As part of the property buying process many potential purchasers are often told that they require a damp and timber report. A damp and timber report is often the most requested report by mortgage providers, especially where older buildings are concerned and is normal part of the home buying process that should not raise cause for alarm.
One of the main reasons that mortgage providers usually ask for a damp and timber report is that a building survey has detected the presence of dampness or signs of timber decay somewhere within the property that require further examination.
Pre-Purchase Survey
The damp and timber surveys are really usual if it is suspected there are damp and timber issues in the property you buying. It takes a qualified expert to spot potential problems concerned with damp issues and timber infestation in the building. The surveyor would first check the exterior of the property then check or identify any potential defects that could lead to damp and timber decay. Issues with defects could be damaged gutters and downpipes which are signals that penetrating damp could occur.
The next step in the surveyor’s process is to check to see that the property already has an existing Damp Proof Course (DPC) and that it is fully functional. If the Damp Proof Course is functioning there could be still problems with the DPC being breached in some areas as something could be attached to the walls above the level of the damp proof course allowing for the water to continue moving upwards. It can also be down to the fact the ground level around the house has been raised from the addition of a path or driveway.
Inside the property the ground floor walls are profiled for signs of dampness. If the carpets can easily be pulled back the timbers beneath will be inspected. With permission granted by the property owner then the floor boards may also be lifted where possible to examine the sub floor void and the condition of the timbers within that area.
On the first floor of the building it will be examined for signs of fungal decay or wood-boring infestation. Again, the surveyor will look at the roof void for signs of dampness, fungal decay or beetle infestation.
Following the survey the damp and timber surveyor will then compile a full written report including where necessary a sketch plan detailing work that needs to be carried out. The cost of a damp and timber survey is dependent on a number of different variables. One of these variables is the size of the property. The severity of the issues and damage it has caused to the property should also be taken into account.
How a Damp Survey is carried out
There are many potential problems that are associated with damp and in order for it to be identified appropriately then a specialist surveyor needs to inspect the house fully. Dampness in your property could over time eventually cause structural damage as well as potentially leading to wood rotting fungi such as wet rot and dry rot. The end result is structural timber deterioration and the longer damp is left then the worse the problems of timber decay will be to the property.
Inspections are carried out to the walls around the house to check for the presence of damp ingress. Inspections are also made to check the property for high ground levels which can lead to bridging of the Damp Proof Course and other defects causing damp ingress. The ventilation in the property may also need to be checked. If there isn’t any constant air flow in the property then this could lead to potential problems of condensation occurring in the building.
How a Timber Survey is carried out
An inspection of the exterior of the property will be carried out to identify any timber decay or building defects that could potentially lead to future outbreaks of timber or fungal decay.
Investigations are also made into the presence of timber decay to the ground floor and where appropriate upper floors of the property.
At Timberwise, we recommend that if you are concerned about a property having potential timber and damp issues that you do request a damp and timber survey to get an accurate report of the issues.