Damp & Mould: 5 Worst Case Scenarios for London Property Owners

London sits on a bed of clay called the Thames Valley Basin and that means a high level of water retention, which can lead to serious damage to a building. In this short article, we present a few worst-case scenarios that London homeowners might face.

1. Missing roof tiles – In the event a storm lifts a few roof tiles are lifted by gale-force winds, this could allow a lot of rainwater into the internal roof structure. Imagine going away for a few weeks at the same time the roof develops a serious leak, you would return to a nightmare scenario with ceilings collapsing and plaster falling off walls. This is one reason to arrange for a roof inspection every few months; early detection can literally save you a fortune in repair bills.
2. Floods – Imagine a burst water pipe in the upstairs bathroom and you are away for a few days! The nearby river bursts its banks and suddenly, you are faced with a metre of water! While these things do not bear thinking about, they do happen. Of course, your home insurance should cover flood damage, you should read the small print, just to make sure. Time is of the essence when it comes to water damage and all damaged furniture should be removed.
3. Bridging the damp proof course – The DPC is a crucial component and some homeowners build an extension without giving this a thought. If the extension you built bridges the existing DPC, damp can rise up the walls and that will spread to all parts of the house. Even a piece of wood placed against the external wall can allow moisture to bypass the DPC and that can be disastrous.
4. Black mould infestation – If a property is unoccupied for a few months, mould can spread quickly if damp is present, and black mould is the most dangerous of all forms of mould, which can be fatal with prolonged exposure. The building would need to be evacuated and all furniture removed before tackling the mould. Contact a mould specialist and let the expert assess the situation and recommend a solution.
5. Wet and dry rot infestation – Again, this would probably occur in an empty property and it doesn’t take long for it to spread to all parts of the building. The roof joists and rafters are ideal places for mould to take hold, while floorboards are another key component where rot and mould can form. If you are thinking of buying a London property, it makes total sense to book an independent damp survey to discover whether or not the building has damp or mould issues.

At London Damp Specialists, we provide professional damp surveys by certified inspectors; call us on 020 7205 4886 or leave your contact details in the online form on this website. You will receive a detailed report in your inbox within one day of the survey, plus we are happy to quote for damp-proofing work. Although we do not do damp-proofing work, we do have a close relationship with a top damp-proofing contractor that covers all areas of London.