Talk Quesada forum

Hello!

We're considering a few properties in the area at the moment, and a couple of ones we've viewed have underbuilds (or sotanos, I think they're called).

Does anyone have experience of living in or dealing with properties with underbuilds?

One thing I'm interested to find out is whether they are particularly susceptible to damp or ingress of water if and when the rains come? I know it doesn't rain often, but I don't really like the idea of coming back to my holiday home to face damp issues.

Any information or observations welcome...!

Take a good look at the plumbing arrangements of the underbuild. If the main drainage pipe for the upper part of the property is higher than the floor of the basement then you have a problem.
In this situation you could install a Saniflo type of system, but these can be annoyingly noisy and obviously can't be used if you have a power cut.

Pete.

We have an under build - owned house since new 12 years.

There is no damp proof course as there is per the UK - so it is something you have to be aware of. It will depend on how high the water table is.

We have a little damp on the lower edge of the wall - minor. Could do with a repaint (never been done), but really not that bad. I have a gym and electronics in the basement, so major water - would be an issue. We have a field next to us and water table is quite high - though has been ok. Once in 12 years we had some water come up from the floor. They've since expanded the drainage.

I think the answer will be dependent on the property you purchase - though if a resale and a few years old, if there is little or no evidence of water damage - it will probably be ok. Better to buy resale than new.

Careful of the 'me too' type urb builds as some are better build than others - anything build by Masa Intl - La Zenia / Orihuela Costa way - much of it is prefab junk. That I would avoid.

Hi Fuzzygirl. We are due to complete next week on an apartment with a large 2-room underbuild. We were worried about damp, although the rooms are fully tiled and there was no evidence or smell of damp when we viewed it. That was at the beginning of November, so there would have been some rain before then.

We had a structural survey done through Rob at Don Aluminio which only cost 199 euros plus IVA. We had a very comprehensive report saying a few of the tiles had blown and it would be advisable to waterproof all the walls and re-tile, but there was no other evidence of damp. If you like one with an underbuild I would suggest getting the survey done for peace of mind.