Rising Damp is it real or just a marketing ploy by damp proofing companies ?

[Dark Lord Al]

Beenz for one you can buy an electronic damp meter for not alot of money.
Fact - rising damp is never above 1 metre high.
Old methods of injecting the brick work doesnt really work.
New methods are , a special gel u inject into the mortor joint ( every 75mm )at damp level ,
The gel uses the moisture in the morter to travel along the join , creating a very good damp seal.
Also knock of the plaster to 1 meter high , do the same thing with the gel on the inside course.
Then when you replaster using sand and cement with a waterproofer additive.
This should sort out the problem , and if you have a builder pal , doesnt have to cost the earth , if the house is right for you , dont be put off by a bit of damp.
Plaster moisture levels can be affected by not having heating on in the property for a few weeks.

Good Luck.

[Beanz]

Thanks AL. The house is over 100 years old and so I don't think there is currently a DPC but the survey is also suggesting there MAY be dry or wet rot in the timber and joists running under the floorboards. To me that is all conjecture until the owner lifts a few carpets and lets at least the floorboards and if possible some joists be examined. I think the place being unoccupied for a while could have led to condensation and even things like foil backed paper on walls can lead to high moisture reading on damp meters so with no tide marks internally or externally I have my doubts. We shall see.

[Dark Lord Al]

Thanks AL. The house is over 100 years old and so I don't think there is currently a DPC but the survey is also suggesting there MAY be dry or wet rot in the timber and joists running under the floorboards. To me that is all conjecture until the owner lifts a few carpets and lets at least the floorboards and if possible some joists be examined. I think the place being unoccupied for a while could have led to condensation and even things like foil backed paper on walls can lead to high moisture reading on damp meters so with no tide marks internally or externally I have my doubts. We shall see.

If you are unsure of the underfloor conditions then yes insist on floorboards to be lifted , there will probably be a trap in the floor anyway.
Main thing to check is the underfloor ventilation , timber needs a constant airflow to stop dry rot etc from taking hold.
As for its age it is possible it will have a SLATE DPC which was common pratice years ago.
As i said the new methods are very good indeed , but ventilation is a must , check it , and if it doesnt have enough put it forward as a retention condition.