NPR

Right, seeing as I'm using this forum as my de facto DIY and houekeeping advisory service, I'll ask this

During conveyancing we noted appearances of rising damp in the house we were buying, and had a quote given for treating the back utility in the extension - the dampness was confirmed by high moisture readings and some creepy crawlies scuttling around carpet. This wasn't dealt with at time as we didn't want to further delay house move in covid and was factored into our offer. I'm now looking at it again now we're in, and the company the solicitor got to quote is well respected and available to do the job. I need to get this going soon, as we're getting other work done which relies on this being sorted.

Is a quote of just over £2k plus vat decent for sorting the damp course and replastering/making good? They're using a plastic high pressure spray and specific plaster for the job. I've done some googling and getting all sorts of weird estiamted figures between a few hundred and 4k, so it's not much use. I've rung a few other specialists and none can offer any help for a while.

All advice gratefully received

Poor HappyHooker bait.

Slick wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:02 pm Poor HappyHooker bait.

There were certain respondents I had in mind!

I've simply no idea what this should cost even in ballpark terms, most other things I've had a baseline idea.

Where do i send my invoice??

Rising damp is a difficult one to cost. The main thing I'd recommend is already covered - get a respected and established company to do the work, there are a load of companies that pop up then disappear in this field.

I can't remember where you're based, but, depending on the area affected, £2.4k would seem to be in the right ball park. The procedures you've listed do seem to be appropriate, but it's hard to tell without seeing it.

Although i notice you said it's in a rear utility room. Is it definitely rising damp and not a leaking appliance?

I've seen someone spend £10k plus on getting this sorted when in reality, the plumbing from the sink/washing machine was leaking under the floor, which i fixed in under a day

Happyhooker wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:19 pm Although i notice you said it's in a rear utility room. Is it definitely rising damp and not a leaking appliance?

I've seen someone spend £10k plus on getting this sorted when in reality, the plumbing from the sink/washing machine was leaking under the floor, which i fixed in under a day

BEST THREAD EVA!

Happyhooker wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:19 pm Although i notice you said it's in a rear utility room. Is it definitely rising damp and not a leaking appliance?

I've seen someone spend £10k plus on getting this sorted when in reality, the plumbing from the sink/washing machine was leaking under the floor, which i fixed in under a day

Ta mate, good to get some reassurance that we're not a million miles out.

The appliances are all new, as is boiler, although there is quite a bit of the plumbing running there as the kitchen used to be in the other room in the extension and I couldn't say if there are any leaking pipes - although the boiler does lose pressure quite quickly in the central heating, which I'd chalked up to age and gradual seepage? There's also the hot water tank immediately next to the room in question, but that is also new and no evidence of leaks.

I'm not sure how they deduced risking damp, they took quite a few moisture readings and it's definitely damp so something amiss, not sure if they check e.g. salt as well? We also noted a lot of woodlice, which is both quite unpleasant and also makes me worry something is being damaged, I'll be interested (and possibly a bit pained) to see what is uncovered when they start. They've said they'd need to scrub and use specific plaster, so advised us not to redecorate for a while. It's a utility so couldn't care less!

Slick wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:22 pm

Happyhooker wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:19 pm Although i notice you said it's in a rear utility room. Is it definitely rising damp and not a leaking appliance?

I've seen someone spend £10k plus on getting this sorted when in reality, the plumbing from the sink/washing machine was leaking under the floor, which i fixed in under a day

BEST THREAD EVA!

It's either this or snark about Lions selections.

inactionman wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:32 pm

Slick wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:22 pm

Happyhooker wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:19 pm Although i notice you said it's in a rear utility room. Is it definitely rising damp and not a leaking appliance?

I've seen someone spend £10k plus on getting this sorted when in reality, the plumbing from the sink/washing machine was leaking under the floor, which i fixed in under a day

BEST THREAD EVA!

It's either this or snark about Lions selections.

No, I'm genuinely excited to find out if it's just a leak after all!

Slick wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:55 pm

inactionman wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:32 pm

Slick wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:22 pm

BEST THREAD EVA!

It's either this or snark about Lions selections.

No, I'm genuinely excited to find out if it's just a leak after all!

I'll think about livestreaming it

inactionman wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:31 pm

Happyhooker wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:19 pm Although i notice you said it's in a rear utility room. Is it definitely rising damp and not a leaking appliance?

I've seen someone spend £10k plus on getting this sorted when in reality, the plumbing from the sink/washing machine was leaking under the floor, which i fixed in under a day

Ta mate, good to get some reassurance that we're not a million miles out.

