FAQs

The short answer is yes. The DPC membrane in older London properties is a thick layer of bitumen that acts as a moisture barrier and this can be damaged by ground movement or the DPC can degenerate over time, allowing damp to cross the barrier. Another solution is to inject a chemical DPC, which is a very effective way to prevent damp from entering the interior.

No, we do not require any assistance from the occupants, all we need is access to all areas of the building. Our surveyors have all the necessary equipment to undertake the inspection; state-of-the-art digital equipment makes the surveyor’s job a lot easier. If you have to be at work, as long as we can access the property, the survey can be completed. All of our employees are screened and are very focused on leaving a space as they found it.

At London Damp Specialists, we offer a range of damp surveys carried out by certified damp specialists, however, we do not carry out damp-proofing work. We do work closely with a reputable damp-proofing company that covers all areas of London and they offer a 30-year work guarantee.

No, we do not ask for any money up front. We complete the survey, send you the report, along with an invoice. Simply give us a call on 020 7523 5882 or complete the online booking form and one of our team will be in touch.

The short answer is yes. We strive to complete every project according to projected timelines and if that means working outside of regular hours in order to finish an assignment, that is what we do.

London Damp Specialists have £5 million of public liability cover, which is more than enough to cover any eventuality. We are dedicated to providing accurate surveys for London homeowners and we meet all government and industry standards.

In certain situations, condensation will occur; running a hot bath, for example, will leave water droplets on all hard surfaces and you should keep the bathroom door closed and open a window to allow the moist air to escape. The same applies when cooking, always turn on the canopy extractor fan and open a window or two; avoid drying clothes indoors, as the moisture is transferred to the air. Generating a positive airflow throughout the house is an effective way to remove moisture in the air; we carry out a ventilation flow test when surveying a London home, which gives an accurate assessment of airflow throughout the building.

All we require is unrestricted access to the property in order for the surveyor to carry out their work. You are not required to move any furniture and the damp inspector has all the equipment they need to complete the survey without causing the customer inconvenience.

We offer 3 levels of independent damp surveys, ranging from £199 + VAT to £399 + VAT for a comprehensive inspection with thermal and drone imagery. The different levels cater for all needs; we do a homebuyers survey to ensure there are no hidden damp issues and you receive a detailed report in your inbox the following day. We also provide lab testing for plaster, where we analyse up to 10 plaster samples from selected rooms in the house at a cost of £399 + VAT.

We often schedule a damp survey within 24 hours of receiving the booking. If there is an emergency, such as a flood, we will do our very best to facilitate a fast inspection and can assist with sourcing a damp-proofing team.

These two terms are often mixed up. Rising damp comes from the ground, if moisture enters a building from the roof or external walls, it is known as penetrating damp. Both are equally destructive and you can waste money if the damp is misdiagnosed.

Of course, our surveyors are friendly and approachable, so they would be happy to advise you on any aspect of construction. If, for example, you are planning an extension at the back of the property and you are concerned about drainage, the surveyor can give you advice on all aspects of the project.

Yes, as long as the owner consents, the survey can be carried out. All we require is unrestricted access to the building. Some of our customers are abroad and arrange for the property management company to allow us access to their rental property. A tenant might complain about damp, in which case, the landlord would arrange an independent damp survey to determine the extent of the problem.

If you are planning an extended trip and you would like the survey done in a few weeks/months, this is not an issue. All we need is unrestricted access to the property for a few hours to complete the inspection and you receive a detailed report the next day. We aim to fit in with your timeline and if you wish to postpone the survey for any reason, that is not a problem.

Take a row of terraced Victorian houses; if one has an issue with the DPC and damp comes up the walls, this can eventually impact next door. If you have all the signs of rising damp, yet the DPC is intact, it might be that the source is next door, which needs investigating. Building an extension can remove the DPC barrier, if the build is above the DPC course.

Let’s say you are interested in a London property; contact the seller and ask if you can have a surveyor inspect the building for damp. They are very likely to agree and we only need access for a few hours to complete the survey. There are times when tenants request a survey, with the permission of the landlord, of course. The seller might have had the property surveyed prior to listing, in which case, this negates the need for a damp survey, provided the surveyor is certified. As a contractor, we need permission from the property owner to do an inspection; it is not necessary for anyone to be present, the inspection is non-invasive and takes a couple of hours.

Many of our customers are tied to their place of work and if you have a trusted neighbour, we are happy to approach them and identify ourselves. Of course, the keys are returned on our departure and you receive the survey report in your inbox the next day.

