Just about to move into house, and have had homebuyers survey which states i have rising damp. They have recomended a firm in Sheffield called Higginbottom Lascelle. Anybody used this company before and are they recomended?

The industry standard silicone product that is used to inject properties with rising damp is made by a company called Sovereign. The website is at www.sovchem.co.uk.

Only approved contractors may issue you with their certificate and this is recognised by mortgage lenders as proof that the work has been carried out properly.

Sovereign will, on request, supply you with a list of approved contractors in your area.

Just dont buy the house, rising damp can be a major problem.... and can run in to thousands of pounds be very aware.

You can do this yourself for a fraction of the price of a professional firm. I went to HSS hired one of those injector machines for the weekend, bought a really big tin of the stuff you inject into the walls, drilled the holes and injected the walls in around four hours (three bed end of terrace). Never had a problem since and I still have gallons of that injector fluid left over.

Higginbottoms used to provide a free check and then quote for any works needed. I have used them before and found them to be really reputable and would not hesitate to use them again.
If they still offer the service you have nothing to lose,
Mel

What sort of property is this? I've known "rising damp" to be caused by all sorts of things: incorrect materials being used when renovating, blocked drains, plaster skimmed over old surfaces which had previously been damp... I'd consider getting a specialist surveyor out, and I mean a member of the RICS, NOT a "surveyor" who works for a damp-proof company.

Seconding what Peacock Lady said, plus have a quick read of the following link before you make any decisions :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2003/05/20/pjeff21.xml

There's a very useful forum at www.periodproperty.co.uk, where you'll get lots of advice regarding damp problems in older houses. If this is a standard Sheffield Victorian terrace, it's well worth asking over there and seeing what you can find out.

I have just read the link to ''Jeff'' at the Telegraph where he states that ''rising damp is a myth; British houses don't suck up moisture''
He is of course talking rubbish. I should like to hear him argue that one out with building control if he failed to install a DPC in a new build project.
I realise that cash is sometimes a bit tight when buying a house, but if you intend buying an older property, don't necessarily rely on a budget survey. A chartered surveyors report ought to give some indication as to why there is rising damp, the reasons can be many.

Handypandy, Jeff at the Telegraph is talking a lot of sense. The majority of buildings in the UK don't "suck water up from the ground", and installing a DPC can make matters worse: for example, if a house is built with lime mortar, rather than cement-based mortar (as were most houses before about 1920, I think--but do check that date), installing a DPC will do a lot of harm. Sadly, very few builders and damp "surveyors" are aware of how a lime building functions, and so will insist on a DPC being installed at the first hint of damp.

Just about to move into house, and have had homebuyers survey which states i have rising damp. They have recomended a firm in Sheffield called Higginbottom Lascelle. Anybody used this company before and are they recomended?

Don't really want to go into detail but i would avoid these people.

Don't really want to go into detail but i would avoid these people.

I have had this company recommended to me by many different people in the past. Have you had a problem with them?

I have had this company recommended to me by many different people in the past. Have you had a problem with them?

Don't really want to go into detail but i would avoid these people.

I would second this. Avoid Higginbottom & Lacelle like the plague. I couldn't fit into one post what went wrong with them

I used them when I had a similar problem at my last house. They sorted it out fine, on budget and were lovely to deal with.

Just because your survey states you have rising damp, doesn't mean you have a failed damp proof course. There are other factors that can cause what appears to be rising damp. Kitchens are the worst places, usually behind washers and sinks. What a lot of older houses suffer from is inadequate heating and ventilation. When they was built most rooms had fireplaces and air grate's. We do away with them and fit draught proof windows and doors. Ever thought where the moisture from the kettle, cooking, bath and drying laundry goes? Remember the condensation we got on single glazed windows? Well if you have solid walls the moisture floating around wants to find a cold spot. Fit trickle vents to your windows and have some fresh air coming in. When you are out at work leave a couple of windows slightly open (out of reach of burglars) and leave your room doors open, let some air get around!

Timberwise are a good local company. They offer long term guarantees (as well as insurance backed guarantees) and are Property Care Association members.

They have a good repuatation and have been in business for over 40 years.. Visit their website for more info or call on 0800 991100