Help for a novice with house problems

[Stressedoutinmyhouse]

I am fairly confident with cosmetic DIY and decorating but am a first time home owner and there are a few problems with my house but I don't know where to start and what tradesmen to speak to.

1. Loose brickwork on external wall. Do I just need to speak to a standard builder to address this?

1. Suspected rising damp, possibly due to lack of damp proof course in poorly constructed extension (built prior to my ownership). Do I get a damp proof course specialist in or speak to builder first?

1. Possible rotting floorboards in bathroom due to lack of seal around bath over a period of time. Who do I need to speak to so they can inspect and replace the floorboards?

1. In the living room the chimney breast doesn't look right. On one side of the fireplace the wall looks wonky. Who do I need to get to take a look at this to see if it's structurally sound?

If you can help with any of the above it would be appreciated. I don't have much money so want to make sure I do what's necessary without getting fleeced.

Are these problems that have been identified on a survey as part of a recent house purchase, or things that you have just become aware of over time but not gotten around to fixing. If they have been found as part of a survey, your surveyor should be able to provide independent advise on each. My $0.02 worth:

1. Loose brickwork on external wall. Do I just need to speak to a standard builder to address this?

Would be worth trying to understand why the brickwork is loose. Is it just a case of mortar having failed / weathered, or has it been caused by historic or recent movement? In either case, a good general builder will likely be able to advise.

2. Suspected rising damp, possibly due to lack of damp proof course in poorly constructed extension (built prior to my ownership). Do I get a damp proof course specialist in or speak to builder first?

What makes you think you have rising damp and what makes you think there is no damp proof course? I would speak to a trusted builder in the first instance as a chemical DPC is unlikely to be the correct solution. Are there any obvious causes for the damp; ground levels too high, water splashing back on the wall from something, leaking guttering or drainage? Have a look at the wall from the outside during the rain - see if you can see any culprits.

3. Possible rotting floorboards in bathroom due to lack of seal around bath over a period of time. Who do I need to speak to so they can inspect and replace the floorboards?

What makes you think it's the bath seal that's caused this? If it is - you can take up the floorboards yourself and assess the damage. Are the joists dry and solid, or is the rot pervasive. If it's just the floorboards which are damaged, it's a DIY repair. If the joists have gone rotten, speak to your friendly builder.

4. In the living room the chimney breast doesn't look right. On one side of the fireplace the wall looks wonky. Who do I need to get to take a look at this to see if it's structurally sound?

Is this an old house? Is the wonkiness alarming or just slightly out of true. Any cracking to the plasterwork? Old houses are 'square'

Thanks parkview.

They are mostly problems I've become aware of.

The loose bricks - it looks like the mortar has failed although there are some cracks in the plaster internally which don't look recent ie they've been painted over before my time and no further movement.

I think rising damp because there's some discolouration and bubbling to wallpaper as well as a musty smell in the extension.

It looks like the floorboards in the bathroom have been badly replaced previously (with ply) which has now warped. I haven't investigated fully but I know some water is leaking through as the bath side isn't properly sealed.

The house is probably 70 years old. The chimney breast has been papered and then painted over so no visible cracks but I am pretty sure there is a problem with the brickwork underneath.

I would speak to a builder about all of it. Sounds like a few simple fixes may sort most of it. Your house may need repointing - that's where the mortar goes and you get water ingress.

With any damp, have a look when it's raining and check there isn't an obvious cause, e.g. guttering that has failed.