How an Independent Damp Survey in London Could Save You Thousands of Pounds

If you are planning to buy real estate in London, you are looking at a huge investment and it makes total sense to have the property surveyed for damp before you sign on the dotted line. Damage caused by damp can easily be concealed and the average person might not notice anything wrong, as there might not be any visible signs, yet eventually, it will become apparent that serious repairs are needed.

Rising Damp

This is moisture that rises up from the ground, damaging masonry, render and plaster as it creeps through building materials. Every structure should have a damp-proof course, which is a membrane that is sandwiched between the first two brick courses and the DPC provides a barrier to stop moisture from impacting the building. In the event the DPC is damaged, there would be no external signs to make the homeowner aware and as time passes, damp gradually climbs the walls, damaging plaster and timber. One solution is to inject a chemical foam into the wall cavities, which creates an impenetrable barrier against damp.

Woodworm

This tiny insect can cause considerable damage to timber sections in a house, especially in the loft, where the joists and rafters are located. The worst-case scenario is that you go ahead with the house purchase, only to discover later that damp has caused damage that will cost thousands of pounds to repair. This nightmare scenario can easily be avoided by arranging for an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists.

Pre-Purchase Damp Survey

This survey is designed for those who wish to buy a property and would like an accurate assessment of damp, mould and timber rot. In the event there are damp issues, you can negotiate with the seller or insist that damp-proofing work is carried out. It is very easy to conceal damp, all it takes is a skim of plaster and a coat of paint and unless you are knowledgeable about construction, you would not notice the signs.

3 Levels of Damp Survey

We offer 3 different levels of independent damp surveys, which are as follows:

• Level 1 damp survey – A thorough inspection of exterior and interior walls, looking for signs of moisture penetration.
• Level 2 damp survey – All in level 1, with the addition of an inspection of all timber sections in the house.
• Level 3 damp survey – All of levels 1 & 2, plus the use of thermal imagery, relative humidity test, ventilation flow test, borescope camera and the use of drone imagery.

Additional Tests

For an additional fee, we can analyse up to 10 plaster samples in a lab, accurately measuring the moisture content for a definitive answer.

Buying real estate involves making a significant investment and if you plan to make an offer on a London property, make sure you book an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists; call us on 020 7205 4886 or complete the booking form on this website and get a professional assessment of damp, mould and timber rot.