Rising Damp
London sits on the Thames Valley Basin, a clay-based region that holds water and this is a very real threat to London properties. Every building should have a damp proof course (DPC) and in older properties, the DPC is a thick bitumen strip that is placed between the lower brick courses, which acts as a barrier, preventing ground moisture from rising up the building. Rising damp can lead to extensive damage and if mould develops, this is a health hazard. Book an independent damp survey today and get an accurate evaluation of your London home regarding damp, mould and timber rot. Don’t take chances by thinking that rising damp is something that affects other properties; make sure that you contact an established damp survey company and get a definitive answer to bring you peace of mind.
Independent Damp Survey
Rising damp is often misdiagnosed and if the wrong treatment is applied, it can be a costly mistake. Book an independent damp survey with London Damp Specialists and if rising damp is present, we will find it. We offer 3 different levels of damp survey, which gives the homeowner choices and should remedial damp-proofing work be required, we work closely with the best damp-proofing company in London.
How Does Rising Damp Occur?
Ground moisture can creep up a building with a capillary action, much like a sponge absorbs water and if not addressed, the damp can penetrate the external walls, damaging the plaster and timber frames. The main way that rising damp damages a building is when the damp proof course is compromised; DPC is a waterproof membrane that is between the first two courses of bricks and this acts as a barrier to stop moisture impacting anything above the DPC. In the event the DPC membrane is damaged, rising damp is inevitable.
Victorian Houses
The older the building, the more likely rising damp is an issue; many Victorian terraced houses have damp issues due to DPC damage and often, the best solution is an injectable waterproof foam that fills cavity walls and that improves insulation, as well as being a barrier to stop moisture in its tracks. If you suspect that your London home has rising damp issues, call London Damp Specialists on 020 8528 3277 or fill in the online booking form and we will arrange for a PCA-certified surveyor to inspect your home and if damp is coming from an adjoining property, we will trace the origin.
Rising Damp from Adjoining Properties
There are many terraced houses in London and older properties often have DPC issues, which might be due to age and wear and tear. In a row of 5 terraced houses, if one had DPC issues, rising damp can impact the other houses, which would not be apparent until damp damage is noticed. If an extension is added to the rear of a property and a suitable DPC has not been installed, damp is able to rise up the walls, causing damage as it goes.
Tell-Tale Signs of Rising Damp
The signs of rising damp include:
- Crumbling masonry, render and mortar
- Moss growth on external walls
- Damaged architrave and skirting board
- Damaged plaster
- Peeling wallpaper
- Bubbling and flaking paint
- Powder residue on walls
If you notice any of the above signs, contact London Damp Specialists and book an independent damp survey and if rising damp is present, we will find it.
Treatments for Rising Damp
There are a few effective solutions for rising damp:
- Chemical foam injectables for cavity wall insulation
- Using waterproof plaster/render
- Use of a salt neutraliser on walls
- DPC repair/replacement
Time is of the essence with rising damp and after we survey the property, we can recommend an established damp-proofing company that serves all London Boroughs.
Rising damp can cause serious property damage, especially if it goes unaddressed and if you suspect that your London home might have a rising damp problem, we can accurately assess the building and recommend the best long-term solution.
Call us on 020 8528 3277 or complete the online survey booking form and we’ll be in touch.
Rising damp is moisture coming from the ground and every building in London must have a damp-proof course, or DPC. In older properties, this membrane can easily be damaged and should that happen, damp can cross the barrier and rise up the external walls, causing a great deal of damage. Either the DPC needs to be repaired or use of a chemical foam that is injected into cavity walls, providing an impenetrable barrier that ground moisture cannot pass.
As the name suggests, rising damp comes from the ground and moisture can quickly damage brickwork, masonry and timber if a DPC (damp proof course) is not in place. In older houses, the DPC might be compromised and this is the main cause of rising damp. Victorian properties, for example, typically have a bitumen strip that is inserted between the first couple of brickwork courses and this can easily be damaged by ground movement. Once the DPC is compromised, moisture can pass the barrier and start to climb up the external walls, which will cause significant damage. Another cause is building an extension that does not have a DPC membrane, as this bypasses the membrane, allowing moisture to climb up the building. Terraced houses are also prone to rising damp; all it takes is one breach and moisture can travel into an adjoining property and there would be no visible signs at first.
