Dampness in a property

di5ney · 10 Aug 22, 09:14 AM

We went to view a property yday, 57 yrs old. The home reports there is higher than notmal damp readings in the lound at ground and ceiling level and the chimey breast. Is this sort of thing expensive to have repairer and what could the cause be etc?

Thanks!

Mr Tom Morrow · 10 Aug 22, 09:23 AM

How long is a piece of string sadly. It could just be a �50 job to tidy up lead flashing around the external chimney stack.
It could be �10K minimum as the footings are shot.

Unless it was a dream house in a stunning location I would walk away. Damp is a nightmare to trace and a nightmare to treat. However nail the Surveyor down to confirm percentages above normal readings and likely cause. That may give you some hope.

Sew109 · 10 Aug 22, 09:55 AM

If it only cost �10k to solve the damp in my property I would give the contractor another �10k for being so decent.

Our house was built in 1855 and has tunnels and a basement = Damp it also decides to accept damp in other odd places we are getting it all done piece by piece so far to the wrong side of �30k but this does include a new roof.

I woudl walk away from any property with Damp or potential damp issues

tspill · 10 Aug 22, 11:01 AM

It is impossible to say. It could be condensation - which increased ventilation will solve. Or rising damp (downstairs), which requires chipping plaster on the lower half of the walls, injecting a new "membrane", replastering and redecoration. Or penetrating damp coming through the walls due to wall ties that have breached with mortar or rusted, of breakdown of cavity insulation - this can be a massive issue.
Problem is that understanding the cause of damp is very difficult and many "damp" experts and companies haven't a clue.
You likely need a specialist damp surveyor to try and understand the root cause of the problem.

10 Aug 22, 09:23 AM	#2
	10 Aug 22, 09:23 AM Mr Tom Morrow Imagineer
Mr Tom Morrow Imagineer Join Date: Jul 14 Location: The Tiki Room. theDIBB Guidebook Pages Created: 3	How long is a piece of string sadly. It could just be a �50 job to tidy up lead flashing around the external chimney stack. It could be �10K minimum as the footings are shot. Unless it was a dream house in a stunning location I would walk away. Damp is a nightmare to trace and a nightmare to treat. However nail the Surveyor down to confirm percentages above normal readings and likely cause. That may give you some hope. __________________ "PAGING MR MORROW, MR TOM MORROW..." ''I drink Wine and know things'' DVC Owners at SSR since 2003. Multiple annual visits to America since 1976

10 Aug 22, 09:55 AM	#3
	10 Aug 22, 09:55 AM Sew109 Imagineer
Sew109 Imagineer Join Date: Mar 15	If it only cost �10k to solve the damp in my property I would give the contractor another �10k for being so decent. Our house was built in 1855 and has tunnels and a basement = Damp it also decides to accept damp in other odd places we are getting it all done piece by piece so far to the wrong side of �30k but this does include a new roof. I woudl walk away from any property with Damp or potential damp issues

10 Aug 22, 11:01 AM	#4
	10 Aug 22, 11:01 AM tspill Imagineer
tspill Imagineer Join Date: Feb 13	It is impossible to say. It could be condensation - which increased ventilation will solve. Or rising damp (downstairs), which requires chipping plaster on the lower half of the walls, injecting a new "membrane", replastering and redecoration. Or penetrating damp coming through the walls due to wall ties that have breached with mortar or rusted, of breakdown of cavity insulation - this can be a massive issue. Problem is that understanding the cause of damp is very difficult and many "damp" experts and companies haven't a clue. You likely need a specialist damp surveyor to try and understand the root cause of the problem.