cost of damp house fixing

[agw_01]

I'd recommend watching a couple of videos from this channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC55-NfrPh-SAT3wgwUFtruw

Very interesting as far as damp is concerned and may give you an idea as to any possible causes.

 

[HangTime]

I think it cost about £1500 when I had a DPC put in kitchen and living room in 2006 (~1900 terrace), so your quote doesn't look too unreasonable.

 

[hornetstinger]

This true?

https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

 

[topgun06]

This true?

https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

A lot of truth in it. The guy has a YouTube channel as linked to by @agw_01:

I'd recommend watching a couple of videos from this channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC55-NfrPh-SAT3wgwUFtruw

Very interesting as far as damp is concerned and may give you an idea as to any possible causes.

As suggested here, watch some of his videos. Very informative.

 

[Foghorn Leghorn]

This true?

https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

Very much so, spent the last twenty years living in a house built in 1860. Lots of damp problems initially but was fortunate to learn how to deal with it from some one who knew what he was doing, not a damp proof company who wanted to drill holes in the walls and pump chemicals in.

 

[fastwunz]

Cavity...?....?

Solid walls and external ground levels too high get my vote.

 

[DarrenM343]

Very much so, spent the last twenty years living in a house built in 1860. Lots of damp problems initially but was fortunate to learn how to deal with it from some one who knew what he was doing, not a damp proof company who wanted to drill holes in the walls and pump chemicals in.

Yeah, old buildings are different. Sticking prongs in walls is not reliable in the case of old buildings but that's what all the modern surveyors want to do.
A few of the walls were off the scales when a survey was done for a remortgage on a flat I own but when we had the building inspected by someone who specialises in old buildings they found nothing much wrong, stating the walls tend to breath more, absorbing and releasing moisture. I've installed a ventillation system into the flat I own in the building which is helping with the condensation related issues. It's a converted Chapel, built around 1825, never of course built to be lived in either.
Don't think I'd buy such an old property again - been a bit of a pita especially as a BTL after I moved out of it myself (tenants having condensation related issues)

 

[rexehuk]

I'd recommend watching a couple of videos from this channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC55-NfrPh-SAT3wgwUFtruw

Very interesting as far as damp is concerned and may give you an idea as to any possible causes.

Beat me to it.

Damp meters are a scam, he's in the game himself and shows how blatant it is.

 

[£15]

Get another opinion from a proper specialist that doesn't do any repairs. A lot of issues can be fixed, or reduced to manageable levels (there will always be moisture in a house), by repairing gutters, clearing vents, removing soil against walls, fixing leaks and opening windows, etc.

Funnily enough, a company that makes money from doing all the things you've listed will say all the things you've listed will need doing!

A buyers' survey on our last house picked up damp 'issues'. We got a specialist in who quickly dismissed all of them and the reduction in price they were asking for too!

We're a family of five and always have washing on the go. We manage it by opening windows and using a couple of dehumidifiers.

 

[DXP55]

This true?

https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

Years ago when we bought our house in the sticks we used to buy a magazine called "Old house journal" and in there was a article as described in that link about water not rising more than a brick or so - They built pillars in a galvanised tub and left them for weeks and as he said water does not rise by a meter. - In my mind damp has a reason that at times can easily be fixed.

We had new neighbours and one day he came round and asked if we or the previous owner of his house ever had water in the lounge - Never - so he dug out the lounge floor and put membrane down and concrete- Turned out as he was going to do the place up and he for some reason took down the gutter on front door porch - That led to water slashing off tarmac up the side of wall - normally it wouldn't have been a problem but our house had a Pitch damp course and it was a solid 11" wall up to damp course - So water soaked in bricks - ran down to damp course and ran in rather than out - As far as I can remember we never suffered from damp - probably all drafts blowing through sash windows.

We had damp in one of the bedrooms where we are now but that was down to a totally blocked soak away in that corner. - I have renewed all pipes and dug new soak aways.

 

[Mr.Shabz]

Cavity...?....?

Solid walls and external ground levels too high get my vote.

This was the issue with my 1930 Semi, dodgy driveway built above original damp course.

 

[fastwunz]

This was the issue with my 1930 Semi, dodgy driveway built above original damp course.

Yes and its truly terrifying how many thousands of people have this done every year.

Decking is another culprit, or nice shiny new pathways to your brand new gazeebo etc...........

 

[hornetstinger]

What should I use for loft timbers , cresote will stink out the house, I have water based fence treatment which has no smell.

 

[Boycey0211]

This thread has been golden advice, thanks.

Bought a 1900 house with damp downstairs, not horrific but enough to to want fixing.

Sure enough all the issues are around areas that have been damp proofed like that article suggests.

Going to look for a specialist in old buildings to come have a look