Rising damp...or not?

[Mr Pig]

We got a report on the house that we're in just now which said that we needed a new damp proof course, a concrete solum and all the joists and floors replaced down stairs! We've been in the house ten years and haven't done any of it!

I've replaced the floorboards in two of the the rooms because the floors were uneven and we still have a damp issue in one room but the scale of the problem was grossly exaggerated. Like I say, often these things can be sorted out DIY but you really need to take your time and figure out exactly where the problem is coming from.

Just last night I was lecturing my son on never, ever taking at face value advice from people who have a monetary interest in the decisions you make,

 

[db1]

I am not sure what current opinion is but about 30 years ago a lot of work was done on rising damp by the Building Research Station in Garston Watford. The result was mostly that a lot of what is described as rising damp was due to leaks, penetration etc, and not rising damp at all which is fairly rare; that there was no scientific reason why electro-osmosis should work, and no demonstration was found that it had worked, any results were because other work had been done (for example replastering and clearing earth which had bridged the damp-proof course.

 

[Archie_tect]

I am not sure what current opinion is but about 30 years ago a lot of work was done on rising damp by the Building Research Station in Garston Watford. The result was mostly that a lot of what is described as rising damp was due to leaks, penetration etc, and not rising damp at all which is fairly rare; that there was no scientific reason why electro-osmosis should work, and no demonstration was found that it had worked, any results were because other work had been done (for example replastering and clearing earth which had bridged the damp-proof course.

Exactly db1... a lot of [common]sense. Which is why people are best advised to wait 6 months, ventilate and monitor before pressing ahead with expensive and often unnecessary work.

 

[punkypossum]

Yeah, this is pretty much what I've been reading, there have been some more recent studies as well apparently. Seems like the rising damp label gets slapped on pretty much anything. I will have a closer look at the written report, which I should have in a couple of days and see if that gives any more info, but at the moment I'm inclined to go with your advice and wait and see for a bit. Will have another look at the offending wall again as well when I'm next round at the house...

Think I panicked a bit when I first got the results thinking the house was going to crumble over my head within weeks, but looking into it a bit more it appears that is fairly unlikely to happen...

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

I am not sure what current opinion is but about 30 years ago a lot of work was done on rising damp by the Building Research Station in Garston Watford. The result was mostly that a lot of what is described as rising damp was due to leaks, penetration etc, and not rising damp at all which is fairly rare; that there was no scientific reason why electro-osmosis should work, and no demonstration was found that it had worked, any results were because other work had been done (for example replastering and clearing earth which had bridged the damp-proof course.

what a load of tosh!! i've bought a lot of wrecked houses and refurbed them, they always always had rising damp. it was easy to see when the plaster was removed. i've installed hundreds of e-o dpc's and it always worked. i've repaired loads of busted o-e dpc's where the wire has been damaged or the tranny has gone down. the damp always comes back, that's how the owners know it's stopped working.

 

[XmisterIS]

I had to get the roof of my place treated for woodworm when I bought my house.

It cost £2000, which seemed more than a little steep, but it also came with a 25 year guarantee (if my roof collapses due to woodworm, then Rentokill pay for it).

Anyway, I just asked the seller for £2000 off the house price, explained why, and they were happy to do that. Problem solved!

 

[yello]

what a load of tosh!!.

I wondered if this might happen! The 'rising damp' argument is, in some circles, akin to the helmet debate for cyclists!

 

[punkypossum]

Well, the written report has just appeared through my letter box and it's rather vague, but basically says readings were taken with a protimeter and by visual observation. It states signs of rising damp were found to some walls of the lounge and dining room (which I suspect means kitchen, as there is no dining room, but I'm unsure if that is only the lounge wall backing onto the kitchen wall or any other walls as well).

The estimate then states £995 for remove plaster, inject damp proof and replaster with waterproof additive and finish, plus refix skirting boards (provided the old ones are usable, otherwise this will be an extra cost)

Plus £40 to remove and dispose of debris from the site
Plus £75 to remove and refit 2 radiators using corgi plumber (which makes me think it's the wall backing onto the kitchen as that is where the radiators are, but it's a bit vague...)

All those prices are quoted as estimates, how far would they be allowed to stray from that if I decided to go for it? I'm going to get some more quotes I think....still tempted to wait and see, but on the other hand, if it needs doing I would rather get the mess out of the way before I've move in, especially as it says you can't do any permanent decorating for 12 months afterwards while it dries out...

They also state if you want a reinspection after 12 months, that would be chargeable...

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

you need to have them verify what exactly is being done. how many walls. you need a fixed price (in writing) of the various option. i.e., if this needs doing it will cost this, if that needs doing it will cost that etc etc. estimates are no good for something so simple. be aware of the guarantee as most are not worth the paper they are written on. most are generic from the chemical supply company. ring a company called wykamol in rossendale or burnley and ask them for 3 of their local registered dpc installers. wykamol only sell to people they have trained themselves. hth

 

[HelenD123]

I was given a drawing with my written quote showing exactly which walls they were referring to.

 

[cisamcgu]

I just had a internal kitchen wall damp-proofed against damp - it cost £260 including the replastering and replacing the radiator. The chap said there was no real problem with the damp, just that mold would continue to appear and paint would turn brown - no serious damage would occur if we left it. We decided to get it fixed since there was the characteristic smell in the house.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

a drawing is a bloody good idea. stops any confusion.

 

[sheddy]

The problem will vanish as soon as the leak has been seen to. The wall will dry out in time. Give it a while.
Any fule can use a dampmeter to indicate what they wish for.