for some advice. I'm a first time buyer, and purchasing a flat. Had a surveyor in and they informed me there was raising damp. I have spoken to the estate agent who said he'd inform the vendor and wait for a response. This was nearly a month ago.
The vendors took 5 weeks to respond to their solicitors. I dont know what to do?! I have chased the estate agent every week and I am getting no where. Any suggestions please on how to approach this? Or should I sit and wait?
Thank you. 

DiseasedBunny

What floor is the flat? Rising damp is usually a couple of feet from the ground.  (Our house has it in 1 corner but needs to stop raining so I can treat it)

more likely to be penetrating damp or even condensation 

canaldumidi

'Rising damp' is almost non-existant. How was it diagnosed?

Please quote what the survey says.

Where is it? Which floor. Which room? Where in the room? Inside or outside wall?

What is on the other side of the wall?

Does the room smell damp? Can you see the damp? Is there peeling paint or wallpaper?

Photos please.

What have you asked the seller to do or say? What reply are you waiting for or hoping for?

Lzb

Hello, below is what the survey stated - 

"Kitchen ­ Front wall rising damp is located at low level reading up to 70% moisture content 

(mc) and rises approximately 1m.

Kitchen ­ Front wall penetrating damp is located at high level reading between 18 ­ 25% 

mc.

Bedroom 1 ­ To the left corner of the front bedroom at low level rising damp reading up to 

35% mc and rises approximately 0.5m.

Stairwell ­ To the wall between the stair and storeroom rising damp reading up to 90% mc 

and rises to approximately 1m above floor level.

Damp staining is visible in all the mentioned areas. Mediation work is desirable." 

Well I informed the seller and they are looking to see if its under warranty as they renovated the flat in 2016. But this was a month ago and I'm still waiting for a response. It will be his responsibility as he is the freeholder of the property. I'm just hoping for a response that they may be able to treat it before I move in. I dont have any photos, sorry. The flat is a ground floor and basement. 

Doozergirl

Basement.  Hmm.  Probably part of your issue. 

Rising damp isn't really a thing, but penetrating damp is.  If there is earth above the damp proof course or the house is retaining earth, then you have an issue.  The simple solution is to lower the ground level around the house.    

Photos would really, really help. There must be estate agent photos even?   We can't really be guessing.  

canaldumidi

Doozergirl said:

 

Photos would really, really help. There must be estate agent photos even?   We can't really be guessing.  

Inside and out.

If you are serious about purchase, arrange another viewing and investigate yourself to answer the questions, and to take photos.

The delay is caused by the damp proof company from 2016 (assuming they are still in business) looking for exclusions they can rely on in their warranty. Possibly as a last resort sending round a surveyor (who will be very busy and not interested in your impatience!) to inspect and prepare a report showing why the warranty is not valid in this particular instance..