Independent Damp Surveyors
This detailed approach ensures that our recommendations are effective and tailored to your property’s specific needs, considering its unique characteristics and structural history.
Covering London
We cover all areas inside the M25.
Money Back Guarantee
We’ll find the cause of your damp or your money back.
Easy to Book
Call now to get booked in over the phone or book online.
Fast & Efficient
Surveys done in 48 hours and report sent to you within 24 hours.
Experienced & qualified
Over 40 years’ experience treating damp.
Damp Survey
Many properties on the market have a quick fix and paint touch up to ‘repair’ or hide damp. It’s not until you move in and after a few months that the damp and condensation issues start to creep back – horrible mould and damp patches might start reappearing, and sometimes the extent and severity of the dampness in the property forces residents to vacate while renovations are done and the inside is revamped.
It’s also worth noting that given London’s climate and soil type (largely clay), damp surveys are vital for homeowners or property managers. During the survey, qualified damp surveyors, with extensive experience in diagnosing various damp-related problems, thoroughly examine the property. These problems can range from penetrating and rising damp to damp floors and the need for basement tanking.
The survey helps in understanding the type of damp and its causes, which is crucial for determining the most effective treatment plan. Our damp proofing services in Central London, including areas like Kensington, Westminster and Soho, provide tailored solutions to each unique property, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tackling damp in some of the city’s most iconic locations.
How Does a Damp Survey Work?
The damp survey process is designed to be straightforward and non-invasive, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily life. When you book a survey with London Damp Specialists, one of our skilled surveyors will visit your property for an inspection. On average, the surveyor spends about 15 to 30 minutes examining the affected areas. You will need to show them the areas where signs of damp are evident. They then conduct a detailed examination, often including a inspection of the entire property.
This comprehensive approach is crucial for accurately diagnosing the damp issues and planning effective solutions. The areas we include in the survey are basements and cellars, walls affected by rising damp, areas with penetrating damp, spaces with condensation issues, and timber structures that might pose a risk.
Why Use Our Damp Survey Service?
Opting for our damp survey service means you are choosing some of London’s most experienced and skilled damp proofing experts. Our team consists of professional surveyors who are not only adept at identifying various damp problems but also excel at clearly explaining these issues to our clients. We take pride in our customer-centric approach, so you will be fully informed and comfortable throughout the survey process.
Additionally, our damp proofing costs are transparent and depend on factors like the size of the area needing treatment and the extent of the damp, ensuring you receive a fair and tailored quote. We’re also committed to minimal disruption and efficient service.
Our surveyors are experienced in explaining damp-related issues to those unfamiliar with them, making sure you understand the problem and the proposed solutions. With our 30-year guarantee on damp proofing work and a promise to beat any reputable company’s quotation, we offer unbeatable value and excellent workmanship, always delivered with a smile.
Post-Survey Aftercare and Support
As well as our thorough survey process, we place a strong emphasis on aftercare and client support. Following the survey, our team provides a detailed report outlining the findings and recommended solutions. We understand that dealing with damp can be stressful, so we make sure you have ongoing support and advice available to help you through the treatment process.
Our commitment extends beyond the survey. We offer follow-up services to guarantee the effectiveness of our solutions and your complete satisfaction. This level of comprehensive care and attention to detail is what sets our service apart – not only do we provide a solution to your damp problems but also give you peace of mind for the future.
Rising Damp Survey
Rising damp is a significant concern in many London properties, often leading to structural damage and health risks. As independent damp surveyors, we specialise in diagnosing and treating this issue, so you’ll know your home is safeguarded against its harmful effects.
There are various ways you can spot rising damp – wallpaper peeling, damage to plaster and skirting boards, and visible tide lines on walls. These signs suggest moisture rising through the brickwork, a condition that must be stopped. Our team of independent damp surveyors conducts thorough surveys to accurately identify the extent of rising damp and then plans a bespoke treatment strategy.
Our rising damp treatment is comprehensive and effective:
- We remove any damp plaster
- Add chemical injections to the damp proof course to repair it
- Add a salt neutraliser to walls to dissolve salts present from damp penetration
- Install tanking, a liquid coating that bonds to damp brickwork and forms a waterproof barrier
- Apply a waterproof sand and cement interior render
- Make good with a smooth skim coat plaster.
