If you are planning to buy a home in London, it is obviously a huge investment and one that demands a homebuyers damp survey. This is the only way that you can be absolutely sure that the property is free from damp, mould and timber rot; when we survey a property, the customer receives a detailed damp report in their inbox the following day. Using state-of-the-art equipment to accurately assess buildings for damp, mould and timber decay, so give us a call before you exchange contracts and have the peace of mind, knowing the property is damp-free.
Sadly, there are properties in London that have damp issues, which are concealed with a skim of plaster or a few coats of paint and the average person would not notice this. If you go ahead and purchase a London property without an independent damp survey, you run the risk of a very large repair bill if damp is present.
Levels of Independent Damp Survey
We offer three levels of independent Damp Survey, which are as follows:
- Level 1 Damp Survey – A thorough inspection of exterior and interior walls, floors, and ceilings to identify tell-tale signs of rising or penetrating damp. The survey includes damp detection and inspection of all walls and floors, as well as leak inspection of drains and water pipes to locate possible sources of moisture. Designed for buyers and sellers, it determines the presence of damp, mould, and timber rot. £199 + VAT.
- Level 2 Damp Survey – Everything included in Level 1 plus a closer examination of structural components such as joists, rafters, window frames and door frames. The surveyor also carries out a detailed dry/wet rot and woodworm inspection to identify any timber decay. If issues are found, we can recommend a trusted London damp-proofing contractor to carry out the required work. £299 + VAT.
- Level 3 Damp Survey – Our most comprehensive survey. Level 3 includes everything from Levels 1 and 2 plus an advanced set of diagnostic tests. This survey uses thermal imaging and air humidity testing to identify hidden moisture issues, along with an HD borescope camera for checking loft spaces, cavities and other hard-to-reach areas. We also carry out a full brickwork pointing inspection, DPC inspection, and a ventilation flow test on extractor fans to assess airflow and mould risk. For external parts of the property, we include 4K drone imagery to inspect the roof, chimney stack and guttering safely and in high detail. All Level 3 surveys are non-invasive and cause no damage to the property. £399 + VAT.
- Plaster Analysis – An additional service we offer is up to 10 samples of interior plaster, which we test for moisture content to give you a definitive assessment. This is the best way to accurately measure moisture content within walls; results come through quickly and are part of a detailed report that would include images and maybe video. £299 + VAT.
- Mould Lab Swab Testing – We offer professional qPCR mould swab testing, which analyses DNA from a surface swab to detect and quantify specific types of mould present within the property (up to 100 square metres). This laboratory-grade test provides highly accurate results and is ideal for confirming the presence and severity of mould growth. £299 + VAT.
If you are not sure which survey is right for your home, call London Damp Specialists on 020 8528 3277 or complete the survey booking form on this site. We can arrange for a survey to be carried out within a few days of the survey request and you will receive a detailed report the following day.
State-of-the-Art Tools Our Surveyors Use
Our PCA-certified damp surveyors use the following when surveying buildings for damp, mould and timber rot.
- Damp Meter – A multipurpose device, the damp meter can accurately measure moisture content within materials and on surfaces. This piece of equipment can identify damp areas, pinpoint the source of damp and to check whether an area is drying out over a period of time. The pinned variety is used to measure moisture content within materials such as timber, mortar and plaster, while the pinless version measures moisture on surfaces.
- Infrared Camera – Thermal imagery helps the surveyor to quickly identify potential areas where damp may be present. The device creates a visual interpretation of temperature differences, with red being warm and blue representing cooler surfaces. This type of camera can be used for close analysis of masonry and it is a vital piece of kit for every damp surveyor.
- Hygrometer – This is a device that measures the amount of humidity in the air; a digital readout tells the surveyor the RH reading (Relative Humidity) and this helps the surveyor to get an overall picture of humidity and whether mould might be present. Most surveyors would have two humidity testers, one as a back up in case of a malfunction.
- Colour Borescope Camera – An essential device that is used to inspect hard-to-reach places and dark corners of the loft, where damp and mould might be present. This piece of equipment is ideal for looking inside cavity walls and also under floorboards. The pinhole camera can also detect leaks and check for timber rot in the loft.
- Ventilation Flow Test – A positive airflow prevents moisture in the air and when we carry out a survey, the inspector uses this device to get an accurate measurement of airflow. Taking readings throughout the building gives the surveyor an overall assessment of ventilation and the inspector may recommend installing extractor fans at specific locations in the house.
- Drone Imagery – The roof is largely inaccessible, which is why the surveyor uses a small drone to get a close-up of all areas, including guttering, roof tiles, around chimney stacks and along the fascia boards. The drone is also used to inspect exterior walls and anything above head height.
Plaster Analysis
We offer an additional service where we test up to 10 samples of plaster for moisture content.
Customer Testimonials
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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