Are all stone properties damp?

[Nowanextraone]

I can't really expand on the title 🙄🤣
Is damp something you have to accept?
We were buying a stone cottage and the survey showed some rooms had over 50% damp. The rot and the roof were dire. We pulled out.

We've now seen another stone property and are nervous whether to even bother

No. My mum's place is stone and very dry and warm.

No, and you did the right thing pulling out. Don't be put off buying stone.

Houses with solid walls work completely differently to modern houses with a cavity wall. Do a bit of reading up - this is a good place to start https://www.heritage-house.org The problems with solid wall houses start when modern building materials are used on them - hence why some are damp. Treated properly, they are amazing places to live.

Another useful article:

https://adaptavate.com/dealing-with-damp-in-heritage-homes/

I live in an old solid stone house and, yes, there is 'damp' but it's the result of decades of poor materials and as I slowly enable it to breathe it improves.

No. A lot of people who buy stone houses don't know how to look after them properly until they start going wrong. Using cement mortar, render that means the stone can't breathe, making them very airtight (double glazing, bunging up all draughts when airflow is needed) and not allowing them to breathe. Modern interior paints that lock moisture out of the room but inside the wall.

If you find one owned by someone who knows how to care for it, they can be fine.

Your old house UK - repair and conservation is a very good Facebook group for learning and fixing.

This is so interesting and thanks so much for the links. I will reply properly when the kids are in bed