How an Independent Damp Surveyor Can Protect Home Buyers

When you buy a home, you’re making a financial decision that could have a life-changing impact. If you want it to be a positive one, it’s crucial to make sure your new home is in great condition before moving ahead. That means making sure it’s free of structural and health risks like damp, which is very common in London. Read on to learn how an independent damp surveyor helps during the home-buying process.

The Role of an Independent Damp Surveyor

A damp surveyor is a specialist who inspects properties for signs of damp and produces a report of any issues they find. To do this, they use diagnostic tools like moisture metres and thermal imaging cameras, and they’ll review things like a property’s ventilation, insulation and construction methods. An independent one is simply one who does this without also selling damp treatments. This ensures that there’s no conflict of interest.

What an Independent Damp Survey Includes

While an ordinary home survey will include some basic checks for surface signs of damp, and independent damp survey is much more comprehensive. The surveyor will inspect the property carefully, looking for the causes of the three main types of damp: rising, penetrating and condensation. That means checking for things like a defective damp-proof course, broken gutters, damaged roof tiles and more. They’ll also assess the severity of any damp-related damage.

How a Pre-Purchase Damp Survey Helps Homebuyers

It’s sensible to commission a damp survey before buying a property. A pre-purchase damp survey is one that takes place before contracts are exchanged, meaning if problems are found, you can renegotiate or walk away. If there’s nothing to report, you can proceed with confidence. Below, we discuss the two main types of benefits that a damp survey offers home buyers: financial benefits and health benefits.

The Financial Benefits of Damp Surveys

Buying a home is a costly process, and on the surface hiring an independent damp surveyor can seem like an unnecessary expense. But damp is a very common problem in London, and it can be one of the most expensive to treat when it’s not combated early. The work can also cause a lot of disruption, especially if replastering is required or a new damp-proof course needs installing. A survey could save thousands.

The Health Benefits of Damp Surveys

Damp in your property won’t just affect your wallet. It will also take a toll on the health of you and your family. It leads to mould, which releases spores into the air that cause respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis, especially in children, the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions. Independent damp surveys prevent people from unknowingly exposing themselves to these risks and provide advice on how to prevent future issues.

Conclusion

Getting a professional damp survey before buying a home helps protect both your financial interests and your health. As with insurance, it is worth paying for the peace of mind, even if no problems are found. To speak to an independent damp surveyor today, call us at London Damp Specialists on 020 7523 5882.