As independent damp surveyors, we focus on more than just treatment; we aim to preserve the long-term health and structural integrity of your property. Our commitment to detail, combined with a deep understanding of damp-related issues, guarantees our clients receive a service that is both thorough and tailored to their specific needs. When you trust us with your rising damp concerns, you are choosing a partner dedicated to the highest standards of care and expertise in the field of damp surveying and treatment.
Request a SurveyPenetrating Damp Survey
Penetrating damp is destructive and invasive and is a problem you want to stop in your property. It can be caused by a number of factors, including broken or missing roof tiles, or even burst or leaking pipes in the attic. Defects in the exterior plaster, brickwork or aged pointing, or even an improperly sealed window, can result in damp on your walls.
London Damp Specialists can treat any penetrating damp with our effective damp proofing treatments, including dry rot, wet rot and woodworm treatment. If you think you have any damp issues in your property, it’s time to call in the experts to eradicate them as soon as possible.
Penetrating damp can have several unpleasant and destructive results, including:
- black mould growth (and potential health concerns from mould spores if left untreated)
- damaged plaster and paint
- timber and wood rot
- structural damage to the building
- increased heat loss
- unsightly water damage on walls and ceilings.
Penetrating damp can deteriorate the structure of your home by allowing excessive moisture to penetrate the walls from the outside.
How to Treat Penetrating Damp
London Damp Specialists experts will help you identify your penetrating damp issue with a damp survey and then recommend a remedial course of action. A typical approach may include:
- Repair exterior cracks.
- Repair pointing that shows signs of ageing and deterioration.
- Remove any deteriorated plaster.
- Introduce a salt neutraliser to walls to dissolve salts present from water penetration.
- Install tanking, a liquid coating that bonds to damp brickwork and forms a waterproof barrier.
- Apply a waterproof sand and cement interior render.
- Add a smooth skim coat plaster.
- Waterproof sand and cement exterior render.
Condensation Survey
Condensation is a widespread issue in buildings of all ages and types, creating an unsightly and unhealthy environment. As independent damp surveyors, we at London Damp Specialists are committed to addressing this problem with effective and lasting solutions.
Condensation typically becomes noticeable in the winter months when warm air inside a building comes into contact with cold exterior surfaces like walls or windows. This can lead to various problems, including mould growth and damage to the building’s structure. While temporary measures like increasing ventilation or using dehumidifiers might provide short-term relief, they often fail to tackle the root cause of the problem.
If you’re facing condensation issues on your property, our team of independent damp surveyors is here to help. We conduct thorough investigations to identify the causes of condensation and recommend effective solutions to protect your home and your family’s health. Our approach includes removing damp or damaged plaster, applying a salt neutraliser to walls, and installing advanced tanking systems and waterproof renders to ensure a dry and healthy environment.
In addition to these measures, we also offer Nuaire positive input ventilation systems, including the Nuaire Drimaster and Flatmaster, which are designed to eliminate toxic black mould and air-induced dampness. These systems provide cost-effective, whole-home ventilation and are suitable for a variety of property types, including those with or without lofts.
Choosing our services means opting for professional, quick, and minimally disruptive solutions, backed by our 30-year watertight guarantee. As independent damp surveyors, we are dedicated to ensuring your property remains free from condensation, safeguarding both its structural integrity and the health of its occupants.
Request a SurveyTimber Treatment Survey
Timber treatment is an essential consideration for many older properties in London, where a significant portion of the structure often comprises timber. As independent damp surveyors, we understand the importance of protecting this vital material from common threats like dry rot, wet rot, and woodworm, each capable of causing varying degrees of damage.
Our team of damp experts, who are also skilled independent damp surveyors, offer professional and effective solutions for all types of timber treatment. We use market-approved methods to combat wood rot, ensuring that your property remains structurally sound and free from these destructive elements.
Woodworm refers to several species of wood-boring insects whose larvae infest timber, causing significant damage over time. If you notice signs like tiny boreholes in floorboards or woodwork, along with dusty residue or crumbling joinery, it’s time to call in the experts.
Our independent damp surveyors can inspect your timber and recommend the most effective woodworm treatment to protect your property.
Dry rot is one of the most destructive conditions affecting timber, spreading rapidly and potentially compromising a property’s structural integrity. It thrives in moist conditions and can be identified by discoloured, brittle, and cracked wood. Another type of rot is wet rot, which thrives in high moisture areas often due to building defects or damp issues. Our approach to timber and wood treatment includes removing damaged timber, treating remaining and new timber with dry rot-resistant solutions, and applying timber preservatives to prevent re-infestation.
