Hi,
I have received the inspection report for a house I am considering buying. I understand a lot of it, but there are some parts I do not.
There are discolorations and paint peeling on the lower part of plastered walls. High values were indicated on the walls. The moisture content in the drywall on the furred exterior wall was measured to 19%.
Regarding wall construction, see the heading ground floor general.
- This sounds bad to me, is it? I guess the interior of the walls facing outward are furred with drywall, and there is moisture in these drywall boards?
Under the heading "ground floor general" it states:
During the inspection of the furred wall structure, moisture values were measured above the critical level for microbial growth in the furred exterior wall, and high values were indicated on plastered walls.
To investigate the cause and extent of the elevated values indicated on exterior walls and elevated values on the furred exterior wall,
a more in-depth investigation is recommended.
The house is likely from 1900 or so. Should I keep looking, or is this something that can be fixed by tearing out the drywall and putting up new? The house has a crawl space foundation that could not be inspected since it is not accessible.
Thankful for your expertise! /Jonas
I have received the inspection report for a house I am considering buying. I understand a lot of it, but there are some parts I do not.
There are discolorations and paint peeling on the lower part of plastered walls. High values were indicated on the walls. The moisture content in the drywall on the furred exterior wall was measured to 19%.
Regarding wall construction, see the heading ground floor general.
- This sounds bad to me, is it? I guess the interior of the walls facing outward are furred with drywall, and there is moisture in these drywall boards?
Under the heading "ground floor general" it states:
During the inspection of the furred wall structure, moisture values were measured above the critical level for microbial growth in the furred exterior wall, and high values were indicated on plastered walls.
To investigate the cause and extent of the elevated values indicated on exterior walls and elevated values on the furred exterior wall,
a more in-depth investigation is recommended.
The house is likely from 1900 or so. Should I keep looking, or is this something that can be fixed by tearing out the drywall and putting up new? The house has a crawl space foundation that could not be inspected since it is not accessible.
Thankful for your expertise! /Jonas
Hello.
If you have participated in this inspection, you have the right to contact the inspector and ask what further investigation might be necessary. When it comes to moisture, it could be worth taking a closer look. It might be something like a humid environment in the crawl space. This can be resolved easily but can also be costly.
If you have participated in this inspection, you have the right to contact the inspector and ask what further investigation might be necessary. When it comes to moisture, it could be worth taking a closer look. It might be something like a humid environment in the crawl space. This can be resolved easily but can also be costly.
I interpret this as something leaking water or the facade or roof not being sealed. This can then lead to moisture staying in the walls/finding its way to the inside and causing plaster detachment.
Based on your description, it is impossible to give more detailed advice than, as @borre112 wrote, to have an inspection company recommend extended inspections.
Based on your description, it is impossible to give more detailed advice than, as @borre112 wrote, to have an inspection company recommend extended inspections.
What is the wall construction really like? Gypsum is obviously not from the construction year. Even though it obviously doesn't need to be so dramatic, the remark sounds similar to those you can see with leaking single-step sealed plaster facades where moisture cannot be ventilated out.
- Thank you borre112, we will contact the surveyor and inquire a bit more. I have read most of what can be read about crawl space and how to remedy a damp environment there. As you say, it seems manageable if it turns out to be damp there.borre112 said:
- On some part of the roof, the gutter is supposed to be missing.. it would be interesting, based on your post, to know if this is where the moisture in the wall has been found. Thank you so much for your reply, I will take a closer look at this!mathiash77 said:
- Unfortunately, I don't know what the wall construction is like. But I will obviously ask more questions about this! It would be a pity to have to tear down all the walls.. especially without knowing what such an intervention would cost. Thank you for your answer!M myrstack said:
It sounds exactly like in a basement or basement part of a split-level house. Plastered walls indicate they are made of stone/concrete. Then cardinal errors found in numerous basements: Internal insulation and walls made of moisture-sensitive materials (wood, paper, and gypsum). The cause in basements is usually that moisture goes up into the footing/slab and further up into the walls.
If it is a crawl space where you can't crawl, it sounds like a foundation directly on the ground or perhaps a log foundation.
Regardless, it is likely the foundation wall that is absorbing groundwater into the walls. If you're lucky, it can be relatively easily fixed by removing the later poured/masonry cement on the foundation, but often there has been a reason why people have slapped on the mess that doesn't belong on a >100 years old house. (Cement-based concrete/plaster/mortar conducts water like a wick draws up candle wax.) Possibly the plinth is painted with dense plastic paint which further worsens the situation.
If you’re not interested in basic house renovation, you should probably look for another house.
(Disclaimer: Now it’s possible that imagination has run wild as there’s very limited information about the house.)
If it is a crawl space where you can't crawl, it sounds like a foundation directly on the ground or perhaps a log foundation.
Regardless, it is likely the foundation wall that is absorbing groundwater into the walls. If you're lucky, it can be relatively easily fixed by removing the later poured/masonry cement on the foundation, but often there has been a reason why people have slapped on the mess that doesn't belong on a >100 years old house. (Cement-based concrete/plaster/mortar conducts water like a wick draws up candle wax.) Possibly the plinth is painted with dense plastic paint which further worsens the situation.
If you’re not interested in basic house renovation, you should probably look for another house.
(Disclaimer: Now it’s possible that imagination has run wild as there’s very limited information about the house.)