We've had an issue with our Kitchen electrics being damaged by damp. Had a socket replaced and another blew up as it was being done. Not good. We had Kenwood take a look but want to get a second opinion/quote to try and identify the root problem before we have to rip the kitchen out and rewire.
I'm guessing it might be due to another patio being laid on top of the old one outside or the wrong kind of render being used externally that's causing water to penetrate.
Can anyone recommend anyone they've used locally to do a survey that they thought gave an honest report.
many thanks!
Local Damp Survey Company
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WeatherGirl
- Posts: 34
- Joined: 31 Mar 2012 13:19
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monkeyarms
- Posts: 301
- Joined: 28 Jul 2015 14:54
- Location: Tredown
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
There was a recent thread on here asking the same question:
https://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13683
Also, this thread/noticeboard has a few damp proofing recommendations within it:
http://brockleycentral.blogspot.co.uk/2 ... eople.html
One thing I would say is: be very wary of any damp proofing company that does not remedy the actual root cause of the damp. If the patio is indeed too high, then find a solution to that, don't just accept some patented goo being injected into your wall.
https://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13683
Also, this thread/noticeboard has a few damp proofing recommendations within it:
http://brockleycentral.blogspot.co.uk/2 ... eople.html
One thing I would say is: be very wary of any damp proofing company that does not remedy the actual root cause of the damp. If the patio is indeed too high, then find a solution to that, don't just accept some patented goo being injected into your wall.
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
Yes that's exactly what I'm interested in, if you dont fix the cause then it will just re-occur.
Has anyone used an independent damp surveyor? I get the cynical feeling its all in their interests to tell you there's lots of work that needs doing.
Reading threads like this about Kenwood made me pause for thought
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... ?t=3367340
Has anyone used an independent damp surveyor? I get the cynical feeling its all in their interests to tell you there's lots of work that needs doing.
Reading threads like this about Kenwood made me pause for thought
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... ?t=3367340
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monkeyarms
- Posts: 301
- Joined: 28 Jul 2015 14:54
- Location: Tredown
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
Yes, I used an independant damp surveyor once. Academy Remedial. They charged £250. (That's the only annoying thing about an Independant: you get charged quite a bit for the survey and of course it's not a quote for the work that needs doing...) The particular surveyor was called Joe Wilson. If you send me a PM with your email address, I'll happily email you the report, so you can see for yourself the sort of thing they do.
Basically it was a big Victorian house that had an extremely damp cellar, awful-looking damp patches in one area of the kitchen, and various patches in the top corners by windows on the upper floors.
His report was very reassuring in many ways – the main thing was recommending installing airbricks in various places at ground-floor level. In other words, there was no mention of any of the standard damp-course treatment (membranes, injections etc etc). This was all work for a reliable builder, as far as the surveyor was concerned.
If you know a wise, experienced builder, that might be your best best: in my limited experience, they spot similar things to an Independent Damp Specialist. Especially if you are reasonably sure it's the level of the patio that's the problem. That way, you're effectively getting a free "survey", as it's a quote/pricing for the builder's work...
Basically it was a big Victorian house that had an extremely damp cellar, awful-looking damp patches in one area of the kitchen, and various patches in the top corners by windows on the upper floors.
His report was very reassuring in many ways – the main thing was recommending installing airbricks in various places at ground-floor level. In other words, there was no mention of any of the standard damp-course treatment (membranes, injections etc etc). This was all work for a reliable builder, as far as the surveyor was concerned.
If you know a wise, experienced builder, that might be your best best: in my limited experience, they spot similar things to an Independent Damp Specialist. Especially if you are reasonably sure it's the level of the patio that's the problem. That way, you're effectively getting a free "survey", as it's a quote/pricing for the builder's work...
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
Yes, I have.
Heritage House - they are brilliant but the survey is incredibly expensive. I could only afford it because hopefully my insurance company will pay for it as the damp was caused by their remedial works...
Basically rising damp doesn't exist - those people who sell injectables are just scam merchants. http://www.heritage-house.org
Heritage House - they are brilliant but the survey is incredibly expensive. I could only afford it because hopefully my insurance company will pay for it as the damp was caused by their remedial works...