As independent damp surveyors, we are committed to preserving the integrity of your property’s timber elements. Our treatments are carried out professionally and quickly, with minimal disruption, leaving you with a home free from rot and the assurance of our 30-year watertight guarantee.
Request a SurveyBasement Tanking Survey
Basement tanking is a crucial process for any London property with a cellar or basement, especially given the city’s propensity for damp issues. As independent damp surveyors, we specialise in transforming these underground spaces into dry, usable areas, whether for living, storage, or housing essential systems like heating or air-conditioning.
Originally, cellars were designed with an external basement tanking system to prevent damp. However, being underground, these areas are naturally prone to damp and water ingress over time. Our team of independent damp surveyors conducts thorough surveys to assess the extent of dampness and devises a customised waterproofing plan.
The basement tanking process we offer includes several key steps. We start by removing any damp or damaged plaster to halt further damage. A salt neutraliser is then applied to the walls to address the damp-related salts. The core of our treatment is the tanking system, a robust solution that involves applying a liquid coating to damp brickwork, creating a waterproof barrier. This is complemented by a waterproof sand and cement interior render and finished with a smooth skim coat plaster for a polished appearance.
As independent damp surveyors, we understand the value of a dry and functional basement. Our approach is not just about damp proofing; it’s about adding valuable, functional space to your property. We ensure that our work is carried out with minimal disruption to you, leaving you with a damp-free cellar and the assurance of our 30-year watertight guarantee.
Request a SurveyProfessional Damp Diagnostic Equipment
Electronic Moisture Meter
Purpose:
Takes comparative moisture readings from accessible walls, floors, ceilings and other surfaces to identify abnormal moisture patterns.
Common Uses / Notes:
Helps the surveyor map affected areas and identify patterns associated with rising damp, penetrating moisture, condensation and potential leaks. Readings support the survey but are not a diagnosis on their own.
Deep-Reading Moisture Meter
Purpose:
Investigates below the immediate surface of building materials without requiring extensive removal of finishes.
Common Uses / Notes:
Helps locate moisture within walls, beneath accessible floors, inside subfloor areas and deeper within the building fabric where hidden moisture is suspected.
Non-Destructive Moisture Scanner
Purpose:
Checks for changes in moisture beneath walls, ceilings and flooring non-invasively without puncturing or damaging the finished surface.
Common Uses / Notes:
Ideal for decorated walls, ceilings and flooring where pin testing would be undesirable. Useful for tracing water migration paths and comparing dry areas against suspected damp sections.
High-Definition Borescope Camera
Purpose:
Provides a close visual inspection of concealed or difficult-to-access spaces without opening up large sections of the building.
Common Uses / Notes:
Used beneath floors, inside wall cavities, behind linings and around hidden pipework to uncover leaks, hidden moisture, timber decay, or construction defects with minimal disturbance.
4K Aerial Drone
Purpose:
Captures high-resolution images of roofs, chimney stacks and other inaccessible high-level external areas.
Common Uses / Notes:
Inspects roof coverings, chimney stacks, flashing, guttering, parapet walls, valleys, high-level brickwork and difficult elevations to reveal defects linked to penetrating damp and water ingress. Subject to weather, safety rules and flight regulations.
Indoor Humidity Monitor
Purpose:
Measures the amount of moisture held within the indoor air (relative humidity and temperature).
Common Uses / Notes:
Helps determine whether high ambient humidity, insufficient ventilation, or surface condensation could be contributing to black mould growth and damp conditions.
Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera
Purpose:
Displays surface temperature variations across walls, floors and ceilings.
Common Uses / Notes:
Assists in identifying cold bridging, condensation risk, insulation irregularities, thermal patterns and hidden water leaks. Interpreted alongside physical moisture readings rather than treated as proof of damp on its own.
Ventilation and Airflow Tester
Purpose:
Tests the extraction performance and airflow velocity of mechanical extractor fans and ventilation outlets.
Common Uses / Notes:
Assesses extractor fans in kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms to determine whether moisture-producing areas have sufficient extraction rate (L/s or m3/h) to control humidity, condensation and mould risk.
Multi-Gas Detection Equipment
Purpose:
Screens indoor air to identify certain gases present within the property.
