Independent Damp Surveys in London

We focus on looking for the following:

• Rising damp – Ground moisture rises up the walls, usually due to damaged DPC.
• Penetrating damp – Moisture enters the building via the roof or exterior walls.
• Condensation – Droplets of water form on hard surfaces
• Wet and dry rot – Destructive fungi that eat away at timber, both thrive in humid conditions.
• Woodworm – Two types of beetle are found in London, which burrow tiny holes in wood and when the eggs hatch, the larvae consume wood pulp.
• Basement tanking – Below-ground living space is at high risk of rising damp and mould; our surveyors are trained to inspect every square inch of a basement to give an accurate assessment. It is crucial to trace the origin of the damp, which leads to the correct damp-proofing. We have connections with an established company that offers basement water-proofing in London.

We provide independent damp surveys for London homeowners and we have a working relationship with top damp-proofing specialists; should your London home require damp-proofing.

Areas in London we cover include Fulham, Chelsea, Kensington, Camden, Wimbledon, Dulwich and Islington; all areas within the M25 come under our umbrella.

Digital Equipment We Use

Our independent damp surveyors are CSRT & CSSW certified and they use a wide range of tools and equipment.

• Damp meter – This handy device comes in pinned and pinless types; the pins are inserted into building materials such as timber, plaster and render. Our surveyors use both types to accurately measure moisture levels throughout the property; the pinless version measures moisture on surfaces. It is crucial to be able to measure and identify moisture and damp meters are essential to quickly establish humidity levels.
• Infrared camera – Thermal imaging helps the surveyor get an overall picture of humidity levels; simply point the lens and objects on the screen are coloured, with red warmer and blue cooler. If the surveyor gets a blue reading around a window frame, this suggests penetrating damp and the inspector can investigate further to determine the origins of the moisture.
• Drone images and video – The roof is generally inaccessible and rather than climb onto the roof, the surveyor flies their drone around the entire structure, taking images and footage if issues are discovered. Every square metre of the roof is inspected and notes are recorded. The fascia and soffit boards, guttering and chimney flashing can all be checked using a small drone.
• Ventilation flow test – Ventilation is important to keep the interior dry and our surveyors use a hand-held digital device with a small rotary fan that measures air movement. Measuring at various locations gives the surveyor an accurate air flow measurement and recommendations can be made to boost ventilation within a London property.
• Borescope camera – A pinhole camera with a small spotlight is a great tool to inspect dark corners and hard-to-reach places, where mould and timber rot thrive. Used to inspect under floors and throughout attics and cellars. No surveyor would leave home without this handy device, which saves time and is very thorough.
• Hygrometer – A digital device to measure air moisture, with a few features that provide the surveyor with additional data. Measuring the humidity tells the surveyor where damp and mould are likely to be present and this is one of the first pieces of equipment to come out of the bag.