The appliances are all new, as is boiler, although there is quite a bit of the plumbing running there as the kitchen used to be in the other room in the extension and I couldn't say if there are any leaking pipes - although the boiler does lose pressure quite quickly in the central heating, which I'd chalked up to age and gradual seepage? There's also the hot water tank immediately next to the room in question, but that is also new and no evidence of leaks.

I'm not sure how they deduced risking damp, they took quite a few moisture readings and it's definitely damp so something amiss, not sure if they check e.g. salt as well? We also noted a lot of woodlice, which is both quite unpleasant and also makes me worry something is being damaged, I'll be interested (and possibly a bit pained) to see what is uncovered when they start. They've said they'd need to scrub and use specific plaster, so advised us not to redecorate for a while. It's a utility so couldn't care less!

If your boiler is new and you're losing pressire quickly on the central heating either a) one or more of the bleed valves is not tightened up b) the pressure cylinder in your boiler is malfunctioning or c) there's a leak.

It might well not be, but it's very common for people to see damp, call a rising damp guy in who, of course, confirms it, just to find that it was another problem. As it's the most expensive to fix, i just recommend checking all the other possibilities first.

I have no idea how they actually diagnose rising damp. Probably with a forked hazel twig

Happyhooker wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:05 pm

inactionman wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:31 pm

Happyhooker wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:19 pm Although i notice you said it's in a rear utility room. Is it definitely rising damp and not a leaking appliance?

I've seen someone spend £10k plus on getting this sorted when in reality, the plumbing from the sink/washing machine was leaking under the floor, which i fixed in under a day

Ta mate, good to get some reassurance that we're not a million miles out.

The appliances are all new, as is boiler, although there is quite a bit of the plumbing running there as the kitchen used to be in the other room in the extension and I couldn't say if there are any leaking pipes - although the boiler does lose pressure quite quickly in the central heating, which I'd chalked up to age and gradual seepage? There's also the hot water tank immediately next to the room in question, but that is also new and no evidence of leaks.

I'm not sure how they deduced risking damp, they took quite a few moisture readings and it's definitely damp so something amiss, not sure if they check e.g. salt as well? We also noted a lot of woodlice, which is both quite unpleasant and also makes me worry something is being damaged, I'll be interested (and possibly a bit pained) to see what is uncovered when they start. They've said they'd need to scrub and use specific plaster, so advised us not to redecorate for a while. It's a utility so couldn't care less!

If your boiler is new and you're losing pressire quickly on the central heating either a) one or more of the bleed valves is not tightened up b) the pressure cylinder in your boiler is malfunctioning or c) there's a leak.

It might well not be, but it's very common for people to see damp, call a rising damp guy in who, of course, confirms it, just to find that it was another problem. As it's the most expensive to fix, i just recommend checking all the other possibilities first.

I have no idea how they actually diagnose rising damp. Probably with a forked hazel twig

I'll try to get the central heating checked, the boiler itself is pretty much new (I'd put at maybe 2 years old) but the central heating circuits themselves are getting a bit dated. The boiler takes a week or so to drop to a significant degree.

I'll see if I can figure how to test the pipes in that area, it's under built-in cupboards which make sit more of a pain than it might have been.

inactionman wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:01 pm

Slick wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:55 pm

inactionman wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 2:32 pm

It's either this or snark about Lions selections.

No, I'm genuinely excited to find out if it's just a leak after all!

I'll think about livestreaming it

It's be better viewing than the 2nd test

Defo rule out leaks before spending on damp proofing.

The usual leak on appliances are cross threaded connectors, so I’d defo check on that as that was 9 times out of ten the cause when I investigated utility room damp.

If it’s on the boiler there is a very old school method of seeing if there’s a hidden leak.

You do it by

1 recording how much pressure you lose when the heating’s on for a day

2 then recording how much pressure you lose when the boiler is switched off for the day.

If you lose more pressure when the boiler is off, then there’s a decent chance you have a leaking joint, as cold pipes contract slightly, and open up any joint leaks

People don’t tend to invest the time in that method anymore, as they just toddle off to screw fix and buy some sealant and save themselves 2 days. https://www.screwfix.com/p/sentinel-int ... lsrc=aw.ds

You got any salt marking (efflorescence) ?

This just gets better

Indeed. I’m quite excited to hear what the outcome is.

My money is on the waste pipe fed by the washing machine outlet leaking into the subfloor. That or an underground spring.

Sandstorm wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:14 pm My money is on the waste pipe fed by the washing machine outlet leaking into the subfloor. That or an underground spring.

Can rule out the waste pipe with one question - does the area wreak?

Very few things more stinky than weeks old washing machine waste.

Underground spring would be epic! Open a gin distillery. You’ll pay off the damp treatment by selling booze. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Ymx wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:05 pm Indeed. I’m quite excited to hear what the outcome is.

