DIYbanter - View Single Post - Victorian house purchase

wrote:
Just wondered what the views are of those who have been through this
before. I am in the latter stages of buying a 4 bed Victorian detached
which has been extended. The structural survey has come back showing
rising damp in the lower walls of 2 downstairs reception rooms. I am a
novice when it comes to 100+ year old properties.

The Victorian part of the house has no damp proof course from what we
can make out. Is this a concern and should I get one put in?

I'll be surprised if there is no DPC. Perhaps it's
buried. Normally, you'll get a "thick layer" of mortar
between courses of bricks, containing slates which make
up the impermeable bit. Dig down near the wall somewhere
and see what you find.

I have a damp proof surveyor coming to look at the property on Wed -
though I know he'll say various pieces of work need doing.

Death, taxes, damp-proof surveyors...

Some advice I have read says that Victorian properties are damp period
and you should be wary of going over the top and doing unnecessary
work....

They do not have to be damp, although some have damp
problems. Do not go OTT until you really know what
you've got and what the issues are. Leave everything
until you've thought about it, pref. sevearl times.