Why Independent Damp Surveys Are Essential When Buying a London Property

London sits on a bed of mainly clay, which is the Thames Valley Basin and this means a high degree of water retention, especially in certain low-lying areas where ground moisture is a real problem. Rising damp can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage and it is not difficult to conceal damp damage; a few coats of paint is all it takes. The last thing you want is to discover the property has damp issues after you have completed the purchase and in order to be absolutely sure the property is free from damp, mould and timber rot, you should book an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists.

Multiple damp survey levels

We offer 3 main levels of damp survey, which are as follows:

• Independent damp survey level 1 – This is designed for a potential buyer or seller and includes a thorough inspection of all external and internal floors, walls and ceilings, looking for signs of damp and mould. If the survey shows the property is free from damp, then you can move ahead with some confidence. 
• Independent damp survey level 2 – This includes all of level 1 plus a thorough inspection of internal roof timbers and other timber structures. Woodworm and wet and dry rot cause a lot of damage if not addressed and our survey is the best way to find out if damp is present in the building.
• Independent damp survey level 3 – The most extensive of our damp surveys, all of levels 1 & 2, plus we use hygrometers, thermal imagery, borescope cameras and drone imagery to accurately assess a building for damp, mould, woodworm and timber rot.
• Additional lab test of plaster – For an additional fee, we will lab test up to 10 plaster samples for proof of moisture content. This might be required for a home insurance claim or a buyer insists on the tests.

We understand that time is of the essence when buying or selling London property and we can usually carry out the survey within a few days of the booking. The customer receives a detailed survey report in their inbox within 24 hours of survey completion. 

Damp-proofing in London

While we only carry out independent damp surveys, we do have a close working relationship with the best damp-proofing company that covers all London Boroughs; they are proud to issue a comprehensive 30-year guarantee. If damp returns to an area, the company will fix it at no cost to the customer, which brings peace of mind.

If you are planning to put your London home, book an independent damp survey with London Damp Specialists; call us on 020 7205 4886 or complete the survey request form on this website and one of our certified damp surveyors will inspect your home and provide you with a full report that you can show to potential buyers.