Why London Homes Are Under Threat From Rising Damp
Rising damp is a very destructive thing for buildings in London and indeed all over the UK. London. In particular, London has a water retention problem due to the large clay base called the Thames Valley Basin and in this short article, we take an in-depth look at why rising damp is enemy number one for London homeowners.
Ground Moisture
Low-lying areas of London have a real problem with rising damp, which is moisture coming up from the ground; houses typically have a damp proof course installed between the first few brickwork courses; older homes have a bitumen-based strip that acts as a barrier to prevent moisture from climbing a building. If the DPC is damaged in any way, this allows moisture to cross that barrier and unless addressed, rising damp will continue to attack a building.
Defective DPC
The damp proof course is the only line of defence against rising damp and in older properties, the DPC can easily be damaged by ground subsidence. Another situation that can render DPC useless is building above the DPC line; some homeowners add a retaining wall, not realising that they are creating a bridge for damp to pass the moisture barrier. We sometimes encounter this and once the bridge is removed, the DPC barrier is again effective.
Chemical DPC
If an old London property has damaged DPC, it is often the best solution to inject a chemical foam that creates a new barrier, rather than trying to repair the existing DPC. Homes with cavity walls are best suited for chemical DPC injection, which not only prevents rising damp, but also brings thermal insulation.
Independent Damp Survey
At London Damp Specialists, we specialise in carrying out independent damp surveys for London homeowners; if rising damp is present in your home, we will find it and we have a close working relationship with one of the top damp-proofing companies in London, an organisation that guarantees their damp-proofing work for a full 30 years.
Above Average Rainfall
This is a major reason why more London properties are under threat of rising damp; we always seem to get the rough end of the stick when it comes to weather and bouts of heavy rain leave the ground with a high level of moisture retention. When ground has very poor drainage, this is a cause of rising damp and if a building has a defective DPC installed, moisture will rise up the structure and the result is a lot of damage. Add to that a lack of sunshine and many London buildings are in real danger of being attacked by ground moisture rising up walls.
If you suspect that rising damp is present in your home, call London Damp Specialists on 020 7205 4886 and book an independent damp survey to get a definitive answer to whether or not rising damp affects your home.
Damp Survey Costs
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for our independent, unbiased surveys.
Level 1
What’s included:
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 2
What’s included:
- Everything in Level 1
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 3 (Most Popular)
What’s included:
- Thermal Imaging
- Air humidity testing
- HD boroscope camera
- Brickwork pointing inspection
- DPC inspection
- Ventilation flow test on extractor fans
- 4K drone imagery roof, chimney stack
and guttering inspection - Structural condition inspection
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Survey Add Ons
Add On 1
Laboratory analysis Of plaster identifies hygroscopic salts such as chlorides and nitrates. which indicate whether damp is caused by rising groundwater or by plumbing leaks, This testing removes guesswork, allowing the exact source of moisture to be identified so the correct treatment is applied rather than carrying out unnecessary damp-proofing work.
Add On 2
qPCR DNA mould testing detects microscopic mould spores that are invisible during a normal inspection and van remain hidden behind walls, floors. or inside building rkaterials. It identifies the exact mould species present and the contamination level, allowing hidden mould problems to be confirrned and properly treated before they affect the property or occupants’ health.
Qualifications: All our surveyors are PCA and CSRT qualified for remedial treatments and also CSSW qualified for structural waterproofing.
Next day report: You will receive the report within 24 hours of the inspection taking place.
These are the tools we use
Damp Meter
A damp meter is a diagnostic tool used to detect and measure moisture levels within building materials such as plaster, brick, timber, and concrete.
Borescope camera
borescope camera is a small inspection camera attached to a flexible semi-rigid cable that allows you to see inside areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
Drone Inspection
A drone is a remotely operated aerial device equipped with a camera that allows visual inspection from above without the need for scaffolding or ladder.
Air Humidity Sensor
Air humidity sensor measures the amount of moisture present in the air, expressed as relative humidity (RH) in percentage. It helps determine whether indoor conditions are contributing to condensation, mould growth, or damp-related issues.
Thermal Imaging Camera
A thermal imaging camera detects temperature differences on surfaces by using infrared technology to produce a heat map image. In damp investigations, it helps identify cold spots, moisture intrusion, insulation defects, thermal bridging and leaks.
Air Flow Ventilation Detector
An air flow ventilation detector measures the movement and volume of air passing through vents, extractor fans, and air bricks. It confirms whether ventilation systems are working properly and achieving adequate air changes within a room. Poor airflow leads to trapped moisture, high humidity, condensation on cold surfaces, and ultimately mould growth.
Mould Lab Swab Testing
A mould swab test is carried out to confirm the presence of hidden mould growth and identify the specific species involved. Surface mould is not always visible, especially behind furniture, inside cavities, or within ventilation systems. Laboratory analysis of a swab sample determines whether active mould spores are present and what type they are, which helps assess potential health risks and decide the correct remediation approach rather than relying on visual assumption alone.
Lab Analysis of Plaster
Laboratory analysis of plaster is used to identify the type of salts present within the material, typically chlorides and nitrates. The presence and concentration of these salts help determine whether the moisture source is consistent with rising damp, ground contamination, or another forms [sic] of water ingress. such as mains water leak, This removes guesswork and prevents misdiagnosis, ensuring the correct remedial treatment is specified rather than applying unnecessary or ineffective solutions.
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