Forum Topic

Independent damp surveyor - help pls!

I am sure many of you identify with our issue....We have various very bad damp patches in our Edwardian terrace ground floor flat that we are unable to find the source for. We think it is from penetrating moisture, but builder says its rising damp. I am not convinced about rising damp and if it even exists based on various comments on this forum. https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/the-fraud-of-rising-damp.html.There is also a 'dutch' damp proof system (that we did not install) that I am highly skeptical about and they even charge to come back to check the issues.  I am also not sure about the 'free quotes' from damp proof companies as I think they are biased to their own business. Our tenants say they are careful about ventilation and not creating condensation. However, the damp patches are real. So I am considering getting in an independent surveyor. I have been recommended Paul at https://www.westtwelvesurveying.co.uk/. Has anyone any experience with them or others recommendations or advice in general?many thanks

E Palfreyman ● 2112d9 Comments

I know it's not answering your question, but if you are the leaseholder of this flat, it's usually up to the building's freeholder to deal with structural issues like this.  A surveyor will at least settle if it's water penetration from outside or condensation from inside.

Peter Evans ● 2112d

We were recommended to use Advanced Preservations Ltd, tel 01252 333310 email info@advancedpreservations.co.ukAlthough they are now based in Hampshire, they have experience in the Chiswick area, and we found them very thorough.

Derek Chambers ● 2111d

Assuming the damp is on an outside wall and not a party one it maybe something as simple as the outside ground level is higher than the damp proof course.Earth  would then need to be removed to bring the level down.Paving the same and or you are getting splash back off paving that is too near the wall.Worth checking if you have not done so already.

Adrian Irving ● 2111d

Years ago we had rising damp on an internal wall.  A surveyor spotted that it was coming from a leaking lead mains water pipe under our hall.  It was also leaking into our cellar.  We replaced all the lead pipes and problem solved.  So, I suggest getting a surveyor to have a look in the first instance, as it might be quite a simple cause.

Lucy Chambers ● 2111d

Lucy could well be right but I'd check-out what Adrian says – he knows lots about property.Edwardian houses are well built but prone to rising damp problems.  They weren't so good at damp courses in the early 1900's.  They used slate which can slowly shatter over the years.Even more likely is what Adrian pointed out.  That (again over the years) the garden/path land that comes up adjacent to the house has progressively been layered over until such time as it has “bridged” the damp course.If that's the problem then the cure is to dig it out and reduce the height from outside.Then from the inside - strip off all the plaster back to the brick up to about one metre – then render in concrete with a modern water resistant additive.  Standard job for a decent builder.Most Edwardian houses in W4 have done all this sometime after the 1970's.Like they also say above, you need a surveyor to pinpoint the problem.

Stuart Kerr ● 2111d

I can recommend https://www.dampdetectives.co.uk/.  We used them last year and they were really good.  They provided a thorough report and , because they are not selling any damp solutions, have no interest in pushing towards particular solutions.

Tanya Baker ● 2110d

All thank you ! great advice and we will have a proper investigation based on this.

E Palfreyman ● 2105d

Check neighbours have not left water running, had damp cellar and my neighbours gardener had left her garden hose running for months she was elderly and had no idea until the water board contacted her about her excessive use of water.

Janice Evans ● 2105d

Last year, Mark Kenward of Osbourn White Ltd (01233 661 998) wrote me an amazing report into a serious damp (penetrating and rising) issue I had at my property. He is exceptionally well qualified and although based in Kent, he made the journey to West London. I'm glad he did. I highly recommend him.

John Roberts ● 2105d