Floor built on earth

[Nicktof]

Hi,

Currently looking into potentially purchasing this property but there is an issue with the living room. There is rising damp on the walls due to the floor being built straight onto earth.
This would need to be sorted, but how big a job would it be? Any advice on cost or how much work this would be would be much appreciated!

 

[blup]

The building regs would require the addition of significant insulation, which would be a significant part of the cost of a new floor with a damp proof membrane that laps into a new physical dpc in tne wall itself.

Is the damp is restricted to the wall or does it affect the floor also?

 

[Nicktof]

Thanks for your reply! Looking at it I would say it’s the floor too as parts of it are rotting! So I’d be looking into the thousands for all of this I’m guessing?

 

[blup]

Certainly thousands, a builder might help with a price, worth getting a survey as well ( not just the standard house buyers survey which is done principally for the lender).

 

[ree]

Nicktof, There's a number of issues that show on your photo's, and then there's the strong possibility of issues in other rooms and floors.
As suggested above, if you go for a mortgage then you should accept the mortgage survey report for what it is but after reading it you might want to get your own RICS Surveyor's report?

Sticking with the walls & floor in the photo then priced to modern standards and costs perhaps £10,000?

 

[Mottie]

If they've skimped on basics such as damp proofing, what else have they skimped on. I wouldn’t even consider buying it. Are you sure it’s not had a flood?

 

[NorthWest1]

That's parquet flooring, I have the same in my house ( recently bought ), my floor too has damp spots like yours. From what I'm told, the parquet is fixed with bitumen, which acts as a DPM......which fails over time. I'm assuming you have a conctete floor.

 

[NorthWest1]

Why can't you do what has been advised to me, lift up the parquet and install asphalt, that smooths out the floor and acts as a damp proof memebrane ? Has the floor damp, got anything to do with the wall dampness ?

 

[Deluks]

How old is the property? How do you now the floor is into earth, has the floor been lifted to check?

As suggested, knock 10-15k off and prepare for major disruption.