Rising Damp

[Firsttimebuyer192]

Had a level 3 survey done on Victorian mid-terrace and lounge showed high reading for damp such that the surveyor believes there is a leak.

We asked the EA to ask the vendor to have this looked at (apparently water pipes normally pass through the area in question so not unlikely to be a leak).

In response, we receive a certificate saying the property had been treated for rising damp in that area ten years ago.

Surely that either means:

1. The treatment didn't work
2. There is a leak as being treated for rising damp doesn't mean a pipe can't leak afterwards
3. something else?

Very confused so any advice appreciated.

I mean it could be loads of things - lifestyle damp (eg under heating, drying washing indoors), a leaking pipe underground, leaking guttering, water penetrating through cracked render.

If it's a leaking pipe

And the pipe was not replaced

It will still be leaking.

They probably wasted their money on something totally useless, such as magic beans or silicone injections.

If it is a leaking pipe, and it’s been leaking for years, then you may need to replace the floor joists (partial or full), floor boards, skirting, and you may as well insulate the floor while you’re at it.
This is not a difficult job, well within the capacity of a competent DIYer.

The certificate appears to be useless as there is still damp. Either negotiate a discount to cover your risk, get them to resolve it prior to continuing, or walk away.

Well, hang on. Was there any evidence of damp, aside from the meter reading? Could you smell damp or rot, were walls discoloured or salty, was there mold anywhere, or rotten wood, or pillbugs?

If not (and there was nothing to indicate that the sellers were trying to cover up a problem) then it's probably fine. Surely the current owners would have noticed a leak??

There is a LOT of misinformation about damp, to the extent that none of us can be sure what the truth is. 😅 buildingdefectanalysis.co.uk/damp/the-damp-industry-con-the-con-surrounding-the-damp-industry-con/

Show us the floor plan, with the damp area marked on it, please. Also show the position of the kitchen sink, especially if you know where it used to be when the house was built.

first time post here but could you please offer me some advice on damp in my property, 2 years ago I had my walls tanked and bricks injected this was throughout my whole down stairs kitchen passage and sitting room, 1 year later it’s all back exterior is affected way more then my interior but plaster is starting to bubble with salts and paper is peeling at the bottom again this is all the way around my house all drains flowing fine was a crack storm pipe hence the garden like a building site
thank you so much in advance

Water leaking from gulley and/or downpipe. But please start your own thread.

Oh I thought I did so sorry

There will always be issues in a Victorian house and if you sort them all new ones come. Expect to spend a couple of grand a year on maintenance.