If rising damp keeps recurring, perhaps the best solution is injectable foam DPC into cavity walls. It is a common problem with older properties when the old DPC is compromised and rather than trying to repair it, creating a new watertight DPC foam membrane is the best long-term solution. Our PCA-certified damp surveyors can assess the building and recommend the best long-term treatment.
Every building should have a damp proof course (DPC), which provides a barrier to stop moisture crossing and in older houses, this comprises of a bitumen-based strip that is sandwiched between the lower brick courses. This can easily become damaged and the best way to determine whether or not DPC is present is to book a damp survey from London Damp Specialists. Our surveyor is able to identify the DPC and also to locate any damage; in some cases, it is best to inject a foam barrier that acts as a DPC, which is a long-term solution to prevent rising damp.
Damp plaster can be caused by several things; penetrating damp can come from external walls or a leaking roof, while rising damp is another potential cause of moisture getting into plaster. Peeling paint and wallpaper are tell-tale signs of damp plaster and when we carry out a damp survey, we can lab test up to 10 samples of plaster to measure the moisture content. It is critical to source the origin of the moisture and our surveyors use cutting-edge tools and equipment to assess a property.
Damp Survey Costs
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for our independent, unbiased surveys.
Level 1
What’s included:
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 2
What’s included:
- Everything in Level 1
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 3 (Most Popular)
What’s included:
- Thermal Imaging
- Air humidity testing
- HD boroscope camera
- Brickwork pointing inspection
- DPC inspection
- Ventilation flow test on extractor fans
- 4K drone imagery roof, chimney stack
and guttering inspection - Structural condition inspection
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Survey Add Ons
Add On 1
Laboratory analysis Of plaster identifies hygroscopic salts such as chlorides and nitrates. which indicate whether damp is caused by rising groundwater or by plumbing leaks, This testing removes guesswork, allowing the exact source of moisture to be identified so the correct treatment is applied rather than carrying out unnecessary damp-proofing work.
Add On 2
qPCR DNA mould testing detects microscopic mould spores that are invisible during a normal inspection and van remain hidden behind walls, floors. or inside building rkaterials. It identifies the exact mould species present and the contamination level, allowing hidden mould problems to be confirrned and properly treated before they affect the property or occupants’ health.
Qualifications: All our surveyors are PCA and CSRT qualified for remedial treatments and also CSSW qualified for structural waterproofing.
Next day report: You will receive the report within 24 hours of the inspection taking place.
These are the tools we use
Damp Meter
A damp meter is a diagnostic tool used to detect and measure moisture levels within building materials such as plaster, brick, timber, and concrete.
Borescope camera
borescope camera is a small inspection camera attached to a flexible semi-rigid cable that allows you to see inside areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
Drone Inspection
A drone is a remotely operated aerial device equipped with a camera that allows visual inspection from above without the need for scaffolding or ladder.
Air Humidity Sensor
Air humidity sensor measures the amount of moisture present in the air, expressed as relative humidity (RH) in percentage. It helps determine whether indoor conditions are contributing to condensation, mould growth, or damp-related issues.
Thermal Imaging Camera
A thermal imaging camera detects temperature differences on surfaces by using infrared technology to produce a heat map image. In damp investigations, it helps identify cold spots, moisture intrusion, insulation defects, thermal bridging and leaks.
Air Flow Ventilation Detector
An air flow ventilation detector measures the movement and volume of air passing through vents, extractor fans, and air bricks. It confirms whether ventilation systems are working properly and achieving adequate air changes within a room. Poor airflow leads to trapped moisture, high humidity, condensation on cold surfaces, and ultimately mould growth.
Mould Lab Swab Testing
A mould swab test is carried out to confirm the presence of hidden mould growth and identify the specific species involved. Surface mould is not always visible, especially behind furniture, inside cavities, or within ventilation systems. Laboratory analysis of a swab sample determines whether active mould spores are present and what type they are, which helps assess potential health risks and decide the correct remediation approach rather than relying on visual assumption alone.
Lab Analysis of Plaster
Laboratory analysis of plaster is used to identify the type of salts present within the material, typically chlorides and nitrates. The presence and concentration of these salts help determine whether the moisture source is consistent with rising damp, ground contamination, or another forms [sic] of water ingress. such as mains water leak, This removes guesswork and prevents misdiagnosis, ensuring the correct remedial treatment is specified rather than applying unnecessary or ineffective solutions.
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