Advice on damp issue

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Permalink Reply by Charlotte A on July 27, 2016 at 13:18

I would look for an independent damp surveyor, NOT someone who also offers treatment.  We got one when we moved into our house.  It's a Victorian terrace so there are obviously damp patches.  We used www.independentspecialistsurveys.co.uk

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Permalink Reply by Brian Ahearne on July 27, 2016 at 14:57

If it looks like rising damp, please, please, please just get your drains cleared first. The rising damp treatment people have made tons of money (& screwed up people's properties) when all that was really needed was for drains to be cleared. Only after looking at drains should you approach damp proof course people.

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Permalink Reply by Sophie Smith on July 27, 2016 at 16:43

Ah, my specialist subject! I've had all sorts of tradespeople round and (funnily enough) they all said the solution was the thing they themselves specialised in. I had various costly things done and the only thing that worked was getting the whole kitchen tanked with a damp proof render - and my sodding skirting boards still fall off and the paint peels in the coldest corner. I agree with the advice to get an independent damp expert. Most plausible explanation was that the London clay just means the water rises, but it didn't help that my garden patio was built too high and we needed to put a drain away in and gravel round the house.

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Permalink Reply by Charlotte A on July 27, 2016 at 16:45

That problem is common - successive owners put in patios or decking and over time raise the level of the garden above the level of the damp proof course so water soaks into the walls. 

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