5 Main Causes of Damp in London Homes

The South East of England is the wettest region of the UK, with a clay-based basin that runs along the River Thames and this causes many instances of rising damp in buildings. Every house should have a damp-proof course installed near ground level and if this is damaged in any way, moisture rises up the walls. A row of terraced houses can all be damaged by a single breach as damp travels along building materials, especially if it goes unnoticed.

Here are some of the common causes of damp and mould in London homes.

1. Leaking roof – The roof protects the house from the harsh British climate and even a slight leak can have disastrous consequences, causing thousands of pounds in damage. Roof tiles get dislodged and can actually be lifted by gale-force winds, which is why you should have your roof inspected on a regular basis. Fascia and soffit boards are prone to decay, with driving rain and strong sunlight impacting the paint and this can be the onset of penetrating damp.
2. Blocked guttering – The guttering is a critical escape channel for excess rainwater and if it should become clogged with wet leaves and twigs, this eventually leads to cascades of rainwater running down external walls and that is the beginning of penetrating damp. Our surveyor uses a mini drone to scan all guttering and blockages are removed. 
3. Compromised timber frames – Softwood was the material of choice for houses built pre-1980 and eventually, the timber degrades and damp takes hold. The ideal solution is to replace all doors and windows with aluminium double-glazed units that are made to fit the apertures.
4. Damaged damp proof course – Damp creeps up from the ground and is halted by a damp proof course (DPC) that is sandwiched between lower brick courses; if the DPC is damaged, moisture can cross the barrier and will draw up through brickwork and render, causing significant damage. If you are planning to relocate to the capital and are looking at suitable properties, make sure you arrange for an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists; if the building has damp issues, we will find it!
5. Condensation – You would be surprised to learn how many London homes have an issue with condensation, which is caused when cold meets hot, typically found on windows, walls and other hard surfaces. Running hot baths causes water vapour to form and you should keep the bathroom door closed when running hot water and open a window to allow the moisture to escape. When cooking, switch on the canopy fan to suck up the odour and heat, which will prevent condensation. Our condensation experts can make recommendations to prevent the formation of water droplets.

We are ready to carry out a professional independent damp survey on your London home; call us on 020 7205 4886 or complete the survey request form on this website and we will be in touch shortly.