FAQs

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.

At London Damp Specialists, we only offer damp surveys, however, we do work closely with one of London’s leading damp-proofing contractors and they can schedule the work as quickly as you like. Typically, within one week of survey completion, or sooner if possible.

Do you own a home in London that you might want to sell someday? If you do, then you should make absolutely sure that there are no damp problems present. Just a moist spot on the wall should be treated with utmost concern, because once they start, dampness issues can spread through your home at an alarming rate! If the damp is allowed to go untreated, your home will begin to lose its value. Even minor evidence of damp must be taken seriously before it progresses so far that your asking price is halved, or worse yet, the home becomes irreparable and you lose all of its former value.

There are times when a homeowner prefers to wait until they have sufficient funds before carrying out damp-proofing work, which is not a good idea. Damp can quickly cause considerable damage to a building and waiting for a few weeks can result in more damage caused. We strongly recommend that you undertake damp-proofing work as soon as possible and if finances are an issue, you could take out a short-term loan.

The short answer is yes. A portable dehumidifier can be moved from room to room, drying out the air and this can prevent the onset of condensation. Many London homeowners have invested in these devices for the purpose of reducing humidity and they are available from online suppliers.

The short answer is yes. If the survey results show that damp is entering the apartment from another part of the building, the customer is advised to make contact with the property owner and make them aware of the issue. The surveyor can source the origins of the issue and the report would show evidence for the nearby property owner.

The short answer is yes. We are dedicated to assisting London homeowners regarding all damp-related issues and if you have an emergency need for an independent damp survey, we will do everything in our power to facilitate the inspection as soon as possible. Give us a call on 0207 205 4886 and we can arrange a prompt damp inspection and get to the bottom of the issue.

Our initial recommendation would be to make contact with the company that carried out the work and request that they make good. However, if this is not possible for any reason, we would be happy to inspect the property and make recommendations for remedial work. The best solution is to book a damp survey via our website or call us on 0207 205 4886 and we can arrange for one of our PCA-certified surveyors to inspect the property. While we do not carry out damp-proofing work, we do work closely with a top damp-proofing London company that issues a full 30-year warranty on all work.

The short answer is yes. If you book a damp survey, our PCA-certified surveyor carries out a thorough inspection and sends you a detailed report that includes recommended waterproofing treatment. We work closely with one of the best damp-proofing companies in London and they guarantee their work for a full 30 years. There are several ways to waterproof a basement and our qualified surveyor will recommend the best treatment.

London Damp Specialists provide damp surveys on London properties; however, we do not offer damp-proofing services. We do work closely with a leading London damp-proofing company and we recommend them to our clients. They cover all London Boroughs and they issue an unconditional 30-year guarantee on all damp-proofing work they undertake. Should there ever be any issues in an area they have damp-proofed, the company will carry out the work at no cost to the customer.

At London Damp Specialists, we do not carry out damp-proofing work, we only do damp surveys, however, we work closely with a top damp-proofing company and they issue a full 30-year guarantee on all work. If, for any reason, an area that has been damp-proofed requires work, the company will carry out the work free of charge.

Having proper ventilation in the home is important for the health of the building and for you. During the dryer months, you might not think of it at all, but as the chill damp of fall and winter come around, you may begin to see the telltale signs of insufficient ventilation beginning to appear around your home. Having the ability to recognise these signs early is the first step toward rectifying the situation before it turns into more serious problems that can actually threaten your home’s structure and your personal health!

There are certain chemicals that can be applied to prevent the onset of woodworm infestation; the best solution is to book a damp survey with London Damp Specialists and our PCA-certified surveyors can recommend the best preventative measures regarding woodworm.

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.

The short answer is no. When you book a damp survey with London Damp Specialists, we do not expect payment until the survey is completed and you have received a detailed report. You can fill in the online survey booking form on this website and one of our PCA-certified damp surveyors will be in touch shortly.

Yes, making such a large investment demands that you are 100% sure that the property is free of damp, mould and timber rot. We offer a pre-purchase damp survey that is designed for potential buyers to get an accurate assessment of the current state of the property you are intending to purchase.

If time is of the essence, we can usually complete a survey within a few days of the booking; we understand the need for rapid implementation and will do our very best to stay in line with the customer’s wishes, even if that means working odd hours.

Some London homeowners have their homes inspected on an annual basis, while others prefer every two years. Damp can attack a building at any time, especially in parts of London with a high water table and if you are planning to purchase a London property, you should book a pre-purchase survey to be 100% sure that damp and mould are not present. Don’t take any chances with damp, as it can cause significant damage to buildings.