Basically rising damp doesn't exist - those people who sell injectables are just scam merchants. http://www.heritage-house.org
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
Hi all,
This thread has been really useful as we're in a similar situation.
We're in the process of purchasing a flat and our surveyor identified a damp problem in the bathroom and bedroom. Our Estate Agents then instructed a damp and timber company based in Kent (I think) to carry out a D&T survey. They identified the problem as 'rising damp due to the absence or breakdown of existing damp proof course' or potentially due to a raised ground level and quoted almost £4,000 for a damp injection course and replastering. I wouldn't be surprised if the £4,000 included a commission for the EA.
Having read around (including here) it seems like this is the standard quote that's wheeled out time and time again and though the work may remove the defective walls, it seems unlikely to address the actual root cause of the problem. Unless of course it is the case that the ground has been raised since the existing damp proof course was put in.
Our first survey also mentioned condensation in the bedroom and a lack of sufficient ventilation due to the bricked up fireplace which has been removed, covered over and blocked up but no provision made to ventilate the redundant flues internally.
I just wondered if anyone had a similar experience and had work carried out that addressed such issues. No one really seems certain of the actual root cause and we're keen not to spend a fortune on unnecessary work.
Thanks in advance for your help.
This thread has been really useful as we're in a similar situation.
We're in the process of purchasing a flat and our surveyor identified a damp problem in the bathroom and bedroom. Our Estate Agents then instructed a damp and timber company based in Kent (I think) to carry out a D&T survey. They identified the problem as 'rising damp due to the absence or breakdown of existing damp proof course' or potentially due to a raised ground level and quoted almost £4,000 for a damp injection course and replastering. I wouldn't be surprised if the £4,000 included a commission for the EA.
Having read around (including here) it seems like this is the standard quote that's wheeled out time and time again and though the work may remove the defective walls, it seems unlikely to address the actual root cause of the problem. Unless of course it is the case that the ground has been raised since the existing damp proof course was put in.
Our first survey also mentioned condensation in the bedroom and a lack of sufficient ventilation due to the bricked up fireplace which has been removed, covered over and blocked up but no provision made to ventilate the redundant flues internally.
I just wondered if anyone had a similar experience and had work carried out that addressed such issues. No one really seems certain of the actual root cause and we're keen not to spend a fortune on unnecessary work.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
Interesting topic. I had a kenwood survey a few years ago for a cellar, remedial quote made my hair turn grey! Having left the cellar for a few years I thought I would try again this week. Having read this thread I called the guy at Assured Preservations. Really helpful and talked to me about damp cellars in general and not to waste my money if I had no interest in using the space. A damp cellar does not cause other damp issues if there is a good damp course etc which I have. I did use Kenwood in passed to fix a damp bathroom but only to fit a new fan. The damp I had in first floor bedroom was caused by old flat roof issue, new roof and insurance job for internal works. I would def recommend speaking to Assured.
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
From experience only, I'd agree that if the bedroom fireplace has been closed off it should definitely have an airbrick or vent (preferably at floor level). Air is sucked upwards by chimneys, a physics thing, so will keep chimney dry. Might need a chimney cap on the roof outlet too if chimney doesn't have one, though more to stop birds falling in rather than to prevent rainwater ingress. Other causes of condensation in bedrooms can be wardrobes standing against outside walls, and of course "airtight" double glazed windows - the sort without vents that some people keep tightly closed despite how much moisture we breathe out or perspire out at night.
There could be one or several causes occurring simultaneously in a house I reckon (I stress from experience only). How you whittle any causes down and remedy them probably depends on who you believe the most after listening very very carefully.
There could be one or several causes occurring simultaneously in a house I reckon (I stress from experience only). How you whittle any causes down and remedy them probably depends on who you believe the most after listening very very carefully.
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
Thanks mosy. Think we're going to look at opening up the fireplaces which will hopefully help solve the ventilation issue. I'd say you're right though, it seems like there may be multiple issues occurring simultaneously.
Re: Local Damp Survey Company
You might have condensation problems too. We have that in our basement flat. We called a company called Envirovent who did a survey, gave us loads of information and then after a survey fitted two of their heat-exchanging fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Not cheap but if its left it only gets worse. Take a look at their website www.envirovent.com and see if you think you have that problem.