The Importance of a Pre-Purchase Damp Survey

Buying real estate is a huge investment, especially in and around London, where prices are the highest in the UK and unfortunately, damp is a very serious threat to all property. Ask any builder and they will gladly confirm that it is very easy to conceal damp damage; all it takes is a skim of plaster and a couple of coats of paint and no one would ever know that damp was present. When a seller is faced with the prospect of spending a few thousand pounds on damp-proofing, they often revert to a cheap concealment and the new owner would discover the damp damage a few months after the sale went through. In order to avoid such a situation, book an independent damp survey from an established company such as London Damp Proofing Ltd and get a definitive answer. In the event damp is present, you can negotiate with the seller and come to an agreement.

What Does a Pre-Purchase Damp Survey Involve?

At London Damp Proofing Ltd, we offer 3 levels of damp survey, which are as follows:

LEVEL 1 DAMP SURVEY – COST £199 + VAT – This includes a thorough inspection of all external and internal walls and ceilings, looking for signs of damp and mould.

LEVEL 2 DAMP SURVEY – COST £299 + VAT – All of level 1, plus a thorough inspection of loft timbers, joists, rafters and floors, checking for timber rot and mould.

LEVEL 3 DAMP SURVEY – COST £399 + VAT –  Both levels 1 & 2, along with the use of thermal imagery, borescope camera, humidity testing, drone imagery and a ventilation flow test to determine the presence of damp, mould, woodwork and timber rot. The most comprehensive survey that will reveal any damp issues, regardless of location.

Additional service COST £299 + VAT – We lab test up to 10 plaster samples to accurately measure moisture content.

Potential Damp Issues in London Properties

The list of potential damp issues is long and includes the following:

• Rising Damp – Caused by moisture from the ground, rising damp is a common issue with older properties. If the damp proof course is damaged, this will result in damp attacking the building. If the DPC membrane cannot be repaired, a chemical foam can be injected into cavity walls to create a new barrier. Our survey would reveal the root cause and we would make treatment recommendations. Although we only provide surveys, we work very closely with the top damp-proofing company in London.
• Penetrating Damp – Moisture that enters a structure from the roof or external walls is known as penetrating damp. Years of driving rain and harsh weather can lead to masonry, brickwork and mortar becoming compromised and moisture penetrates the interior. Regular inspections are advised for early detection to minimise damage.
• Condensation – Typically a winter problem, condensation can be caused by a number of conditions and it can seriously damage a property. Prior to resolving the issue, you first have to diagnose the root cause and carry out damp-proofing before you repair the damage.
• Woodworm – This destructive insect thrives in a moist environment and adult beetles burrow into wood and lay their eggs, which turn into larvae that consume wood pulp. We recommend a professional approach to eradicating woodworm to ensure that all traces are gone, never to return.
• Wet and Dry Rot – Both these species of fungi attack timber; dry rot spreads quickly and can traverse through masonry and other materials, while wet rot needs more moisture to survive. Timber that is affected by rot tends to darken and edges are brittle and might be soft to the touch.

If you are planning to make an offer on a London property, don’t take risks; book a pre-purchase damp survey with London Damp Proofing Ltd and find out whether or not the property has damp, mould or timber rot issues.

Call us during regular office hours or leave your details in our online booking form on this site and we will get back to you shortly.