If you are planning to make an offer on a London property that has damp issues, the first thing to do is to send a copy of the report to the seller. In most cases, the seller would be prepared to have the remedial work done prior to your offer, either that or you might come to an agreement whereby the seller agrees to deduct the cost of the work from the asking price.

Damp can come from the ground, the external walls, windows and door frames and even the roof of a house. We recommend booking a damp survey with London Damp Specialists and one of your PCA-certified surveyors will inspect the property and source the origins of the moisture. We use cutting-edge equipment to accurately assess a London property and you receive a detailed report in your inbox the following day.

We would advise you to contact your landlord and ask if booking a damp survey is acceptable. If the property owner is agreeable, we would be happy to go ahead with the survey and the owner would receive a detailed survey report within a day of survey completion. We can also provide the tenant with a copy of the survey report, should that be requested.

When we carry out a damp survey, our qualified surveyor would recommend damp-proofing work, should it be required. While we do not offer damp-proofing work to our customers, we do work closely with one of London’s leading damp-proofing companies and we are happy to offer an estimate of costs, should you wish to go ahead and have the work carried out by our partner company.

If you book a damp survey with London Damp Specialists, we offer 3 levels of survey. They are as follows; level 1 – A thorough inspection of external and internal walls, floors and ceilings, looking for signs of damp & mould. Level 2 – All of level 1, plus a thorough inspection of the roof and all timber structures. Level 3 – Levels 1 & 2, plus ventilation flow test, use of drone and thermal camera imagery. We also offer an additional service to lab test up to 10 plaster samples. Check our website for prices and further details.

At London Damp Specialists, our certified surveyors use cutting-edge digital tools such as damp meters, borescope cameras, thermal imagery, drone inspections and hygrometers, which enable the inspector to perform accurate assessments. We offer numerous levels of survey to offer the customer choices.

There can be numerous causes of a condensation buildup in a building; lack of ventilation, penetrating damp and even things like drying damp garments inside the home. The best solution is to book a survey from London Damp Specialists and let the experts take a look; they can recommend the best treatment going forward and solve the problem once and for all.

There are numerous prevention strategies homeowners can use to reduce or prevent condensation; these include generating adequate ventilation within the home by opening windows, using a dehumidifier to dry out the air and periodically heating every room in the house. Other methods include installing extractor fans in specific locations, which can generate a continuous airflow and make sure that you keep the bathroom door closed when running a hot bath or taking a shower, while opening a window to allow moisture to exit. Do not dry damp garments in the home and make sure you turn on the canopy extractor fan when cooking in the kitchen.

There are two main methods used to damp-proof a basement; the first is called basement tanking, which involves removing all damaged plaster, preparing the substrate and applying a waterproof plaster, with several coats applied after each has thoroughly dried. The second method is called a cavity drainage system that entails fitting a studded membrane on ceilings and walls to create a cavity and water runs down to channels in the floor, where is is pumped from a sump area to designated drainage points. The latter is used when there is a high level of moisture and when done correctly, it keeps the interior dry at all times.

You could ask a local roofer to inspect the roof, or better still, book a damp survey with London Damp Specialists. We will inspect the entire building, including a thorough inspection of the roof, interior and exterior. We use state-of-the-art digital equipment to check the loft for damp and mould issues and you receive a detailed report in your inbox the following day.

Woodworm is a very destructive insect and there are two species that are commonly found in the UK; namely, the Death Watch Beetle and the Common Furniture Beetle and the best treatment depends on several factors, which are the species and the degree of infestation. Contact London Damp Specialists and book a damp survey to find out what the best form of treatment would be. Our PCA-certified surveyors have a lot of experience in identifying and treating all forms of woodworm.

If a property has damp issues, time is of the essence, as moisture causes damage as soon as it comes in contact with materials. From a convenience standpoint, the summer is an ideal time to carry out damp-proofing work, yet such work can be done at any time of the year. Most homeowners wish to go ahead with remedial work as soon as it can be arranged and we work closely with the best damp-proofing contractor in London and they are always happy to schedule work as soon as possible. Our surveyors are happy to work weekends if it is not possible to survey on a regular day, we are prepared to fit in with the customer’s schedule.

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.

If you own a home that is constructed of wood, then it is definitely at high risk from London’s chronically wet weather conditions. The never-ending damp takes a toll on all of the city’s buildings, but timber is always sure to suffer the most. The most common damp-related problems that attack wooden structures are dry rot and wet rot, so let’s learn more about what they are and how they can cause untold damage to your home!

At London Damp Specialists, we offer three levels of independent damp survey, which are designed to give property owners choices. The level 1 survey involves a detailed inspection of all external walls and interior walls, ceilings and floors, looking for tell-tale signs of damp, mould and timber rot. The level 2 survey includes level 1 actions, plus a thorough examination of roof joists and rafters and floors, looking for timber rot and woodworm. Finally, the level 3 survey has all actions from 1 & 2, plus the use of thermal imagery, humidity testing, borescope camera, ventilation flow test and drone imagery. Prices can be found on the independent damp survey page.

