Non of this is new...damp fraud is normal practice in the UK. It’s like asking an umbrella salesman if it's going to rain! I can diagnose that property without even visiting it. Its simply been covered in impervious materials and can't then deal with the humidity created within. Far too many people don't have have enough knowledge of how an old property should function and end up getting the wrong people in.
Thank you for your insightful comment. You're right that misdiagnosis of damp issues isn't new, and it's a persistent problem in the UK property market. Your analogy about the umbrella salesman is quite apt! You've touched on several important points: The prevalence of "damp fraud" or misdiagnosis in the UK The common issue of impervious materials trapping humidity in old properties The lack of understanding about how older buildings should function These are all crucial aspects of the problem. However, I'd like to add some nuance to the discussion: While experienced professionals can often make educated guesses about a property's condition, it's important to conduct thorough, on-site inspections to provide accurate diagnoses. Each property can have unique factors affecting its moisture levels. In this case, the buyer's damp survey was conducted by a plasterer. While plasterers are skilled professionals in their field, they may not have the specialised knowledge required to differentiate between various types of damp accurately. This highlights the importance of consulting experts with specific training in building pathology and damp diagnosis. It's difficult to describe it as fraud when all the plasterer is doing is trying to sell a product. In my opinion, RICS, the PCA, and the government should improve the scientific research, training, regulation and proper auditing of damp surveyors. The plasterer's damp survey lacked crucial evidence to support a rising damp diagnosis. For instance, there was no reference to geological surveys that would have indicated the presence (or absence) of groundwater - the source of water in rising damp. It's understandable that the property buyer was concerned by the plasterer's damp survey. Most people aren't experts in building physics and rely on professional advice. This underscores the need for responsible, well-informed professionals in the industry. The key takeaway is the importance of education - for homeowners, buyers, and even some trades professionals - about the complexities of moisture management in buildings, especially older ones. It's crucial to seek opinions from qualified experienced experts who can provide evidence-based diagnoses and solutions. Thank you for contributing to this important conversation. It's through discussions like these that we can raise awareness and hopefully improve practices in the industry.
@@dampsurveys769 I was merely being tongue in cheek with my comment regarding diagnosis without visiting. You are totally correct in stating that a good diagnosis being served by a competent person and many homeowners are like an open book in the hands of some more unscrupulous people. I've been in this industry for 18 years and have come across many badly diagnosed damp issues and unfortunately many people who have been charged the best part of a fair bit for unnecessary works. I've noted similar damp issues abroad to here in the UK . The symptoms can be very similar, dew point, over reliance of impervious materials but the difference is mainly due to over scaremongering, sales figures, banks demanding action or unscrupulous individuals or companies. The levels of money spent here in comparison in resolving some basic physics is quite astounding. My years of experience has taught me to know that when it comes to a period property, the majority of damp is actually caused by plasterers, builder's and architect's. From this point during the renovation process the problems start to progress and the homeowners call in the "so called" damp expert who will typically suggest one type of diagnosis and treatment. So, in effect the real problem never actually gets resolved and the merry go around continues. Its without doubt an area that needs regulation and control and one such measure, I my opinion, is to only allow plasterers with at least a level 3 NVQ to be allowed to work on period properties and listed buildings. The builders should also have some firm of heritage accreditation. Obviously non of this would however control the humidity created inside be individuals but with the correct or mediating materials on the walls and balanced heating, ventilation and extraction,go along way in replacing the merry go around with some sustainable grounding.
Non of this is new...damp fraud is normal practice in the UK. It’s like asking an umbrella salesman if it's going to rain!
I can diagnose that property without even visiting it. Its simply been covered in impervious materials and can't then deal with the humidity created within. Far too many people don't have have enough knowledge of how an old property should function and end up getting the wrong people in.
Thank you for your insightful comment. You're right that misdiagnosis of damp issues isn't new, and it's a persistent problem in the UK property market. Your analogy about the umbrella salesman is quite apt!
You've touched on several important points:
The prevalence of "damp fraud" or misdiagnosis in the UK
The common issue of impervious materials trapping humidity in old properties
The lack of understanding about how older buildings should function
These are all crucial aspects of the problem. However, I'd like to add some nuance to the discussion:
While experienced professionals can often make educated guesses about a property's condition, it's important to conduct thorough, on-site inspections to provide accurate diagnoses. Each property can have unique factors affecting its moisture levels.
In this case, the buyer's damp survey was conducted by a plasterer. While plasterers are skilled professionals in their field, they may not have the specialised knowledge required to differentiate between various types of damp accurately. This highlights the importance of consulting experts with specific training in building pathology and damp diagnosis.
It's difficult to describe it as fraud when all the plasterer is doing is trying to sell a product. In my opinion, RICS, the PCA, and the government should improve the scientific research, training, regulation and proper auditing of damp surveyors.
The plasterer's damp survey lacked crucial evidence to support a rising damp diagnosis. For instance, there was no reference to geological surveys that would have indicated the presence (or absence) of groundwater - the source of water in rising damp.
It's understandable that the property buyer was concerned by the plasterer's damp survey. Most people aren't experts in building physics and rely on professional advice. This underscores the need for responsible, well-informed professionals in the industry.
The key takeaway is the importance of education - for homeowners, buyers, and even some trades professionals - about the complexities of moisture management in buildings, especially older ones. It's crucial to seek opinions from qualified experienced experts who can provide evidence-based diagnoses and solutions.
Thank you for contributing to this important conversation. It's through discussions like these that we can raise awareness and hopefully improve practices in the industry.
@@dampsurveys769 I was merely being tongue in cheek with my comment regarding diagnosis without visiting. You are totally correct in stating that a good diagnosis being served by a competent person and many homeowners are like an open book in the hands of some more unscrupulous people. I've been in this industry for 18 years and have come across many badly diagnosed damp issues and unfortunately many people who have been charged the best part of a fair bit for unnecessary works. I've noted similar damp issues abroad to here in the UK . The symptoms can be very similar, dew point, over reliance of impervious materials but the difference is mainly due to over scaremongering, sales figures, banks demanding action or unscrupulous individuals or companies. The levels of money spent here in comparison in resolving some basic physics is quite astounding. My years of experience has taught me to know that when it comes to a period property, the majority of damp is actually caused by plasterers, builder's and architect's. From this point during the renovation process the problems start to progress and the homeowners call in the "so called" damp expert who will typically suggest one type of diagnosis and treatment. So, in effect the real problem never actually gets resolved and the merry go around continues. Its without doubt an area that needs regulation and control and one such measure, I my opinion, is to only allow plasterers with at least a level 3 NVQ to be allowed to work on period properties and listed buildings. The builders should also have some firm of heritage accreditation. Obviously non of this would however control the humidity created inside be individuals but with the correct or mediating materials on the walls and balanced heating, ventilation and extraction,go along way in replacing the merry go around with some sustainable grounding.