Does anyone know what this means,in relation to dampness?

[Bubbaloo]

We're due to exchange contracts very shortly and have recieved the Homebuyers report back today which has lots of defects etc but one which I don't really understand.
In relation to damp it states the adjoining apron levels to the external walls are close to the level of the damp proof course which can allow rain water to splash above it.
It then says Lichen growth was noted,but I have no idea what this is/means,if anyone knows please.

Thanks.

Have they told you to check it out? Could just mean damp proof course is being breached (is that the term?) - we had this. Damp-proofing isn't that expensive.

I'm not sure about the lichen growth, but I think they're being a little over cautious on the DPC front. If the exterior levels were above the DPC that might be cause for concern (or not). But splashing?

It further confirms my view that surveyors exist solely to provide lots of unnecessary work for damp proofing specialists.

I think it means that the ground level is too high up in relation to your damp proof course. If it were lower then rainwater wouldn't splash above it. I suppose the lichen growth could signify existing dampness.
Mind you, my house is 400 years old and doesn't have a damp proof course, and more defects than I could shake a stick at. Surveyors report stated that it needed £60,000 spending on it - still bought it though. And no, we didn't spend anything like that on it.

Yes, splashing it pathetic [wishes she'd trained to be a surveyor]

What sort of floor surface is there by where the problem is?

If it is soil you can just move some away

If it is concrete it is more difficult

The best thing you can do re damp is to keep your house well ventilated and leave air gaps behind furniture. Damp proof courses might work in a new house, but in an older house an inserted damp proof course is rarely very effective. In our old house, all that happened is that the DPC and the damp-proof render simply drove the damp further up the wall. Unless the damp is so bad it's a health threat then I'd advise you to just live with it.

Thanks very much.

It does clearly state that there is no evidence of damp in the house but the Lichen growth worried me a bit.I tried Googling it and confused myself even more.They haven't told me to get it checked,so I'm s
guessing it's just on there to cover their backs.
Wish I never had a survey done now as it's shown up about 25 things which need attention.

Twinkle - we have done just that! We live with the damp, and it hasn't made any difference to the house or us. We bought a damp meter when we bought the house - bad move! Everything was damp: floors, walls, ceilings, chimney breasts, stairs, EVERYTHING. Threw the bloody thing away. We couldn't damp proof the house anyway, it's built of stone rubble and you can't do those.

Bubbaloo, we were advised by surveyor to demolish one side of the house because of the bulge in the wall. Well, it's still the same another 10 years on, and I reckon it will probably see me out. Found the surveyors report not long ago, and we had hysterics looking at it! OMG if we had done everything he had "advised" then it would have been cheaper to knock the house down and rebuild it.

Lichen only tends to grow well where there's clean air - focus on that instead!

Thanks-it all sounds very reassuring.