Essential Damp Inspection Tips for Homeowners

Home ownership brings with it many responsibilities and here in the UK, the wet climate can seriously damage a building. Penetrating and rising damp are the main culprits, with mould and mildew attacking timber and as the property owner, damp inspections are necessary to identify moisture and timber decay issues.

Here are a few damp inspection tips to help you manage your home.

• Windows & doors – Check all timber frames, looking for mould and mildew that thrive in damp conditions. Condensation is not a good sign, when moist air hits a warm surface and turns from vapour to liquid water. If you see mould, call London Damp Specialists on 020 8528 3864 or fill in our online form and let the experts assess the situation; our professional teams have the know-how and resources to deal with any damp issue. Check for tiny holes in the wood, a sure sign of woodworm and any signs of timber rot.
• Ceilings and walls – Scan all walls looking for damp patches, especially at floor and ceiling height, you might notice thin lines, this is a sign of water being present, perhaps not now, but at some time in the past. Look for crumbling plaster, as moisture causes plaster and cement to break up. Peeling wallpaper is another sign that moisture is present, which might be accompanied by a musky odour. We offer a service to test the moisture level in walls, taking up to 10 separate samples and analysing them for moisture content.
• Inspect the exterior building line – This is where damp can get a foothold; inferior brickwork and mortar leads to rising damp and the sooner you call in a damp proof specialist, the better. A building should have a damp proof course (DPC), a bitumen material that is laid between layers of brick to prevent moisture from rising, if the DPC is damaged, this could see the onset of rising damp.
• Inspect the guttering – Blocked guttering results in rainwater seeping down the exterior walls, which will cause issues. Clean out all guttering to ensure excess rainwater has an escape route and do check that the downpipes are not blocked. Also check the roof for missing or broken tiles, as this is a sure way to let water into the building and that is a recipe for disaster!

If you are at all concerned about damp in your home, the best solution is to order an independent damp survey from London Damp Specialists, a family-owned business with a fantastic reputation in London and the Home Counties.

Along with the survey report, you will receive a quote for any recommended work the surveyor might deem necessary.

If you are planning to make an offer on a house, order a homebuyer damp survey and find out if there are any moisture or damp issues. Give us a call on 020 8528 3864 or fill in the online survey form and take the first step to surveying the property before you make a commitment.