Our fully qualified damp surveyors are happy to fit in with the customer’s schedule and if that means working on a national holiday, so be it. We aim to provide an excellent service and finding damp is what we do best.

The short answer is yes; we understand that people work and have busy lives and we aim to fit in with your schedule. Once you make contact with the surveyor, you can agree on a date and time and upon completion, you receive a detailed report in your inbox, usually within 24 hours.

We cover all London Boroughs and every area within the M25; busy areas include Kensington, Chelsea, Westminster, Soho and Camden. Pre-war terraced houses are susceptible to rising damp and prior to making an offer on such a property would demand a full independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists.

Yes, if remedial work is required, we are happy to give you a ballpark figure, what’s more, we can put you in touch with the best damp-proofing company in London. They would inspect the site and provide an on-the-spot quote and they issue a 30-year guarantee with all damp-proofing treatment. If you would like to book an independent damp survey, call us or simply leave a message on the website and we will arrange to inspect your home for signs of damp, mould and timber rot.

The surveyor only needs unrestricted access to all areas of the building, a neighbour could let the damp specialist in and we would lock up and return the keys when done. We aim to minimise the inconvenience caused when we inspect for damp and mould, however, we must be thorough in our search.

At London Damp Specialists, we focus on independent damp surveys, however, we do have a close working relationship with London’s top damp-proofing contractor that issues a comprehensive 30-year guarantee on all damp-proofing work. If you would like to have your basement surveyed for damp, contact London Damp Specialists and we will arrange for one of our certified damp surveyors to inspect your home, including the basement.

Yes, for an additional cost, we test up to 10 samples of plaster from different parts of the house, you can find details about this on our homepage. This is definitive proof of moisture content and the results are obtained in good time.

Clear the room of furniture, lay down a protective sheet and start at the top, using a small chisel/scraper to remove damaged plaster. Once the damaged plaster is removed, clean the wall in readiness for a coat of waterproof render and when this has dried, apply a second coat followed by a skim of plaster. It is critical to pinpoint the source of the damp and resolve this before you remove and replaster. We can recommend a reputable damp-proofing contractor to carry out the work and they give a 30-year guarantee on their work.

A damp patch requires all damaged plaster to be removed; prior to that, you need to pinpoint the source of the moisture and do some remedial work. Then remove all damaged plaster, clean the substrate and apply a coat of waterproof plaster. When this is fully dry, add another coat and finally, a skim of plaster to finish.

London Damp Specialists was founded in 1981; the family-run business has been serving the London community with accurate damp surveys and providing quotes for damp-proofing work. We are an established organisation with the resources and know-how to inspect London homes, looking for signs of damp, mould and timber rot. Read a few of the testimonials and you can rest assured of the very best in terms of service, as we have an excellent reputation within the industry.

Of course, the roof is the most important component of every building; it must endure the harsh climate and without regular inspections, serious damage can occur, especially the internal timber roof structure. Our independent survey includes a detailed roof inspection, which is done using a drone. This should be an annual thing and take note of what you can see of the roof; if there are overhanging trees, the guttering can be easily blocked and this is a major cause of penetrating damp.

Once we have surveyed a property and damp-proofing is required, we recommend a reputable damp-proofing contractor that issues a 30-year warranty on all work. They understand the urgency and would fit you into their schedule as soon as possible. Emergency situations crop up and everyone involved does their best to get the job done before more damage is caused.

The short answer is yes. Injectable insulation foam helps keep energy costs down, while also preventing the forming of condensation when cold meets warm. This can also be an effective damp proof course (DPC) to prevent moisture rising from the ground; we often recommend this treatment in London homes and we work closely with a top contractor that services all areas of London.

This could be due to a leaking pipe, or it might be damp penetrating the external walls; the only way to know for sure is to call London Damp Specialists and let the damp experts do their stuff. Once the source is confirmed, a treatment is recommended using waterproof plaster, adding several coats, allowing each to dry fully.

This is an indication that condensation is the cause; the warm summer months do not cause extreme temperature variables, but when it gets to below zero, when warm surfaces meet cold, water droplets form, typically on the inside of windows and walls; this excess moisture causes mould and we would recommend thermal insulation, double-glazed windows and doors and a cavity wall foam insulation would go a long way to eradicating condensation. Our surveyor would be able to advise you on the best solutions.

We totally understand if Sunday is the only day you can be at home, we are happy to work to your schedule. We are a customer-focused and if time is of the essence, we will move mountains to do the survey. We reply to messages promptly and when you only have limited time, regardless of the day of week, we can accommodate you.