Common Uses / Notes:
Supports investigations involving drain smells, suspected sewer gases (H2S, NH3, CH4), combustion concerns (CO, O2) and flammable gases (CH4, C3H8). Does not replace testing or certification by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
VOC and Chemical Vapour Monitor
Purpose:
Screens the air for Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC/VOC) and chemical substances such as formaldehyde (HCHO).
Common Uses / Notes:
Useful when investigating unusual chemical smells, building material emissions/off-gassing, conditions following water damage, or general indoor air quality concerns.
Fine Particle Monitor
Purpose:
Measures airborne material and particle concentrations across precise size ranges, including PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10.
Common Uses / Notes:
Supports investigations involving fine dust, smoke, poor indoor air conditions and environments affected by post-leak damage or extensive mould contamination.
Socket and RCD Testing Device
Purpose:
Provides limited, basic electrical safety and protective circuit screening during the inspection.
Common Uses / Notes:
Helps identify certain socket wiring problems, confirms the operation of Residual Current Device (RCD) protection and detects AC voltage in damp areas. Does not constitute a full electrical inspection or an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Equipment & Inspection Levels
Essential Damp Survey
Standard price: £299 + VAT
Promotional Price: £199 + VAT (Limited Time Offer)
Repair Deduction: Full survey cost deducted if remedial work is instructed.
The Level 1 survey is an entry-level inspection of the main accessible areas. It is intended for relatively straightforward concerns involving visible damp, suspected rising damp or isolated moisture patches.
Equipment Provided
- Electronic damp meter
Areas and Checks Included
- Accessible walls
- Accessible floors
- Ceilings
- Visible drain and plumbing leak checks
- Damp information and prevention guidance
Recommended For
This option is suitable when a customer needs a basic assessment using a standard damp meter. It can be used for a general check or where there is a simple and clearly defined moisture concern.
The inspection covers accessible internal surfaces, drains and plumbing but does not include the advanced diagnostic instruments provided with the higher survey levels.
The survey price will be deducted if we undertake the recommended remedial work.
Enhanced Damp & Timber Survey
Standard price: £399 + VAT
Promotional Price: £299 + VAT (Limited Time Offer)
Repair Deduction: Full survey cost deducted if remedial work is instructed.
The Level 2 survey includes the Level 1 inspection together with deeper moisture investigation and checks for timber-related deterioration.
Equipment Provided
- Electronic damp meter
- Deep-reading moisture meter
- Non-invasive moisture scanner
Areas and Checks Included
- Accessible walls, floors and ceilings
- Visible drain and plumbing leak checks
- Wet rot inspection
- Dry rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Deeper moisture readings from suitable building materials
- Non-destructive moisture checks beneath accessible floors and within subfloor areas
- Damp information and prevention guidance
Recommended For
It is appropriate for concerns involving wet rot, dry rot, woodworm, concealed dampness or moisture below finished surfaces.
The combination of deep-reading and non-invasive instruments allows the surveyor to gather information from subfloors, beneath accessible floorboards, behind suitable panelling and within other reachable concealed areas without unnecessary dismantling.
The Level 2 survey is a good choice for buyers and sellers who require a more detailed damp and timber assessment before proceeding with a property transaction.
The survey charge will be deducted from the cost of remedial work undertaken by us.
Comprehensive Property Moisture Survey
Standard price: £499 + VAT
Promotional Price: £399 + VAT (Limited Time Offer)
Repair Deduction: Full survey cost deducted if remedial work is instructed.
The Level 3 survey is our most comprehensive inspection. It incorporates the Level 1 and Level 2 services and adds advanced diagnostic equipment, ventilation testing and high-level external inspection.
Equipment Provided
- Electronic damp meter
- Deep-reading moisture meter
- Non-invasive moisture scanner
- Infrared thermal imaging camera
- Indoor humidity monitor
- HD borescope camera
- Airflow and ventilation tester
- 4K inspection drone
- Socket and RCD testing device
Areas and Checks Included
- Accessible walls, floors and ceilings
- Visible drains and plumbing
- Wet rot, dry rot and woodworm
- Deep moisture testing
- Accessible subfloor moisture checks
- Thermal imaging
- Indoor humidity measurement
- Borescope examination where appropriate
- Brickwork and pointing
- Visible damp-proof course
- Extractor fan airflow
- Roof coverings
- Chimney stacks
- Flashing and guttering
- High-level external components
- General visible structural condition
- Basic socket and RCD screening
- 4K drone photographs where flight conditions permit
Recommended For
This option is suitable when a customer needs a basic assessment using a standard damp meter. It can be used for a general check or where there is a simple and clearly defined moisture concern.
