Wine cellars – the problems with underground rooms

For many, having a basement or cellar is a boon when buying a property.

It can act as an additional storage space, or it can be converted into an area where the children can set up as a playroom, or the adults can use it as a den or for partying, depending on the mood of the prospective owners.

But, being subterranean, cellars are subject to a number of issues that might not affect the other rooms in the house.

The principal issue is one of damp. If the cellar hasn't been prepared as a room for living in, it is quite likely that moisture will seep through the foundations from the surrounding soil, or rise through the floor, if it is little more than an earth base.

The problem, if it isn't managed effectively, becomes a greater one if that damp is not managed effectively. Dampness is a prime environment for mould and mildew to grow, which can spread to other parts of the home, and endanger the health of those living it, especially if they are vulnerable to chest or breathing problems.

Not only that, but the damp will be the perfect conditions for any wooden structure in the cellar to begin rotting. These include the joists and floorboards of the room(s) above, which then creates instability in those above-ground locations.

There is also the likelihood of unpleasant odours making themselves felt in other parts of the house, making the quality of life derived from living there lower than for those properties without a cellar.

That's not to say that cellars are a bad feature of the home. Because they can be converted into living spaces or for extra storage options, it effectively opens up the options for how the home is used.

And there are things that can be done to manage the dampness in a cellar so that it can be used without fear of destroying furniture and belongings, or impacting the health of those living there.

The obvious solution is to manage the damp before it becomes a critical issue. 

This will include ensuring an adequate airflow through it: if there is a connection to a chimney or flue that these are clear and air can flow freely, that if a fireplace has been blocked up higher in the house that there is a suitable mechanism to manage the airflow such as the installation of a grille that can be opened and closed. The most important point is to ensure that the airbricks that should be in place in the external walls around the property are free of detritus and air can flow in and out properly.

A more expensive option is to look at bringing in a reputable company to damp-proof the cellar, which they do by lining it with a suitable material that blocks the moisture from coming in.

So, what should you think about if you are planning on buying a house that has a cellar?

The first thing is to inspect it yourself if it is safe to do so, so that you know what you are buying should you go ahead. If you detect the odour of damp and mould spores, as well as seeing any evidence of problems, you might want to rethink your options. If the current owners use the cellar periodically, have a look at what is stored there or the furniture they have installed to see if there is a problem with it.

If you are still keen to go ahead with the purchase, whether you found any troublesome evidence of damp or mildew growing, you should line up a RICS Level 3 Survey, so that an experienced chartered surveyor can verify the position further. 

The surveyor will use a variety of technologies to assess the house as a whole, which will include a measure of the level of dampness in places like the bathroom, downstairs toilet and the cellar. If the readings are sufficiently high to warrant concern, they will then inspect the cellar in more detail, looking for evidence of damp-related problems. If the cellar has been converted, the surveyor will appraise the materials and techniques used to damp-proof it, again looking for potential issues.

The final report will be presented to you using a visually-expressive traffic-light system to make the results of their investigation obvious and easy to understand:

• Green - no problems identified

• Amber - problems identified but immediate remedies not required, but will be needed in the future

• Red - significant or urgent problems requiring immediate remedial work to be carried out

Where they have identified a problem, the surveyor will also give pointers on the type of remedy required and a broad idea of the costs of rectification. All this information can then be used by you to either back out of the purchase, or to open renegotiations on the asking price to pay for part or all of the work required. Note that you cannot reasonably request the seller to damp-proof a cellar to make it a habitable room.

At any time, you can talk to your surveyor about anything that is of concern to you. It's a good idea to write a list before you appoint them so that the surveyor can focus particular attention on the items to either confirm your suspicions or allay your concerns.

When it comes down to it, the home you are planning to buy is a major investment and it's only right that you should know what the issues with it are from the roof to the cellar from the main property to any outbuildings. It will give that peace of mind that you know what you are investing in for the future.

Have you been to see a property that looks like a viable proposition for buying but are concerned about the structural integrity, including any dampness issues in the cellar and its impact?

You'll want to get a professional assessment of any existing problems and what the remedial effort and cost will be with a RICS Level 3 Survey. 

At Surveyor Local, we only work with chartered surveyors who are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, ensuring the survey you get is always professionally delivered.

They will work hard to identify all kinds of problems, including the impact of prior flooding on the structure of the property.

Where a survey does reveal any issues with a property, the buyer is then armed with knowledge that can allow them either to renegotiate the price, have the seller carry out the repairs or pull out of the purchase altogether.

That's where it is really worth contacting Surveyor Local! 

Call  to get your no-obligation survey quote started, or to discuss your concerns with the acquisition of your planned property.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Surveyor Local's easy-to-use quote generator. Simply input your name, postcode, email address, phone number and an approximate value of the property (usually the agreed price), and we'll give you an instant quote for the work (with an email copy). 

We'll do the rest once you confirm your acceptance of the quote.