DAMP PROOF COURSE???? Help please!?

Question

I have a few questions, please answer as many as you can:

1. How much should a damp proof course cost for the downstairs of a 2 bed terraced (2 rcptn rooms + kitchen), plus a chimney breast upstairs?

2. What is the BEST method? Chemical injection or DPC lining / sheet?

3. If walls are adjoining (9" brick, no cavity), can cost be shared with neighbours or will they need their side of the walls doing?

4. Do walls get replastered up to the ceiling or just to the line where it's installed?

5. Would a boiler need removing from the wall for DPC to be laid? It's within 1m from the floor.

6. Would it save money to have the floor relaid, other walls replastered and plugs sockets & radiators moving at the same time the DPC is laid?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWERS :)

Answer 1

Hello here goes
1. £50 / 65 per linear meter ,no dampproofing above 1 meter in height,probably needs re pointing of the chimney or lead work resealed

2 injection is the easiest way as you can NOT plaster on top of dpc rolls you would need to frame and re sheet

3 on a 9"wall the plaster must be removed on both sides as chemicals in the fluid will pass into neighbours house Try the roll then frame and sheet that wall

4 if the walls are in good condition plaster up to the 1 meter height you will find out what the plaster is like when you strip them back

5 dont remove the boiler if above 600mm high

6 yes you would save a lot of money doing these jobs at the 1 time especially the electric works normally you would need some repairs and the skirting radiators would also only need to be done 1

7 Good luck as its a messy job PS get a couple of quotes or use someone who can guarantee the injection work for 20 years

Answer 2

1. Dont know how much it costs but, You only need the ground floor doing if anyone says you need any upstairs rooms/walls doing then there ripping you off.

2. Chemical injection is less distructive but doesnt last as long as the sheet/roll.

3. I take it from this that you house is very old, I would have a chat with you neighbour as you should really do both sides. or stud the wall and put a cavety in instead of dpcing it.

4. Usually about half way up the wall replaster, but you can go the whole hogg for a better job.

5 you should not need to remove the boiler.

6 Depends how bad your floor is. I take it that its probably solid with a bitchumin screed over the top, you certanly wont save money doing it but if it has deterated then it will need doing.

Iam not an expert so there are probably builders out there that could give you better answers, so dont take my word as gospel.

Answer 3

I had the outside wall done (injection) in an old cottage that never had a damp proof course and it cost me around £800 but that was a long time ago, but the point I would like to make is if you house has not had a damp course a new one would not be classed as a repair and would not be liable for VAT so don't get conned on this one, also I watched the workmen putting this in , and when I needed one interior wall done I did it myself, drilled a row of holes at the foot of the wall, if the walls are stone and not brick drill into the mortar joints and use some plastic bottles with the bottom cut off and a plastic tube fitted insert, the tube into the holes keep the bottles nearly full with the damp proofing liquid you can get at the builders merchants, and leave for about a week to allow it to penetrate.
The professionals use a pump for this, but that is only for speed, I wasn't in a great deal of hurry so I could afford to wait, but the professionals can't, it worked for me up until I sold the house about 25 years later.

Answer 4

first you remove all skirting boards .throw away ..remove old plaster up to one metre high ..go outside ..make sure the ground level is at least two bricks below dpc level .and the person doing the injecting can get all round the property ..after the property has been injected ..wait a week .then replaster using LIMELITE PLASTER ONLY ..do not use any other type as LIMELITE plaster does not have any suction and therefore will not get damp again ..VERY IMPORTANT do not plaster completely down to floor ..leave at least 50mm up from floor clear ..when dry fit new skirting boards but make sure you paint the back and bottom of the skirting boards before fixing .to fix use plastic plugs and screws ..do not use steel nails unless galvanised ..you wont need to remove boiler ..but you will have to remove all radiators on the walls treated ..cost ..depend if you do any of it yourselves ..but expect between 2 to 3 grand

Answer 5

wear and tear? or the age of the property? its a bit o both i guess, most new builds have a plastic sheet between the bricks about 3 or 4 above ground level which stops any danp rising up the wall and over time this breaks down, usually over about 20/25 years after which there is the need to get a building firm to inject a special resin into the brickwork to do the same job. its an unfortunate by product of living in a damp climate but hey they got their own problems in dry climates too

Answer 6

its imposible to give a estimate without seeing the property..call a builder or three to give you free estimates.

a reputable builder WILL give you a FREE estimate...good luck

Answer 7

If done all by tradesmen £3,000 or so.