The Tools & Equipment Damp Surveyors Use on London Homes

At London Damp Specialists, we have been inspecting London properties for many years and our surveyors use cutting-edge tools and equipment to assist them in accurately assessing buildings for damp, mould and timber rot.
Here is some information about these devices.

• Damp meter – There are two different types of damp meter, pinned and pinless. The pinned variety is used to measure the moisture content inside timber and plaster, while the pinless type measures moisture on surfaces. Many homeowners have one of these in their toolkit, as it helps by measuring moisture accurately; you can order a unit from an online supplier and use it whenever you think damp might be present.
• Borescope camera – This handy device can give the surveyor a close-up view of dark corners and hard-to-reach places. It can capture high-resolution images to show the customer and this is one device the surveyor would not be without. Under floor boards can easily be inspected using this device, as can dark corners of the loft.
• Humidity Meter – Known as a hygrometer, this device gives an RH (Relative Humidity) reading on a digital screen, which helps the inspector to source areas with high humidity. This is one of the first devices a surveyor would use and it reveals areas that require further investigation.
• Infrared camera – Thermal imagery tells the surveyor where cooler areas are and that is where damp would typically be found. Warm areas are red and the cooler areas are blue; simply point the camera and the screen indicates thermal temperature. The device is also used to check after damp-proofing has been carried out.
• Drone inspections – The roof is difficult to inspect, which is why damp surveyors make good use of drone technology to inspect every square inch of a roof, looking for missing roof shingles and blocked guttering. Images can be taken and included in the damp survey report to show the client where the issues are.
• Telescopic arm – A camera is attached to one end and the inspector can get a good look at above-head height areas. This can be used to look at guttering sections and the dark corners in the loft and has a small spotlight for looking into dark sections.
• Ventilation flow tester – A digital device with a rotating fan that accurately measures airflow; by taking readings in various parts of the house, the surveyor can get an accurate picture of overall ventilation.

If you are soon to make an offer on a London property, why not make 100% sure that the building is damp and mould free? Such a big investment demands that you do what you can to ensure the structure is sound and that there are no damp or mould issues.

Call London Damp Specialists on 020 7205 4886 or fill in the survey booking form on this website and one of our qualified independent damp surveyors will inspect the property and you receive a detailed report the following day.