This customer in Glasgow received a quote from a “specialist” contractor for extensive damp-proofing works above floor level due to “rising damp”. Whilst damp readings were obtained just above skirting level, profiling suggested the issue was most likely dampness below the floor.
The sub-floor void was easily accessed through a cellar door (a fact the previous “surveyor” had missed).
The attached photo shows the original bitumen dpc intact and the floor void is in excess of 1 metre deep.
What was missed was the fact that the solum seal had perished exposing a damp substrate causing a build up of moisture on the sub-floor void. What was also missed were the areas of dry rot affecting discarded timber across the solum and growing on the base of sub—floor walls. Luckily, this has not yet affected structural ground floor timbers.
A specification of clearing, sterilising and sealing the solum coupled with increased ventilation will tackle the actual problem and also deal with the damp readings above the floor.