The inspection covers accessible internal surfaces, drains and plumbing but does not include the advanced diagnostic instruments provided with the higher survey levels.
The survey price will be deducted if we undertake the recommended remedial work.
Specialised Laboratory Testing Add-Ons
Laboratory Analysis of Plaster Samples
Price £299 + VAT
(The cost of this add-on is deducted from your repair bill if we carry out the recommended remedial works).
Small plaster samples are carefully taken from affected walls and sent to an independent laboratory to analyse the concentration of hygroscopic salts (chlorides and nitrates).
Why it matters: Hygroscopic salts are carried by ground moisture during rising damp and remain in plaster even after masonry dries.
Diagnostic value: Differentiates true rising damp from condensation, rainwater penetration, or temporary plumbing leaks.
Note: Salt analysis can be particularly helpful when moisture-meter readings alone do not provide a sufficiently clear diagnosis. It may assist in distinguishing possible rising damp from condensation, water penetration or residual contamination caused by a historic leak. The results are considered together with the moisture profile, construction of the building, external ground levels, condition of the damp-proof course and other survey observations. This is the only additional service requiring minor invasive work because physical plaster samples must be collected. If we undertake the recommended remedial work, the survey cost will be deducted from the cost of that work.
Laboratory Mould & qPCR DNA Analysis
Surface swab or lift samples are submitted to an accredited laboratory for advanced qPCR DNA testing to identify exact mould species and spore concentrations.
Why it matters: Identifies toxigenic species (e.g., Stachybotrys chartarum) and concealed mould growth behind dry lining or furniture.
Diagnostic value: Establishes whether mould contamination is localised or widespread, enabling precise environmental remediation planning.
This service may be beneficial where:
- A persistent musty smell is present
- Mould repeatedly returns after cleaning
- The property has experienced previous water damage
- Contamination is suspected behind furniture or inside cupboards
- Occupants have concerns about the indoor environment
- The extent of visible mould is unclear
- Independent laboratory evidence is required
Note: The results can help establish whether contamination appears isolated or more widespread. They may also assist with planning appropriate cleaning, removal, drying, ventilation or moisture-control measures. Laboratory mould testing does not replace the need to investigate the moisture source. Mould is normally a symptom of excess moisture, condensation, leakage or inadequate ventilation, so the underlying cause must also be identified. If we carry out the recommended work, the survey fee will be deducted from the cost of that work.
Gas, Vapour & Airborne Contaminant Screening
Price £299 + VAT
(The cost of this add-on is deducted from your repair bill if we carry out the recommended remedial works).
Comprehensive environmental air quality screening for properties with persistent odours, post-flood contamination, or air quality issues.
Screening includes:
- Indoor air-quality assessment – IAQ
- Volatile organic compounds – TVOC/VOC
- Formaldehyde – HCHO
- Fine airborne particles – PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10
- Dust and smoke particles – PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10
- Sewer gas screening – H2S, NH3 and CH4
- Flammable gas screening – CH4 and C3H8
- Carbon monoxide – CO
- Hydrogen sulphide – H2S
- Ammonia – NH3
- Oxygen levels – O2
- Stale-air and ventilation assessment – IAQ and TVOC
- Drain odour investigation – H2S, NH3 and CH4
- Chemical smell investigation – TVOC, VOC, HCHO and NH3
- Post-leak air and surface-condition checks – PM2.5 and TVOC
- Combustion gas screening – CO, O2 and CH4
- Building-product off-gassing assessment – TVOC and HCHO
- General pollutant screening – PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10 and TVOC
Diagnostic value: Pinpoints the source of foul drain odours, chemical off-gassing and stale air problems linked to poor ventilation. It is also useful when a property contains a persistent foul, stale or unexplained smell. Odours can originate from damp building materials, stagnant water, contaminated drains, sewer gases, mould-related conditions or chemical vapours. Targeted screening helps narrow down the possible source and supports further investigation.
Note: Screening results do not replace specialist gas, environmental or medical assessments where these are required. The survey charge will be deducted if London Damp Specialists completes the recommended remedial work.
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form:
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form:
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form: