We are in the process of buying a terrace (2nd from end) 1920's house in Whitstable, Kent. We had a full homebuyers survey, which found a problem with rising damp. The damp patches are situated mainly in the back dining room on the rear wall at ground level, on the chimneybreast and on a solid dividing wall with the lounge!! In places the plaster is crumbling and there is evidence of white crystals (look like salts). The bottom 2 feet of the wall dividing this room with the lounge have been re-plastered and had new skirting fitted. The new plastered area is ok but just above it the plaster is crumbling and damp patches exist.
We are currently enquiring with the agent if any damp remediation (injection or new dpc) has taken place and will be enquiring with the neighbours if they have any problems with damp! The house also has a few damp patches in the lounge neighbouring wall and kitchen solid dividing wall with the dining room. Concrete floors exist throughout the ground floor (which seem OK). The rear wall is of a cavity type and has recently had new air bricks installed!! The rear patio is only one brick below dpc and has very little fall away from the house!! The chimney openings in the lounge, dining and rear bedroom have been boarded up and have plastic vents on them. All the rooms have vinyl looking wallpaper apart from the rear dining room (the main problem room).
We had a damp proof company come in for opinion and price. He says its rising damp with evidence of salts (proof of rising damp). He quoted £9000 excluding VAT to tank the whole of the downstairs with John Newton NEWLATH 2000, which is a breathable membrane. The walls would then be dry-lined, plaster boarded and plastered throughout.
I was expecting some kind of rising damp solution in the problem areas NOT tanking throughout the whole downstairs. Needless to say he won't be getting the job and I have decided to tackle the problem myself.
I want treat the dividing wall to either a solid dpc or injection dpc. Also, I want to check the rear cavity wall for bridging and if necessary rake out the cavity, lower the ground level at the rear to 2 bricks below dpc and provide a gravel border between house and patio. I want to open up the fireplaces and install a wood burner in the back room and strip all the wallpaper and paint walls with a breathable paint.
Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
We are currently enquiring with the agent if any damp remediation (injection or new dpc) has taken place and will be enquiring with the neighbours if they have any problems with damp! The house also has a few damp patches in the lounge neighbouring wall and kitchen solid dividing wall with the dining room. Concrete floors exist throughout the ground floor (which seem OK). The rear wall is of a cavity type and has recently had new air bricks installed!! The rear patio is only one brick below dpc and has very little fall away from the house!! The chimney openings in the lounge, dining and rear bedroom have been boarded up and have plastic vents on them. All the rooms have vinyl looking wallpaper apart from the rear dining room (the main problem room).
We had a damp proof company come in for opinion and price. He says its rising damp with evidence of salts (proof of rising damp). He quoted £9000 excluding VAT to tank the whole of the downstairs with John Newton NEWLATH 2000, which is a breathable membrane. The walls would then be dry-lined, plaster boarded and plastered throughout.
I was expecting some kind of rising damp solution in the problem areas NOT tanking throughout the whole downstairs. Needless to say he won't be getting the job and I have decided to tackle the problem myself.
I want treat the dividing wall to either a solid dpc or injection dpc. Also, I want to check the rear cavity wall for bridging and if necessary rake out the cavity, lower the ground level at the rear to 2 bricks below dpc and provide a gravel border between house and patio. I want to open up the fireplaces and install a wood burner in the back room and strip all the wallpaper and paint walls with a breathable paint.
Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.