WHAT IS THIS?

[kookie85]

Hi all,
Need some advise. Just bought a house and noticed this on the edges of the window in the main bedroom. It’s a terraced house and this is the room window facing themain road. In the survey report it mentioned the house needs 'damp eradication' and this was confirmed when the BT engineer came round to install the BT socket and when he drilled in the wall in the living room (room underneath this room) there where traces of dampness in the room. The report says it must be 'rising dump' and although the previous vendors said they have had a 'damp proof course' installed, there were still high damp meter readings when the surveyor had been. He also wrote that it might just be the plastering that’s a bit knackered. Also pictured.
Is it the damp causing the window seal in the bedroom to be like this?because it seems to be rotting away the panel in the edges
And how can I tell if the damp proof course and really been done?
Also could this really just be down to plastering that needs to be redone or is it more?
I’m sorry to ask so many questions but I'm new to this and new to DIY! so any advise would really help
Thanks!

[ultimatehandyman]

Hi and welcome.

That looks like penetrating damp, so the rain/water is getting in probably around the window area.

You may also have rising damp downstairs as well.

Really this should of been negotiated with the sellers before buying the house and a discount should of been applied

If the damp proof course has been fixed in the past and it has failed, then it is a big job doing it again. All effected plaster will need removing from the walls and a new DPC will need installing.

There is some good info here for you to digest-

penetrating damp

rising damp

damp proofing

chemical DPC

electro osmosis DPC

[kookie85]

Thanks ultimatehandyman for the info. The report didnt flag it as a 'important' so I guess that's why I didnt pursue it further. How much would a job like that cost approximately? Thanks again for the info

[ultimatehandyman]

It's impossible to say, you would be best off getting some quotes from a few local companies.

As well as the cost, there could be major upheaval when having it done.