Expensive Rising Damp Quote

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by RebeccaMoll, Oct 29, 2021.

  1. RebeccaMoll

    RebeccaMoll New Member

    Hi

    We are wanting to buy a property which just came back with a level 3 for damp in the home buyers report. The property is a Victorian terrace with solid floors.

    There was minor evidence of damp when we viewed but we thought it was just condensation and ventilation issues as the property is left empty for several weeks at a time. Plus the window in the utility room has been removed and they dry clothes in there. Although there is also damp in the kitchen and dining area.

    On instruction of the surveyor we paid for a specialist damp report from a company with very good reviews. The survey came back with £20k - £23k to inject a damp proof course and take up the old quarry tiles and replace flooring. Also opening up of the chimney breast.

    They have also us to get a landscaper quote to reduce outside ground level which makes complete sense. However I cannot understand why the damp repairs quote is so expensive and whether the repairs are completely necessary.

    Do you think these costs can be justified? How easy would it be to replaster and do new flooring ourselves? And then just ensure the property is sufficiently heated and ventilated.

    Any help greatly appreciated!

    See a couple of pics below…

    upload_2021-10-29_19-40-4.jpeg upload_2021-10-29_19-39-41.jpeg
     

    Attached Files:

  2. jonathanc

    jonathanc Guest

    Knock 20 grand off your offer for the house. If they have put concrete floors in without a dpc in the walls then you are going to get damp.
     
  3. FUNDIMOLD

    FUNDIMOLD Active Member

    https://www.heritage-house.org
    Read this first and then decide!. Was the surveyor employed by the damp proof company by any chance? What was the cause of the damp intrusion? Nothing trumps ventilation so before they start injecting magic potions in to your walls I'd be looking for cause or you could end up replastering every few years (bin there, done that, still doing that to some degree:()
     
  4. RebeccaMoll

    RebeccaMoll New Member

    We’re going to negotiate on price but I am questioning whether the works are necessary anyway.

    The floors aren’t concrete. They’re originally quarry tiles which I believe have been built directly onto ash. I’m wondering what the best remedy is as I don’t think the chemical injection will solve the problem. Perhaps lower the ground outside then install a new floor with DPM and replaster the walls?
     
  5. RebeccaMoll

    RebeccaMoll New Member

    Aaah yes I have read that article before. It really does make sense and is one of the reasons I’m mega skeptical. I have just never come across it in practice and it’s difficult to find the real cause!

    Yeah that’s what I want to avoid, having to replaster. As I said in my other reply it might be high external ground levels (also currently in concrete) I’ll post a pic below. And also ventilation as the current owners live between Uk and abroad so imagine the house has been left empty for weeks at a time.

    upload_2021-10-29_20-4-5.jpeg
     
  6. jonathanc

    jonathanc Guest

    Solid walls? Looks like repointed using cement mortar? That’s not going to help
     
  7. koolpc

    koolpc Super Member

    £20k is a joke. Get a couple more firms in to survey the 'damp'...
     
  8. RebeccaMoll

    RebeccaMoll New Member

    Yes solid walls. They blocked up a door to the right of those French doors too. Aaah yes that definitely won’t help, is it very difficult to remove?
     
  9. RebeccaMoll

    RebeccaMoll New Member

    Crazy isn’t it! We have spent 1k on surveys now including the £300 damp survey. We went with the company that by far had the best reviews in the area so thought they would avoid jumping on the rising damp, chemical injection bandwagon or at the very least offer a reasonable cost.

    May just negotiate the price of the house then attempt to remedy the issue ourselves.
     
  10. Abrickie

    Abrickie Screwfix Select

    The pointing no, but the doorway is built with cement mortar :(
     
  11. RebeccaMoll

    RebeccaMoll New Member

    Yeah didn’t think of that, but perhaps if we could remove most the cement pointing and repoint with a lime based mortar it would help the problem?
     

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