When we carry out a damp survey in a London property, we only need unrestricted access; you do not need to move any furniture or put down any protective sheeting. We can even complete the survey if the property is unoccupied; some people have to work; they can leave the keys with a trusted neighbour and we return the keys when we have completed the inspection. We go out of our way to fit in with your schedule and if we have unrestricted access, that is all we require.

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.

London Damp Specialists carry out surveys in all London Boroughs, including Fulham, Kensington, Hammersmith, Camden, Chelsea and all areas within the M25. If you would like to book a damp survey for your London home, call us on 0207 205 4886 or complete the online survey booking form and we can arrange for a surveyor to contact you directly.

Both wet and dry rot attack timber and they require different treatments; tell-tale signs of wet rot include a spongy feel to the timber, a musky smell in the space, discolouration and cracking of the wood. Dry rot, on the other hand, is usually accompanied by a damp smell, brittle, dried-out look that is often accompanied by a creamy white mould growth. When we survey a London property, our surveyor would recommend the best treatment to eliminate wet and dry rot.

Penetrating damp can attack a building from the roof or exterior walls; any leak will lead to moisture penetrating the walls and attacking the interior structure. Tell-tale signs include moss growth on exterior walls, peeling wallpaper, bubbling paint and a damp, musky smell in the house. Other signs include mould growth on interior walls and condensation on windows and walls. If you notice any of these signs, you should contact us on 0207 205 4886 or complete the online survey booking form on this website.

There are numerous signs to look for; moss growth on masonry and brickwork, crumbling mortar and stone discolouration. You should also inspect the mastic lines between timber window and door frames and brickwork, as damp can enter if this material is compromised.

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.

The short answer is yes. Terraced houses are connected and if damp gets into one house, there is nothing to stop it from creeping into the house next door. Indeed, this is a common issue with terraced houses in London and when we carry out a damp survey, we often source the moisture to an adjoining property. Of course, you should inform your neighbour and we can do a survey on their property.

Considering London’s penchant for cold, wet weather, it shouldn’t be too surprising to find that around one-third of all London homes suffer from damp-related issues. The problem is that it can be difficult to know for sure if a home is in trouble because the owner might not have sufficient knowledge of the causes and effects of the excess moisture. It’s all too often the case that a home may be suffering from serious damp problems that the occupants are unaware of!

The short answer is yes. Providing that you give us sufficient notice of the postponement, we are happy to facilitate the postponement if we can fit it in with our schedule. If you wish to have your London home surveyed quickly, we can usually accommodate a customer within 48 hours of receiving the request.

The short answer is yes. At London Damp Specialists, we have a working relationship with a leading UK insurer that offers London homeowners cover for damp and mould damage. Your regular house insurance might cover damage to the property, but it is unlikely that would include damp-proofing work, which is why you should take out special cover. We recommend reading your home insurance policy, especially the small print, which should state precise what you are covered for and what you are not.

We would prefer to inspect the entire property, as damp can manifest in any part of a building; if there is a part of the house where you suspect damp or mould is present, we can focus on this, while also checking all other areas of the building. If we do not inspect the whole property, we cannot be sure that damp or mould is not present. We offer 3 levels of damp survey, which gives our customers choices.

If the customer requests that we only inspect the basement, we can obviously comply with the request, however, moisture could be present due to issues in other parts of the building. If our surveyor feels that they should inspect other areas of the property, this is what they would request. If you have recently had the building surveyed for damp and nothing was found, this is enough evidence to show that only the basement should be inspected. We are always customer-focused and will do what we can to offer the best services we can.

If, for any reason, you need to leave home at midday, it is possible for our surveyor to be at your home very early and this would allow them to finish the survey at or around midday. Whatever your needs, we always do what we can to fit in with your schedule, as we are a customer-focused organisation.

When we survey a London property, we recommend remedial work, should it be required and if you have some building experience and have all the tools you need, there is no reason why you cannot undertake the work. It should be noted that you have no guarantee when you do the work yourself, so you must make sure that the work is done to a high standard. There is a lot of information online to help you in this regard.

The short answer is yes. Damp conditions enable mould to thrive and the following groups are mostly at risk; babies and young children, the elderly, those who suffer from eczema, people with compromised immune systems and people who have a history of respiratory disease. Mould produces allergens, which are compounds that can cause an allergic reaction if inhaled or even touched and this can lead to skin irritation, red eyes, sneezing and runny nose.