I was recently asked to survey a property that had dampness issues internally.
I was informed that a ‘damp specialist’ had already visited the property, and had diagnosed rising damp issues and recommended a chemical damp proof course. This was carried out around 3 months prior to my survey.
The property is a 1970’s 2 bedroom ground floor flat, this being cavity construction along with a physical damp proof course installed from new.
Any survey starts with the basics like the reported history, the tenant/homeowner that lives in the property can give you so much info that can help with the diagostics especially if it’s only a snap shot survey.
There is often lots of controversy regarding damp meters, these are an excellent tool when used appropriately-there often not though. The pattern of readings I found on the wall when profiling from floor to ceiling didn’t replicate any form of a rising damp profile.
Observations
I noted visible dampness when a bed was pulled out from the wall, mould was noted on the bed, small amounts of condensation on the windows. A very small amount of condensation at the base of the bedroom external walls, mostly behind furniture.
When carrying out surveys I find my Flir T600 gives a great understanding of the building fabric, especially during snap shot surveys. I use this meter linked to a Flir MR77, to produce an isotherm. An isotherm is basically a blue colour on the screen that shows everything at dew point (condensation occurring). What I can also do is change the temperature up or down to find at risk areas, and check these areas with moisture meters etc for patterns of dampness.
Below shows a visual of the dampness to the wall, possibly a tide mark from rising damp or something else.
The below shows mould growth on the wall, mould will not occur on the wall if there has been a long term rising dampness problem with subsequent salts.
The below shows the paper was easily peeled back with no damage. Sample pots along with a slow speed drill are being used to collect plaster samples to see if there is any free moisture in the wall (behind the surface-about 20mm in). I follow the methodology in BRE Digest 245 for quantitative results.
This is as simple as it gets, and for some reason lots of surveyors never carry out this very basic procedure. We know there is dampness to the surface of the wall, possibly condensation, now after I have drilled out a small sample, I then check the wall with an insulated deep wall probe-this shows if the dampness is at the surface or in the wall is dry. We now know that in the wall is dry, and the surface is damp, we can now carry out profiling up the wall every just to see if there is a pattern to the dampness issue or another possible issue.
Dry.
Dry.
You can see the holes where I have taken the samples
Holes filled no visible damage from my destructive survey, the paper was put back into place – happy days.
Externally I noted the walls have had retro-fit cavity wall insulation, the visible chemical damp proof course drilled, and some blocked drains.
Click the link to the below video to see what I could see during my inspection.
One thing that concerned me the most was that the damp proofing technician actually drilled the damp proof course through the physical damp proof course!!! Not only that the pointing looked like he applied neat cement with the palm of his hand to cover the injection hole…….not even the slightest attempt to blend in with the original mortar, like he wanted everybody to see his first class bodge up!
Blocked cavity.
Chemical damp proof course drilled through physical damp proof course.
The chemical damp proof course from another angle.
No comment!
This issue was a condensation problem, nothing to do with rising damp, and the damp proof course that was drilled into the outer skin only was a complete waste of time.
I know I take longer to do my surveys than some of the other local damp specialists, but I think I offer value for money 🙂
Welcome to Complete Preservations blog 
Would you visit my nans house please? She has had builders and damp experts try to fix her house for the last 10 years. Walls are damp and plaster is falling off the walls, she is also ill from the damp. We have 2 damp guarantees, but the damp experts don’t want to come back to fix it. I would like to meet you at her house, and see a proper investigation please. I have been recommended you by a chartered surveyor, who told me your the only company that investigates damp issues properly, and take the proper samples.
Thanks
Hi Shane, more than happy to visit the property and find out the cause for your nan. I would need to speak with you first to discuss all the issues, and then I can explain what survey you will need. Give the office a ring on 01225 769215, if I’m not about I will ring you soon after.
Ross
Thanks for the sharing such a informative post, dampness issue mostly problem with leakage pipes, gutters, and leakage of roofs. For survey should to only contact recognized dam proofing specialist. they will exactly tells time and estimate.
I’ve sent this to my housing association as we’ve had lots of damp proofing carried out and the walls are still damp. The mould isn’t as bad at the moment, cuz it’s hot. Ive had issues for over 10 years now and fed up with it.
Can I pay you for a survey if they don’t directly instruct, I will then try and get the money back
Hi Jane,
Contact the office on 01225 769215 and we can go through the issues and a type of survey required.
Wish I got a survey from you, before we paid for the shambles of damp proofing we had carried out last year. We’re now in a position with no money to carry out any repairs, and a continual damp issue. I hope it would be ok to pay you for a survey and get some costs of repairs, so we know what we have to save. Anybody that reads this please remember the review sites will not let you leave a negative review. Also out of the three damp surveyors we had check our property, none of them carried out a survey like I have seen on this website case studies.
Sorry to hear this!
More than happy to help with this for you. The problem with the review sites is they get paid by the client, the assessors for the review sites don’t understand what qualifications are needed, and what should be carried out in a survey. Most damp proofers on the sites also offer tiling, fencing, and drives etc!!! If anybody follows BS 5250, BS 6576, or BRE Digest 245 it states that to confirm/prove rising damp you need to use the gravimetric process (this gives more detail)……. there are no local firms that offer this service, this makes any sensible person question the diagnosis and the repair specified!
A well known ventilation company installed new extraction fans and positive venting fans in my mums property. She still has problems, could it be like this with sand in the cavity?
I need you to carry out a damp survey next week if possible in Chippenham. I have had a couple of free surveys that state different things, and reading this I now now both of these are nonsense as they haven’t checked to see the actual cause. The Estate Agent who sold us the house recommended one firm; he was only there 10 minutes. How do I book in with you?
Hi Sue, it is common for them to be there for 10 minutes and provide a pretend report for a new damp proof course without really providing evidence of the cause. Some Estate Agents just want a cheap job done to flog the house, please read this linkhttps://blog.completepreservation.co.uk/2018/06/26/rising-damp-prove-it/
Send me an email on enquiries@completepreservation.co.uk with your details and i’ll ring you and discuss
WOW
We spent nearly 15k with a well known Wiltshire damp proofing company recommended by the estate agent we purchased the property from. They have been back 3 times now painting this salt paint and tried charging us for them to install a dehumidifier.
We don’t know what to do. Is there any chance you could carry out a thorough survey please?
Hi Wayne, Yes I can.send me an email with your details please enquiries@completepreservation.co.uk
Hi
I’m based in southwest London and wanting to know exactly what we need as we are getting lots of condensation under the bay window upstairs in the bedroom internally and also downstairs under the bay window, do you do surveys in London? Thankyou
Hi Paul, I don’t cover London but I can do online consultations. you can email me an email enquiries@completepreservation.co.uk if this of interest.