Wrong damp proofing treatment Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[LH22]

I've just had my house damp proofed. We got a few quotes and opted for a company recommending chemical treatment combined with a cavity membrane. We were told that chemical injection alone was not suitable for our property and were sold the advantages of a cavity membrane.

We were not on site during works but there did not seem to be any sign of the cavity membrane sheeting when we saw the job at various stages in the evening. We flagged this up with the company who eventually got back to us after the job was complete and said that they had actually used SBR Latex and cement instead (no reason given although I think it was a mix up)

We were obviously quoted for the chemical and cavity membrane treatment and I am now uncertain:

a) whether the treatment actually undertaking is inferior to that initially recommended i.e. what are the pros and cons of the two treatments

b) whether there would have been a cost difference i.e. am I being ripped off if I pay the original amount quoted for a completely different treatment?

[thedoctor]

Go to our Damp proof injection (small jobs project) and contact the company advertising in there. Property Repair Systems. Their website gives full contact details and they will help you on the phone with free NO OBLIGATION advice.

[tucny]

are you saying that the cavity drainage membrane (cdm) work was to be carried out in conjunction with the dpc? i.e membrane up to a certain level (as treatment of an area below ground level) and then a dpc above to offer the protection of rising dampness? if so the existing plaster thickness may not have been thick enough to accomdate the membrane thickness, in which case the revised spec may have had to be used. What method of treatment did the other companies recommend? As for the cost difference, membrane treatment to a partial wall and a render based system are likley to be within the same region. I would recommend that you enquire whether the guarantee offered will be the same, and if possible take out an insurance backed guarantee.