Q. Not sure if this is the right category, but I have a conservatory with suspended floor and window sills approx 1.5m high on the outside. I wish to infill the surrounding area to create a patio/level garden, but must bridge the DPC which is an average of 30cms off the ground. Please can you advise how to proceed?

Submitted by: CK
 

Q. Why does the PGA only offer a twenty year guarantee?

Submitted by: Unknown
 

Q. My father has had a leak from his washing machine in the kitchen.  This has spread under the floorboards in the kitchen into the bathroom. The insurance company were quite happy to pay to replace the floorboard affected in the Kitchen and bathroom as it had spread to there as well. They came to do the work but have said that there is wet rot in the bathroom and therefore the insurance company will no longer pay for the floor in the bathroom. As some of the damage must have been caused by the leak my father does not know where he now stands with the insurance company. Can you advise please?

Submitted by: LK 

Q. Does it make a difference if a company is a member of a trade association or not?

Submitted by: SN
 

Q. Our garage lies at the side of our property. The property and garden at the back is higher than ours and they have built their patio right against our garage wall three bricks above the damp course. It is a single brick wall. The water pours in when it rains. We told them about this a year ago and they dug a channel which fills with water every time it rains making it even worse. Our insurance company says it is their responsibility to claim off their insurance company as they are causing the damage to our garage but they refuse to do so. They said we could get it fixed if we got a reputable builder. But now we have got a builder they are ignoring him and us. What can we do?

Submitted by: Dennis 
 

Q. Before I bought my house I had to have a survey of the timbers and for rising damp carried out. I have now moved in and discovered a rot in a floor that was not mentioned in the report. What should I do?

Submitted by: Anon
 

Q. I am just about to buy my first property. The valuation survey has just come back with the following 'works to be carried out':
1. Elimination of dampness at ground level to include check of sub-floor timbers and improvement of floor ventilation.
2. Investigation with regard to wall ties
I'm not sure what to do now?! Are these advisory or necessary? They have recommended a retention of £1500 on the mortgage. Who should I contact for the best advice? Please help!

Submitted by: SST
 

Q. I have recently purchased my house and my solicitor has sent me a copy of a guarantee for timber and damp treatment. Is this all I need if I had to make a claim?
Submitted by: SG
 

Q. I have a property with possible rising damp. I have owned the property for approx 1.5yr. It has had a damp course treatment and I have the guarantee certificate, the work was carried out on the 23/7/1976. I am trying to find a phone number for the company but I checked on Companies’ House and the company looks to have been dissolved. How do I go about claiming on the guarantee?

Submitted by: Anon