The Importance of Pre-Purchase Damp & Timber Surveys

Today’s episode of The Damp Show is all about why having a full damp and timber survey done before purchasing a property is a good idea. Using a recent survey he completed in Barnsley; he demonstrates how easy it is for lay people to miss the signs that a property has a serious damp and mould issue. Sam also explains how to become a qualified damp and timber surveyor. He looks at the changes that have been made to the training provided by organisations like the PCA and CITB. Get Your FREE E-Book PLUS More Great Content, Courses and Advice @ www.dampsam.com KEY TAKEAWAYS Some damp issues are obvious. You can see and smell it, but often you are only seeing half the story. When a house goes on the market it is often freshly painted and has new carpets which can make everything look OK to a layperson and even some general surveyors. A qualified damp surveyor will see beyond this. The average person won´t notice floor deflections which are a sign of long-term damp issues. You have to look beyond any repair work. The property Sam surveyed had a new roof, yet there was still extensive black mould in the attic. Buyers are rarely given enough access to discover damp and mould in places like the gable ends. A surveyor will have access and should check every nook and cranny. Most general surveyors will not be anywhere near as thorough as a proper damp and mould surveyor. It is not uncommon for them to totally miss damp issues or only partially identify structural issues relating to damp. If problems are found, you can find out how much the work will cost and negotiate a lower price. Having a full damp and timber survey done is not cheap, but it can easily save you thousands, so is often a good investment. There is some funding available for employers who want to send their apprentices for training. BEST MOMENTS  “If I could condemn it, I would have.” “It were like climbing North face of Eiger, the steepest stairs I´ve ever seen.” “A competent qualified surveyor will be able to see if there's going to be an issue in the next 6 to 36 months.”   Do you want to find out why your property is damp, so you can start the process of solving the issue the right way? – Go to Why Do I Have Damp in My Property Damp Sam Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/84911630448/ and upload your photos. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.citb.co.uk/standards-and-delivering-training/training-standards/short-training-standards-search/insulation-and-building-treatments/surveying-timber-and-dampness-in-buildings/ABOUT THE HOSTSimon Cooper AKA Damp Sam is a time-served plasterer since 1983 and has a HNC in building management. He is the director of 3 Ltd companies and a PCA-qualified Damp and structural waterproofing surveyor. He also owns a portfolio of properties that he renovated over the years.  Check my YouTube Channel where you can find hundreds of videos all about Damp! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDh4nXWTEAPxsG5JIX3VdIg - if you also want access to the paid membership content, click the Join button. https://www.instagram.com/all_dry_damp/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-cooper-csrt-cssw-hncdampsam-45528649/ https://www.tiktok.com/@damp_sam?lang=en The products Damp Sam recommends, because he has used them for many years, are available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/dampsamhnccsrtcssw CONTACT METHOD [e-mail]://www.facebook.com/AllDryDP/ [e-mail] [e-mail] Damp, Damp proofing, Property, Help, plaster, mould, ingress, wet, water: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-damp-show/id1616529938?itsct=podcast_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1