By 1875, damp proof courses became compulsory in London. A layer of slate was also used as a DPC for Later Victorian properties. This unfortunately led to walls decaying over time into the cavity which bridged the air gap. There was also an introduction of air bricks by the end of the Victorian period.
Is damp common in Victorian houses?
The problem of damp in old houses is not a new one. Designed and built using different methods to those we use now, old properties have a tendency to experience issues with damp and condensation. With over 4 million properties in the UK from the Victorian and Edwardian period alone, it is also a fairly common problem.
How do I know if my house has a damp proof course?
You can find your DPC by taking a look at the external wall. Look down at ground level and look up about 6 inches or so up the wall. Somewhere around here you will see a thin black line of either slate or plastic running horizontally across the brick work. This is your DPC.
Do all houses have a damp course?
These materials tend to be very effective, unless the building movement result in them cracking or the DPC is bridged or the older bitumen material breaks down due to old age. Damp-proof courses are required in all new build properties in order to prevent rising damp from occurring.
How do I get rid of damp in my Victorian house?
Treatments for rising damp include:
- A chemical DPC injection.
- Replacement of rotting joists or internal flooring which has come into contact with damp.
- Removing and replacing damaged interior plaster.
- Bridged DPC – requiring the removal of bridging materials or soil to enable a minimum of 150mm clearance below the DPC.
Are Victorian houses well built?
Victorian homes are always popular among house-hunters. They offer a home with period features, a good layout and are often well-built.
Should I buy an old house with damp?
It is ok to buy a house with damp. However, upon purchasing the property, you should have the damp problem checked by a qualified surveyor. The surveyor can tell you what is causing the damp problem to occur and how much it is going to cost to get it fixed.
Does a seller have to declare damp?
Damp and mould are not an issue that you can hide with paint and it is a legal requirement for sellers to disclose any such issues with the property to any potential buyers. Failing to disclose this to potential buyers can have serious legal ramifications.
Is damp course covered on house insurance?
Does home insurance cover rising damp? In most cases, it won’t. Buildings insurance policies don’t pay out for problems that are seen as the result of gradual deterioration, which is what insurers consider rising damp to be.
Will a surveyor look at damp?
As we mentioned earlier, surveyors will do a visual check for damp and will also check using a handheld moisture meter. The meter will indicate to your surveyor if the moisture in the walls is higher than it should be. The surveyor will also inspect the damp proofing and drainage of the house.
How deep are Victorian house foundations?
Typical existing foundations
Properties from the Victorian /Edwardian periods frequently only went to depths of just 450-500mm. In fact, the Victorians, famous for their solid brick walls, used to step the brickwork out by a quarter -to- half of the brick’s width over several courses.
Do I need a damp proof certificate to sell my house?
What Certificates Are Needed When Selling a House. Your solicitor will ask if you have any certificates and guarantees in place, because you will need to disclose them to the buyer’s solicitor. Damp is one the main certificates. If you’ve got a damp proof certificate, then produce that.
Can a mortgage be refused because of damp?
Serious damp issues can sometimes result in a prospective buyers mortgage being rejected. If you’re selling a house or flat requiring extensive work to fix a damp problem, it might be more cost effective to sell to a cash buyer at auction. There’s no mistaking the look and smell of damp!
Can rising damp be permanently fixed?
How do you fix rising damp? The only way to treat rising damp is to create a new damp-proofing course to prevent moisture movement through the structure. Historically, walls were cut into and masonry removed to install a new physical damp-proofing course along the masonry line.
Why are British houses so damp?
Poor insulation in Homes
Poor insulation is an issue with much of the older housing stock in Britain as they do not have sufficient insulation installed to eliminate draughts and stop damp emerging. Houses that were built before 1925 were constructed withsolid walls but unfortunately, these needed insulating.
Can you get rid of damp permanently?
It is essential that you deal with damp as quickly as possible to prevent mould from forming; mould spores can be a health hazard especially if you are asthmatic or suffer with allergies. There is no one cure for mould due to the variety and level of severity the mould is and some require professional removal.
What are walls in Victorian houses made of?
Penetrating damp
Most Victorian properties are constructed with solid masonry walls, which are often relatively soft, red or yellow London stock bricks.
Are Victorian houses solid walls?
Builders and architects started to experiment with cavity or ‘hollow walls‘ from early in the Victorian period. By the first decade of the 20th century, most pattern books for houses included examples of outer walls with two separate leaves of brickwork.
How thick are Victorian house walls?
9-inches
In contrast, Victorian brick walls were mainly solid brickwork ie, either one-brick-thick (9-inches or 225mm) or one-and-a-half-brick-thick (13 inches or 330mm). However, in some instances they could be thicker depending on the application.
What percentage of damp is acceptable in a house?
You should be aware that a moisture reading of 0-15% is quite normal and gives no cause for concern. However, moisture readings in excess of 15% indicate the need for further inspection. Levels between 25-30% indicate that there may be water ingress, meaning that remedial work could be required.
Is damp in houses common?
Whereas in newer homes, often the properties have not been left to dry and water used when building is still existent creating excess moisture in the air. Damp problems can be a serious concern in any home, whether you are a home-owner or renter, or living in any style of property.