Of course, we understand that some people might not be into digital communication and we are happy to mail a printed copy to any postal address. This can be shown to any potential buyer as proof of an industry-standard inspection by a certified damp surveyor. We can even send the report to a foreign address if you prefer.

In general, damp-proofing work is not covered in a home insurance policy, however, the damage caused by damp would be covered. We offer a 10-year damp insurance from a reputable insurer, which covers you for everything.

All forms of mould are toxic and prolonged exposure can lead to serious medical issues, namely, respiratory disease. Black mould is considered the most harmful; if you notice this, contact London Damp Specialists and we will carry out an independent damp survey to reveal the extent and the causes of mould in the home.

The first option is to contact the contractor and they should guarantee their work and would probably send a technician to examine the site. You could book an independent damp survey and our surveyor would assess the damage and recommend remedial work. If the contractor refuses to do remedial work, you could file a lawsuit, providing you have a written contract.

This is caused by two extreme temperatures meeting on a single pane of glass and installing double-glazed replacement windows is a permanent solution. You need to generate a positive airflow throughout the interior, which dries out the air; investing in a portable dehumidifier is a wise move, as you can dry out rooms at will.

The common signs of penetrating damp include damp patches and tide marks on walls and ceilings, moss growth on external walls signifies a source of moisture and this needs further investigation. If you notice a musky smell in the house, or bubbling paint and peeling wallpaper, this is a sure sign that damp is present. You can book an independent damp survey with London Damp Specialists and find out whether or not your home has damp, mould or timber rot issues.

Both of these fungi need a humid atmosphere to grow, which might be due to rising damp or condensation; the surveyor carries out a ventilation flow test to accurately measure air movement. If condensation forms, this is a breeding ground for fungal growth and the timber is quickly compromised.

There are specific chemicals that seep into timber, eventually eliminating all larvae; our surveyors are happy to discuss woodworm prevention at any time. While we do not offer damp-proofing services, we work with London’s leading Damp-proofing company that issues a no-quibble 30-year guarantee on all damp-proofing.

If the air is humid and there is no ventilation, mould can quickly form and when spores are released, it creates an unpleasant smell. Mould can be white, brown, green or black, with the latter being very hazardous. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious respiratory issues and should you notice this odour, book an independent damp survey and nip the problem in the bud.

The customer receives the report in email form, usually within 24 hours of survey completion. The report would contain text and images that show issues and there might be a short video clip. The report can be sent in any format, if you would prefer a printed copy to be mailed to your postal address.

Our certified surveyors use damp meters, thermal and borescope cameras, humidity testers and drones for roof inspection. Thermal imaging is a game-changer, showing damp areas as blue, which tells the surveyor where to look further. Digital devices are accurate and cut down the time it takes for an inspection, which keeps costs down. High-resolution images are included in the report to show the customer issues.

As the name implies, this survey is designed for a potential buyer who wishes to have a professional damp assessment on the target property. Making such a big investment requires that you do your due diligence and that means booking an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists. This survey is also suitable for a seller, you can show potential buyers the survey report to assure them the property is damp-free.

There are various forms of mould and prior to remedial work, you need to source the origins of the moisture. It might be that there is insufficient ventilation and this needs to be addressed prior to repairing the damp damage. The use of waterproof plaster should prevent moisture from forming again. It is important to take a Relative Humidity measurement before making a diagnosis.

There are two beetles in the UK that burrow into wood; the Death Watch and the Common Furniture Beetle; both thrive in humid conditions and once the infestation takes hold, it will be a continuous process until treatment is applied. There are special chemicals that are sprayed on timber and it seeps into the wood, killing all eggs and larvae. If you suspect your home might have woodworm, we can carry out an independent damp survey and recommend a contractor to eradicate the insects.

Climbing onto a roof presents danger and we would never recommend that a homeowner do this. We provide an independent damp survey that includes a thorough roof inspection; our surveyors operate drones to get a close-up view of every square inch. They can see the guttering, examine the timber fascia and soffit boards and upper walls can be inspected, looking for signs of penetrating damp. You could book a roof inspection from a local roofing company but that would not include a damp survey on the whole house.

We accept credit cards, debit cards, cheques and cash. We do not require advance payment, rather we invoice you for the full amount after you receive the survey results.

Ideally, this would be done prior to buying the property; should there be damp issues, you can negotiate with the seller and have the damp-proofing work done immediately. If you notice damp areas on the walls or ceilings, this is a sign that damp is present and the sooner you get a definitive answer, the better.