dustie wrote:
Hi there

I bought my house in October 1998 and it came with a 20 Year damp-course
guarantee (the work was performed in 1992) . This was failing and this
problem was noticed on the survey and it recommended I pursue the matter.
Well, I was lot younger, very naive and didn't worry about it too much.
About a year after moving in, it became obvious that the fresh paint job
that was done before the house went on the market was done purely to cover
up the problem that was manifesting. Unfortunately, some bad personal stuff
happened to me around the same time and I entered a very long depression
which lasted years and, to be honest, I couldn't summon up the energy to
pursue the matter and I stupidly let it slide. Of course, I've now been here
over seven years and ALL the lower ground walls are a complete mess and they
need sorting.

I made a tentative stab to sort it out a few years ago and spoke to the
providers of the certificate (the company who provided the chemicals) and
they passed me onto the people who'd actually installed the damp-proofing
course.. I got nowhere because I didn't have the "plans" of the work that
had been done and they said they couldn't help. I've now recently located
the plans with the deeds of the house and you can see that some walls had
work done but others didn't.. Either way, ALL the lower grounds walls are a
real state now with the worst having salt growing off them...

So.... What should I do about this? I feel pretty stupid though that I've
left this too long and the treatment comapny (who are still in business) are
going to tell me to take a running jump and that the damage is too severe
now..!

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated. This matter has given me a lot
of sleepless nights recently...

cheers

Daz

Well, I can bring you some good news. First the facts, which may come
as a surprise to you. It almost certainly isnt rising damp. The dpc
injection almost certainly made no difference, other than to a few
wallets. Its almost certainly a complete waste of time chasing the damp
company. And the good news? That most of these cases are solved by
learning how damp works and taking relatively simple remedial actions,
with no need to pay anyone for anything.

Some basic info would help. How old is the property? is any of the
outdoor soil level at or above the indoor floor level? Are the walls
externally cement rendered, painted, or treated with specialist
coatings? Is the building well heated, is it draughtproofed?


NT