FTB + Damp in 1930s house

bbbuyer

We viewed a house we liked but it has damp and we are wondering if it’s worth pursuing further in terms of offering plus survey or just run away.

It’s an end of terrace 2 floor from 1930.

We saw a bit of wallpaper peeling and plaster bubbling in an internal wall (close to ceiling) of a ground floor room. Vendor said it was from external wall. Opposite the internal wall with the damp symptoms is the side end of terrace.

See picture.

We enquired with the vendor and they mention there was some work done about 5 years ago which involved removing existing render then re render, plinth on side. Expansion joint on side was also mentioned that it was added. Wasn’t able to get information on the new render material but mentioned scratch coat with waterproof fibres.

We are FTBs going from flats to houses so I am not sure if we are being scared or just being unexperienced here. We know we are not buying a ready home (i.e. we are looking at houses with wallpapers, bathrooms/kitchens needing updating, old carpets and won’t mind living with work going on for a while).

Have also concerns that this could have affect joists since it’s so close to the ceiling but that is just guessing.

Does anyone have any thoughts/ prior experience.

Thank you

chanz4

1930 is going to have damp, its not a new house

Jemma01

If you like the house and really want it, you can pay someone to further investigate the issue and give you a quote for addressing the issue. Then you can negotiate the price or get the vendor to address it.

Thing with older houses they tend to be more spacious and room sizes are more comfortable. But it comes at a cost.

bbbuyer

We are aware of just wondering how much damp is normal. Esp in end of terrace with single brick. We have viewed other houses from same time that did not have such visible issues

tooldle

bbbuyer said:

We are aware of just wondering how much damp is normal. Esp in end of terrace with single brick. We have viewed other houses from same time that did not have such visible issues

Is it a solid wall rather than single brick? 

propertyrental

photo of the exterior?

No 1930s houses need not have damp but do need more maintenance.

bbbuyer

tooldle said:

bbbuyer said:

We are aware of just wondering how much damp is normal. Esp in end of terrace with single brick. We have viewed other houses from same time that did not have such visible issues

Is it a solid wall rather than single brick? 

Sorry yes solid wall (no cavity)

RHemmings

I panicked when I first got into my house. It was damp, and smelled funny. I went straight and bought a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier keeps the whole house nicely dry. No condensation on walls or windows. No signs of damp at all. I don't know if it's the house, the changing seasons, or both but I need to empty out the dehumidifier less and less. After two weeks last time and I think it's going to be longer this time. 

Back on topic - this experience has made me less fearful of damp. As it seems that using a dehumidifier can put a patch on the problem. And then you can investigate and remove causes at your leisure. 

At least: that's my experience. 

bbbuyer

propertyrental said:

photo of the exterior?

No 1930s houses need not have damp but do need more maintenance.

Only have Google street view photo

dannim12345

Unusual to have damp at height (which isn’t condensation) imo and I would say there will be a cause and it probably is fixable but it depends if you want to go down that road. Hopefully a surveyor would be able to tell you. The render could be blown?  Is that chimney near by and leaking?  Is the guttering overflowing? There is no overhang on the roof gable, could water be running down the wall?  A leaking pipe? 

Potential / probably the work they had done has not resolved the problem. 

FreeBear

Cement render on a solid brick wall is not good. Cracks in it will let water in, and the cement will trap that moisture in the wall. The easiest escape route is to through the inside. Whilst it can be fixed, to do it properly is going to be expensive. If you call in one of these PCA accredited "experts", they'll probably tell you it is rising damp and recommend membranes and waterproof render/plaster - It will hide the problem for a few years, but won't fix the root cause.

If you want an honest opinion, I'd suggest looking at other properties that haven't been messed with so badly.