I had a damp survey carried out by Rentokil, a well-reviewed and reputable company. They identified a rising damp issue that needs to be addressed and quoted me for a chemical DPC injection along with re-plastering. While I’m happy to proceed with the DPC injection, I’m wondering whether it’s worth having the re-plastering done by them, as it’s quite expensive and I could get it done cheaper elsewhere.

 

Rentokil requires the plastering to be done to their specifications (please see attached ) for the 30-year guarantee to remain valid. Do you think it’s worth using my own plasterer and saving a significant amount of money, even if it means forfeiting the guarantee? Or would it be better to go with Rentokil for the plastering as well?

 

I would suggest doing a LOT of research into the Damp proofing industry in general before committing to anything. 
without knowing a single thing about your case,I will say that I’m 90% certain you do not have rising damp. 
EDIT-please have a look at Peter Ward’s videos on YT. 

Edited February 13, 20251 yr by Brickie

Rentakill are not going to come around and do a free survey, and say "The guttering is blocked, sort that and you will be fine" Every survey they do today, will require a load of work to be done. That's how they make money.

 

Hi Bricke and Big Jimbo,

That’s the issue I have with free surveys—they often come with limitations. However, Rentokil charged me £330 for theirs, so they’re making money from the survey itself, and additional work is obviously their most profitable avenue. That said, I didn't entirely rely on  their

 

I’ve also done extensive research on this myself, and after reviewing various sources, I find the rising damp diagnosis to be the most plausible. Additionally, I’ve sought opinions from some friends in the trade (albeit in a different part of the country), and they also believe it’s likely a rising damp issue. Based on that, I’m fairly confident in this conclusion.

Let’s proceed on the basis that it is rising damp, as I’d appreciate an answer to my original question 

Edited February 13, 20251 yr by raja

We would need a lot more information. Construction etc, and we are not experts. You could do an injected damp proof course yourself for a few hundred quid. I did One on my daughters several years ago. plaster dried out, and no sign of damp since.

Companies like Rentokill typically treat symptoms, not causes. "Rising damp" is caused by things like; impermeable materials on both sides of the brick work (gypsum plaster and cement pointing/render), leaking gutters, broken drains) none of which are remedied by an injected DPC and damp proof plastering. 

 

Before you start taking lumps out your walls, I'd find the source the moisture, address that and see what you're left with. 

I co owned DPC company for a few years Doing around four homes per week  The majority of dpc iwe carried out where unnecessary But part of a mortgage condition 

Poor ventilation is the prime suspect 

 

if you do go ahead 

You will need to remove the bottom 1200 mil of plaster and treat for salt 

 

Rentakil is franchised out now 

So get a couple of quotes 

All will tell you that you need work doing 

 

Edited February 13, 20251 yr by nod