We offer a special homebuyers damp survey for those buying or selling their London home; damp can easily be concealed in several ways and making such a large investment demands a professional approach when it comes to damp.

Some London property owners are unaware of the damp issues until after they have bought the property and damage repair and damp-proofing treatment can run into thousands of pounds. Prior to making any commitment, you are advised to have a leading independent London damp surveyor inspect the property to ensure it is free from damp and mould. We use state-of-the-art digital equipment to source moisture, including thermal imagery and borescope cameras, which enables the surveyor to accurately measure and assess a building. The customer receives a full report within 24 hours, along with a quote for remedial work, if needed.

Damp is Easily Concealed

It is not difficult to hide the tell-tale signs of damp, a couple of coats of paint and a skim of plaster and the average person would think all is well. With more than 40 years hands-on experience surveying London homes, we are the go-to company for damp and timber independent surveys in London, with numerous levels, as listed below..

Types of Damp, Mould and Timber Rot

Rising Damp

London sits on the Thames Valley Basin, a clay-based region with moisture retention in many areas and this leads to rising damp. Buildings should have a damp proof course installed between brick courses close to the ground; this impermeable barrier prevents moisture from attacking the exterior walls; in the event the DPC is damaged, rising damp will surely follow. Older London homes are at high risk of rising damp due to the DPC membrane being damaged or degenerating over time; if you are planning to buy a London home, you should call in damp specialists to do an independent survey, looking for signs of rising damp, condensation and mould. Moisture entering a building from any location other than the ground is called penetrating damp; the dull and humid weather we get in London does nothing to dry out wet ground and heavy rainfall makes matters worse.

Penetrating Damp

Moisture can enter a structure from the roof, walls, window and door frames; all need to be checked prior to making an offer on any London property; ask the seller if they can produce a recent damp report from a reputable independent damp specialist in London. Otherwise, you should arrange for one of our certified and experienced damp surveyors to inspect the property for any signs of damp, mould or timber rot. A single missing roof tile is all it takes to allow rainwater into the internal roof structure, where it will attack joists and rafters; roof leaks are a main cause of penetrating damp in London homes, which is why you should book an annual roof inspection to give you a heads-up when repairs are in order. Render and brickwork can be damaged by constant wind and rain; moss growth is a sure sign of penetrating damp and this needs to be investigated. Our surveyors have a routine to quickly zone in on moisture and mould issues; using state-of-the-art digital equipment to identify and measure moisture within a building. Damp can be difficult to spot and should you go ahead with a purchase and later discover penetrating damp, it could cost thousands of pounds.

Condensation

When the air is very humid, water droplets can form on hard surfaces; when cold meets hot, moisture gathers on the warm surface as cold is transferred from the exterior surface; much like water drops form on the outside of a glass filled with cold beer. Condensation can be caused by our behaviour; drying damp clothing indoors will facilitate a transfer of moisture from the clothes into the air and coupled with lack of ventilation, mould can quickly form. If you run a hot bath and leave the door open, water vapour permeates through the house; close the bathroom door, open a window and turn on the fan when taking a hot bath. Cooking is another activity that generates condensation; always use the canopy extractor, which is designed to suck up all moisture and odours. Ventilation is a critical component of a damp-free environment and one of the top condensation solutions.

Timber Rot

Wet and dry rot are common in London properties; both types of fungi are destructive and will eat away at all species of wood. Damp, dark corners are ideal environments for fungi to thrive and it consumes wood pulp, which impacts the structural integrity of the material. Excessive moisture in timber is the main cause of dry rot; leaking pipes, rotten window frames or a leaking roof are all scenarios that can happen in a London property. Tell-tale signs of dry rot include cracking wood, discolouration and the formation of fluffy white fungal growth. Wet rot comes in many forms; a white or brown fluffy growth that thrives in still, humid areas and is never far from a moisture source. A damp odour often accompanies these signs and should you suspect timber rot is present in your London home, call London Damp Specialists on 020 8945 5547   and arrange to have the property inspected by one of our experienced damp specialists.

Woodworm

There are two invasive species of beetle that can attack timber in London homes and tell-tale signs include:

• Small bore holes in timber, with tiny mounds of dust.
• White larvae in close proximity to timber
• Crumbling edges and joints
• Dead grey insects

We use a range of methods to identify woodworm and should these insects be present in your London home, we can recommend a reputable contractor to eliminate these pests.

Our homebuyers damp survey is designed to help potential buyers by providing a detailed report on every aspect of damp, mould and timber rot.

Call us on 020 8945 5547 or fill out the form below and book a survey today.