How do you get rid of damp?

sausage butty · 12-09-2009, 20:02

Hi all I was just wondering how you get rid of damp. I am thinking of buying a house and I viewed house this morning an it had black spots on the walls does anyone know a possible cause and how I can get rid of it?

thankyou in advance

K.S.H · 12-09-2009, 20:23

100's of causes, get it checked out.
where abouts is it?

nortype · 12-09-2009, 20:34

last post said 100's reason's yes get expert advice...

K.S.H · 12-09-2009, 20:44

Just like to add that damp is serious and needs sorting out to prevent further serious damage to your property, some are easy cheap fixes some can be expensive and left to the professionals, might not even be damp, it could be a condensation problem

Retlaw · 12-09-2009, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by sausage butty

Hi all I was just wondering how you get rid of damp. I am thinking of buying a house and I viewed house this morning an it had black spots on the walls does anyone know a possible cause and how I can get rid of it?

thankyou in advance

It depends how high up the wall, rising damp usually affects the lower 2' 6" if its higher then that its condensation and bad ventilation may be a cavity wall problem if it is its dammed expensive to cure.
Some instances have been cured by new plastering and special paints, but that again is expensive.
Is it an inside wall or what, best thing is walk away.
Retlaw.

West Ender · 12-09-2009, 22:31

If I viewed a house with damp in the walls I wouldn't buy it.

cashman · 12-09-2009, 23:33

as last 2 posters have said, walk away, unless ya got money to burn, or offer a few grand less to cover it. if they won't play,you don't.

Benipete · 13-09-2009, 09:54

Is it rising or penetrating damp?Is the property built of brick or stone?How old is it?Is it detached - semi or terraced?

Lots of questions I know but the original post is very vague.

sausage butty · 13-09-2009, 19:22

Thankyou all, im not sure if its rising or penetrating damp its an end terrance built from stone . could it be caused by a leak? i noticed a hole in the loft . how much do reckon it would be to fix?roughly?i know its a bit of a daft question but maybe someone has had the same treatment done to their house.ive only noticed it upstairs near the ceiling.

K.S.H · 13-09-2009, 19:26

Be safe and get it checked properly, but seems as its upstairs and near the ceiling I would suspect a leaking roof or troughin (sp) check the pointing out too on the stone near and above the damp patch

MargaretR · 13-09-2009, 19:34

I once had such a damp patch and was advised that there was a structural fault in the chimney stack of the house next door.
Since the neighbour was not experiencing any damp they didn't repair it. I just had the patch replastered with waterproof materials and hoped.

derekgas · 13-09-2009, 21:23

Black spots are more likely condensation than damp, higher than 1 metre is definately not rising damp, if the house is unnocupied, that is possibly why there are spots, if it is occupied and the house isnt aired, this will also cause condensation, damp would usually leave a patch rather than spots. I was a Sovereign approved damp proof and dry rot specialist for 15 years, I used to carry out many refurbishments rather than just the plumbing, heatin and gas work that I do now.

keetah992000 · 14-09-2009, 19:55

if you have your hearet set on the house- ask the current owners to repair the problem and produce certificates- if you dont then when your mortgage lender values the house to lend you the money - he will see it and normally you have to get the repairs done before you get the full amount of the mortgage-

they usually hold back the amount it will cost to put it right until you have put it right.

sausage butty · 17-09-2009, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by keetah992000

if you have your hearet set on the house- ask the current owners to repair the problem and produce certificates- if you dont then when your mortgage lender values the house to lend you the money - he will see it and normally you have to get the repairs done before you get the full amount of the mortgage-

they usually hold back the amount it will cost to put it right until you have put it right.

I did consider asking the owner but the house is repossesed and owned by the lender.the house is at an extremely knock down price and i doubt they would fix it. also i wont be geeting a mortgage so that wont be a problem . thanks for the advice.

i viewed the house again and i think ive found the cause of the damp, all the gutters are broken and are overflowing, possibly leaking back into the house wall cavity. Does this sound like a possible cause???

Retlaw · 17-09-2009, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by sausage butty

I did consider asking the owner but the house is repossesed and owned by the lender.the house is at an extremely knock down price and i doubt they would fix it. also i wont be geeting a mortgage so that wont be a problem . thanks for the advice.

i viewed the house again and i think ive found the cause of the damp, all the gutters are broken and are overflowing, possibly leaking back into the house wall cavity. Does this sound like a possible cause???

The only person who could answer that would be a qualified surveyor. Then if he's wrong you have some come back.

Retlaw.