Why a Professional Damp Survey is Required When Buying London Real Estate

Bricks and mortar investments are very valuable, especially in the UK capital, the most expensive area in the country and if you are planning to buy a property in London, you need to carry out a thorough damp inspection. The Southeast region sits on a bed of clay and that means a high rate of moisture retention, a major cause of rising damp, which can be very destructive if not treated in good time.

Damp concealment

It is not difficult to mask damp damage; a few coats of paint and maybe a skim of plaster is all it takes to hide the tell-tale signs. It has been known for a property owner to discover the building has damp issues after the purchase and this can cost thousands to repair. Only a keen eye would spot damp concealment and the average person does not know where to look, which is why many potential buyers contact London Damp Specialists to arrange an independent damp survey.

Structural damage can occur

If a property is left unoccupied and develops damp issues, this could damage the building, impacting the structural integrity and repairs could run into the 1000s of pounds. Joists and rafters succumb to excess damp and wet or dry rot can attack timber structures, eventually leading to replacement.

Levels of damp survey

We offer 3 levels of independent damp survey, which are as follows:

• Level 1 – Detailed inspection of floors, ceilings and walls, looking for signs of damp and mould.
• Level 2 – All of level 1, plus a close inspection of all roof timbers, window and door frames, looking for damp, mould and timber rot.
• Level 3 – Levels 1 & 2 along with a ventilation flow test, thermal imagery, drone imagery and an inspection with a borescope camera. We look for signs of woodworm, wet and dry rot in all timber structures.
• We offer an additional service to lab test up to 10 plaster samples from various parts of the house. This is a definitive way to prove moisture content.

Peace of mind

Investing in a London property demands that you first ensure the building is free from damp and mould; the best way to do this is to arrange for a professional damp surveyor from London Damp Specialists to visit your home and carry out a thorough examination of the structure. A damp survey typically takes 3-4 hours with a family-sized home and the customer receives a detailed report in their inbox the following day. If remedial work is needed, we can put you in touch with a leading damp-proofing company that issues a 30-year warranty on all damp-proofing work.

The UK climate is wet, and with rainfall figures rising, this means damp and mould are a very real threat to all London properties.

The best time to book an independent damp survey is just before the cold weather arrives; you can call London Damp Specialists on 020 7523 5882 or complete the online form on this website.