Damp Survey
Damp is a very serious threat to all London properties due to the fact that the capital city sits on the Thames Valley Basin, which has a thick layer of clay that impacts drainage. Add to that the increased rainfall statistics and you have the perfect environment for damp, mould and timber rot.
- We are a Chartered Building Company
- Full members of the BWPDA (British Wood Preserving & Damp Proofing Association)
- PCA (Property Care Association)
- CHAS and the Guarantee Protection Trust
London’s Top Damp Survey Provider
London Damp Proofing Ltd have been inspecting London homes for more than 4 decades and our PCA-certified damp surveyors have years of hands-on experience inspecting homes in all London Boroughs. Simply put, if a building has damp, mould, woodworm or timber rot, we will find it, and what’s more, we work closely with one of London’s top damp-proofing companies.
Common Damp Issues in London Homes
The damp UK climate is the perfect environment for the following moisture problems that are typically found in London properties.
Rising Damp
Ground moisture will rise up a building if there is no damp-proof course, or DPC, as it is commonly known. In older properties, the DPC is a bitumen-based membrane that is installed between the lower brick courses and acts as a barrier to prevent moisture from attacking the building. There are many areas of London where moisture retention is an issue and rising damp is a serious threat to homes. Should the DPC membrane be compromised, damp will creep up the walls using capillary action, damaging brickwork, masonry and timber.
Older London Properties
London is a very old city and many buildings are more than 100 years old and when they were built, the DPC membrane was very basic and not designed to last for centuries. All it takes is a little ground movement or a serious frost to damage DPC and rising damp is inevitable. If you suspect that rising damp is present in your London home, call London Damp Proofing Ltd or complete the online form on this site and one of our PCA-certified damp surveyors will find the root cause and make treatment recommendations.
Penetrating Damp
Moisture that enters a building via the roof or external walls is known as penetrating damp, which causes serious damage if not immediately addressed. A leaking roof, for example, can lead to joists and rafters succumbing to moisture and that can lead to mould and mildew growth, which is a known health hazard. Years of driving rain can compromise external walls and damp can penetrate and affect interior walls and timber frames, which can be an expensive fix.
Condensation in London Homes
The cold winter months present the perfect environment for condensation, when cold surfaces meet warmth and droplets of water naturally form. There are many causes of condensation, which range from running hot water to penetrating damp and drying wet clothing in the house. Normally, this is a winter problem and excess moisture in the air is a prime cause, as is lack of ventilation. Damage caused by condensation should not be repaired until the root cause is diagnosed and appropriate damp-proofing work is carried out, as the problem will reappear.
Woodworm
There are two species of invasive insects that attack timber in the UK, which are the Deathwatch Beetle and the Common Furniture Beetle and both cause considerable damage to timber. The adult beetles burrow tiny holes into timber and leave small mounds of dust nearby; they then lay their eggs inside the holes and when they hatch, the larvae start to consume wood pulp and unless action is taken, the cycle continues. Tell-tale signs include rows of small holes, mounds of dust and creamy white eggs laying nearby and the occasional dead adult beetle.
Wet and Dry Rot
These fungal growths attack timber; dry rot spreads much faster and can traverse aggressively through a building with less moisture content than wet rot, which needs a minimum of 50% moisture level to thrive. Wet rot tends to darken timber and it cannot spread through masonry, which helps to compartmentalise the fungus, while dry rot appears as a white or yellowish growth that releases spores. If you see signs of timber rot in your London home, don’t hesitate to contact London Damp Proofing Ltd; we cover all boroughs of London and our PCA-certified damp surveyors provide an accurate assessment.
Homebuyers Survey
If you are planning to purchase a property in London, you should be aware that damp issues can be easily concealed with a skim of plaster and a few coats of paint. The last thing you want is to find out a few months after the purchase that your new home has serious damp issues that could cost thousands of pounds to repair. Unfortunately, this does happen, which is why you should arrange for a PCA-certified damp surveyor to inspect the building prior to purchase and should issues be found, you can negotiate with the seller.
We are proud of our professional survey services and competitive pricing and should you wish to have a property inspected, call London Damp Proofing Ltd or make an online enquiry via the survey booking form and we will arrange for one of our accredited damp surveyors to examine the property and you will receive a detailed report in your inbox the following day.