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I live in a converted Victorian property. The flat below me on the ground floor is in the process of being sold and the buyer’s surveyors have detected dampness on the rear wall of the flat. As we share the running of the property – we own the freehold of the building – we are required by the buyer’s solicitors to obtain a dampness survey of our own and then take steps to provide rectification.
What is unusual about this is that a dpc was provided to this wall during the early eighties during the conversion work and the capsules can still be seen in the brickwork. Our records show that this was provided with a 30 year guarantee but further investigation reveals the company involved has long since folded. I am no expert in matters relating to damp etc but having made a few observations on both the inner and outside walls with the current owners and we can find no evidence of damp ie mould, smell or any discolouration on the plaster inside. Presumably the buyer’s surveyor used a dampmeter which has indicated an unacceptable level of moisture in the wall. But are these devices reliable? In anycase are there any steps we are able to take in order to avoid expensive remedial work?
One thing I have noticed however is that the current owner’s do have window boxes on the two window ledges and these tend to get watered rather enthusiastically. I would have thought that the effect of this would only be similar to heavy rainfall but is this likely to cause any damage in the long run? Any advice appreciated.
What is unusual about this is that a dpc was provided to this wall during the early eighties during the conversion work and the capsules can still be seen in the brickwork. Our records show that this was provided with a 30 year guarantee but further investigation reveals the company involved has long since folded. I am no expert in matters relating to damp etc but having made a few observations on both the inner and outside walls with the current owners and we can find no evidence of damp ie mould, smell or any discolouration on the plaster inside. Presumably the buyer’s surveyor used a dampmeter which has indicated an unacceptable level of moisture in the wall. But are these devices reliable? In anycase are there any steps we are able to take in order to avoid expensive remedial work?
One thing I have noticed however is that the current owner’s do have window boxes on the two window ledges and these tend to get watered rather enthusiastically. I would have thought that the effect of this would only be similar to heavy rainfall but is this likely to cause any damage in the long run? Any advice appreciated.
