Any one experienced with RICS Level 2 Survey - Damp

fine27

Hi All
I need some advise please, House was built around 1930s, all rooms are find and no damp except for under stair cupboard which extends to the end of the wall. around 4m long altogether, 
Start of this wall, there is no damp/ damp meter shows single digit reading however under stair case is a bare brick wall which has been painted over bricks. There is no plaster.
Bottom three bricks give reading of around 25%, and then from 4th brick, there is no reading at all. 0% There is no mould. I'm thinking of selling the property and I wanted to fix any major issues before it goes on the market to avoid further negotiation/break down of sale.

There is also a part of around 1m of this wall which isn't painted and this gives similar high reading. Its not a "habitable" area as such as the rooms, living room etc are fine.



Any advise please? My understanding is that the bare wall with no plaster will always give higher reading so it will likely be marked as amber on RICS Survey?

vic_sf49

I thought those damp probes, were only accurate for testing wood? Although more experienced people may be along soon to comment. 

So it's visibly damp, or just with the probe?

 If it's not visibly damp, with giant stains on the wall, and doesn't have mould, then I'd say the wall covereing/paint is the reason.

Or does it feel damp to the touch, because it's an unheated space, and possibly a bit of condensation on the wall?  

fine27

it is a damp probe... I'm pretty sure that even the Rics Surveyor use a probe meter too..? but you are right... its not as accurate. just worries me as the readings are very off compared to the rest of the house

Its not visibly damp, only with the probe. there are no stains, no mould. reading on both painted and not painted brick is very similar.

It is unheated space, no condensation. property has been empty for about 2 months now 

youth_leader

Is this on an outside wall?  Have you checked the downpipe/gutter ground level isn't higher than the damp proof course?  As for condensation, I have had many problems here in this 1930's bungalow with a sub floor void.  The water table is very high here as I found out to my cost.