The Best Ways to Treat Damp and Mould in London Properties

London is situated on the Thames Valley Basin, which is clay-based and retains water, causing rising damp to attack many houses. Those who are planning to buy a London property would be wise to engage the services of an independent damp survey company, as this is the only way to be sure that the building is damp-free.
In this short article, we take a look at the most effective methods to manage damp and mould in London homes.

Damp Proof Course

Every building in London would have a DPC installed between lower brick courses, which forms a barrier to ground moisture to prevent damp rising up the exterior walls. Made from bitumen, the DPC can be damaged and should that occur, moisture can find a way up the walls and will eventually penetrate to the interior. Building an extension without regard for the DPC can lead to moisture rising up the walls and this is often a cause of damp issues in a London property.

Chemical Damp Proofing

Cavity walls can be injected with a waterproof foam that forms a barrier similar to the regular types of DPC, which is often the best solution. When we carry out an independent damp survey, we often recommend a chemical DPC, which also acts as thermal insulation and that can prevent condensation. 

Waterproof Plaster and Render

There are top-quality products that provide a watertight seal when applied to walls; after removing damp plaster, the substrate needs to be properly cleaned before the watertight product is applied. After this has dried fully, another coat can be applied and finally, a skim of plaster, which should solve the damp issue.

Basement Tanking

There are providers of basement waterproofing in London and when they carry out a project, they guarantee the work for 30 years. There are two main basement waterproofing solutions, the first is the use of water-resistant plaster and render and the second is called a cavity drainage system, which is used when the basement is surrounded by wet ground. The treatment involves removing all furniture and items, then removing damp plaster and preparing the substrate for a studded membrane sheet that is firmly affixed to the walls and ceilings. Water runs down into underfloor channels and then it is pumped to drainage points. This effectively seals off the interior from the exterior, plus the system does not require much in the way of maintenance.

Independent Damp Survey

The best way to find out if a property has damp issues is to book an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists; our certified damp surveyors use cutting-edge equipment to accurately determine the status of the building. We understand that our customers are looking for rapid results and we can usually carry out the survey within a few days of the booking.

If you are looking to acquire a London property, book an independent damp survey by calling us on 020 7205 4886 or complete the form on this website.