Damp proof course - wait until after extension?

[Yazoop]

Hello everyone,

We are moving into a 1930s 3-bed terrace. Our survey says there is some evidence of damp from a reading on the rear wall downstairs and that this might be because the rear wall damp proof course could have started to fail. It recommends getting a new damp proof course on that wall.

We are planning to do a rear kitchen extension in any case - which will probably be early next year once we get everything sorted. Can we therefore wait until we do that to replace the damp proof course? I assume you'd need to do that anyway to the new wall?

Would it be risky waiting that long? It doesn't appear to be a visible problem, although of course aware that doesn't mean there isn't a more immediate issue.

Thank you!

Maybe @PigletJohn could advise?

If you’re doing an extension anyway then the problem will be resolved at that point. Another year won’t make a huge difference assuming this isn’t a massive fault but does give you a reason to ask for a reduction.

a 1930's house probably has a slate DPC. Slate lasts at least 500 million years.

If you have a damp patch it is more likely from a leaking pipe, drain or gutter; or a building defect, for example somebody has laid paving or piled earth against the house.

Injecting chemicals into the wall will not repair any of these faults.

If you have some photos of the damp patch, and of the entire wall from ground to roof including nearby drains and pipes, I could make a guess.

Thanks all - that's very helpful.

@pigletJohn - That's interesting. As I'm not yet moved in, haven't got pics to hand right now but will take some when I'm next there (sadly the surveyors didn't include pics of that specific item on the survey). To be honest, I've not seen any evidence of any serious damp on that wall on my prior visits (doesn't mean there isn't any but it isn't a massively noticeable problem). It seems more like the surveyor flagging a higher-than-normal reading on his damp-meter and maybe covering just in case it is a bigger issue than it seems? There are some small areas of brick on that rear wall that will need repointing but not around the specific area flagged.

@Loofah01That's my hope - that it can wait given that wall won't be there that long! The place is a bit of a doer-upper, not a back to basics job but definitely needs a fair amount of work to make it what we want (but luckily has modern electrics, relatively modern central heating system and newish boiler etc), and has been priced accordingly compared to other houses on the road, so this wouldn't be something that we'd try to barter down on.