With a fair wind we might get the boiler test results today. Fingers crossed

If you can all hold on to your hats, we've booked a gasman to service the central heating boiler on Friday, and he'll take a quick squizz to see if there might be a leak somewhere.

I specifically booked the appointment to avoid clashing with the Bledisloe, I'd hate for people to have to choose.

inactionman wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:34 am If you can all hold on to your hats, we've booked a gasman to service the central heating boiler on Friday, and he'll take a quick squizz to see if there might be a leak somewhere.

I specifically booked the appointment to avoid clashing with the Bledisloe, I'd hate for people to have to choose.

Polish plumbers don’t watch Rugby

inactionman wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:34 am If you can all hold on to your hats, we've booked a gasman to service the central heating boiler on Friday, and he'll take a quick squizz to see if there might be a leak somewhere.

I specifically booked the appointment to avoid clashing with the Bledisloe, I'd hate for people to have to choose.

probably won't have time to watch a livestream, but a video of the results being announced would be great

Slick wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 6:32 am

Ymx wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:05 pm Indeed. I’m quite excited to hear what the outcome is.

With a fair wind we might get the boiler test results today. Fingers crossed

I love threads like this , they take on a life of their own!!

A bit late on this but if you have efflorescence (crystaline salts) you will have to remove the exising plaster and re-plaster.

There are treatments which you'll find online, but they are not as effective a a strip down and re-do.

Plastering is the only job I'd hand out to a pro. I'm hopeless. Carpentry, electrics, brickwork I can do.

Random1 wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:33 pm

Sandstorm wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:14 pm My money is on the waste pipe fed by the washing machine outlet leaking into the subfloor. That or an underground spring.

Can rule out the waste pipe with one question - does the area wreak?

Very few things more stinky than weeks old washing machine waste.

Underground spring would be epic! Open a gin distillery. You’ll pay off the damp treatment by selling booze. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Well, it's causing havoc if it is that

Reek

Globus wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:34 am A bit late on this but if you have efflorescence (crystaline salts) you will have to remove the exising plaster and re-plaster.

There are treatments which you'll find online, but they are not as effective a a strip down and re-do.

Plastering is the only job I'd hand out to a pro. I'm hopeless. Carpentry, electrics, brickwork I can do.

What are you like with asbestos?

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 12:34 pm

Globus wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:34 am A bit late on this but if you have efflorescence (crystaline salts) you will have to remove the exising plaster and re-plaster.

There are treatments which you'll find online, but they are not as effective a a strip down and re-do.

Plastering is the only job I'd hand out to a pro. I'm hopeless. Carpentry, electrics, brickwork I can do.

What are you like with asbestos?

Plumber on time today?

Give him half a chance

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 12:34 pm

Globus wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:34 am A bit late on this but if you have efflorescence (crystaline salts) you will have to remove the exising plaster and re-plaster.

There are treatments which you'll find online, but they are not as effective a a strip down and re-do.

Plastering is the only job I'd hand out to a pro. I'm hopeless. Carpentry, electrics, brickwork I can do.

What are you like with asbestos?

Leave it to the experts.

Happyhooker wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 12:10 pm

Random1 wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:33 pm

Sandstorm wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:14 pm My money is on the waste pipe fed by the washing machine outlet leaking into the subfloor. That or an underground spring.

Can rule out the waste pipe with one question - does the area wreak?

Very few things more stinky than weeks old washing machine waste.

Underground spring would be epic! Open a gin distillery. You’ll pay off the damp treatment by selling booze. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Well, it's causing havoc if it is that

Reek

Collared! Must admit that was proper ignorance on my part!

Globus wrote: Fri Aug 13, 2021 1:40 pm

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 12:34 pm

Globus wrote: Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:34 am A bit late on this but if you have efflorescence (crystaline salts) you will have to remove the exising plaster and re-plaster.

There are treatments which you'll find online, but they are not as effective a a strip down and re-do.

Plastering is the only job I'd hand out to a pro. I'm hopeless. Carpentry, electrics, brickwork I can do.

What are you like with asbestos?

Leave it to the experts.

Got rid of the scuba gear then

It’s now Sunday, and we haven’t had a bloody update from Friday.

WTF !!!

Ymx wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 12:51 pm It’s now Sunday, and we haven’t had a bloody update from Friday.

WTF !!!

Whole house has dropped into a sinkhole. Tragedy.

Sandstorm wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 12:53 pm

Ymx wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 12:51 pm It’s now Sunday, and we haven’t had a bloody update from Friday.

WTF !!!

Whole house has dropped into a sinkhole. Tragedy.

That better be the case…

Ymx wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 12:51 pm It’s now Sunday, and we haven’t had a bloody update from Friday.

WTF !!!

Office hours only.

(The gasman isn't sure)