Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is a persistent and potentially damaging issue that affects many homes in London. It is caused by external water finding its way into your property through cracks, damaged masonry, faulty guttering or deteriorated pointing. Left untreated, it will eventually compromise the structural integrity of your home. Early identification and effective, professional treatment are essential to prevent more serious and costly damage to your home.
Penetrating Damp Treatment Specialists
Penetrating damp is one of the most destructive and invasive problems you can encounter in your property. There are different reasons for penetrating damp depending on where it’s located. Roof problems can cause damp spots to appear on your ceiling. This includes broken or missing roof tiles, or even burst or leaking pipes in the attic of your property. Defects in the exterior plaster or brickwork, such as the pointing or even an improperly sealed window, can result in damp on your walls.
London Damp Specialists can treat any penetrating damp you may have (or suspect you may have) with our effective damp proofing treatments, including dry rot, wet rot and woodworm treatment. If any damp issues are evident in your property, it’s time to call in the experts to eradicate them as soon as possible.
Penetrating damp can lead to several destructive effects, 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 | Damp Specialists
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:
- Repairing 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.
Whatever your damp cause, issue or damage, it is important to fix it as soon as possible before it affects your property or family’s health further. The damp experts at London Damp Specialists will diagnose and solve your damp difficulties with minimum disruption but maximum effect, leaving you with damp-free accommodation and our 30-year watertight assurance.
The Advantages of Professional Penetrating Damp Treatment
Seeking professional help for penetrating damp treatment is not just a proactive measure; it’s an investment in the life and structure of your property. When dampness infiltrates your walls, it’s like having an unwelcome guest that slowly undermines the structure’s integrity. We act like seasoned bouncers, expertly identifying and evicting this intruder with precision.
Opting for expert assistance ensures that the damp is not only treated but its cause thoroughly addressed, preventing future recurrences. This approach saves you time and money in the long run, sparing you the repeated costs and hassles of short-term fixes. Remember, the expertise professionals bring to the table is the difference between applying a sticking plaster and performing skilled surgery on your home’s damp issues.
Customer Testimonials
Yes, we have the resources to tackle even the worst situations; our teams work efficiently to secure a building in an emergency; don’t hesitate to call us on 020 8528 3864 and we will do our best to contain the situation.
Wood boring insects can cause serious damage to London properties, especially in older buildings, which contain a lot of timber. We offer a range of tried and trusted woodworm and dry rot repairs and our work is guaranteed for 30 years. Early detection is the key with woodworm and it might be that the timber cannot be saved and new timber needs to be fitted.
Long periods of dull and wet weather create the perfect conditions for damp and mould to thrive and we haven’t seen the Sun for months. Heavy rainfall is sure to cause damp issues to older properties.
It very much depends on the size of the property, the larger the house, the longer the survey will take; of course, we have to be thorough when it comes to moisture inspection, so our surveyors won’t be rushed. An average family home might be completed in 3-4 hours, but it really depends on some variables such as the weather, access and availability.
Signs include tide marks on the walls, damp or wet patches, crumbling plaster, mould and mildew growth, peeling wallpaper and a thin film of mould on walls. Crumbling masonry/ mortar on exterior walls is a sure sign of rising damp and the damp proof course (DPC) is likely compromised.
A typical home insurance policy would cover damage caused by damp, but not the cost of the damp repairs; read the small print on your policy to find out what you are covered for.
Our 5 Step Process
01
Initial Consultation
Tell us about your damp issue and we’ll guide you on next steps. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions and gather information.
02
Site Visit
Next, we visit your property to find the root cause of the issue. We’ll also assess the local environment, and take measurements or observations.
03
No Obligation Quote
Then we’ll send a detailed estimate of the costs involved, with no hidden extras, and provided to you without any commitment. You can review the financial aspect before making any decisions.
04
Work Carried Out
Our expert team carries out the work as planned, to the agreed timeline and quality standards, with minimum disruption to you.
05
Payment
The last step is payment, once the work’s complete, your home is dry and you’re satisfied with the results.
Damp Survey Costs
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for our independent, unbiased surveys.
Level 1
What’s included:
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 2
What’s included:
- Everything in Level 1
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 3 (Most Popular)
What’s included:
- Everything in Level 1 & Level 2
- Thermal Imaging
- Air humidity testing
- HD boroscope camera
- Brickwork pointing inspection
- DPC inspection
- Ventilation flow test on extractor fans
- 4K drone imagery roof, chimney stack
and guttering inspection - Structural condition inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Survey Add Ons
Add On 1
Laboratory analysis Of plaster identifies hygroscopic salts such as chlorides and nitrates. which indicate whether damp is caused by rising groundwater or by plumbing leaks, This testing removes guesswork, allowing the exact source of moisture to be identified so the correct treatment is applied rather than carrying out unnecessary damp-proofing work.
Add On 2
qPCR DNA mould testing detects microscopic mould spores that are invisible during a normal inspection and van remain hidden behind walls, floors. or inside building rkaterials. It identifies the exact mould species present and the contamination level, allowing hidden mould problems to be confirrned and properly treated before they affect the property or occupants’ health.
Qualifications: All our surveyors are PCA and CSRT qualified for remedial treatments and also CSSW qualified for structural waterproofing.
Next day report: You will receive the report within 24 hours of the inspection taking place.
The survey fee will be deducted from the cost of any recommended repairs.
These are the tools we use
A damp meter
A damp meter is a diagnostic tool used to detect and measure moisture levels within building materials such as plaster, brick, timber, and concrete.
Borescope camera
borescope camera is a small inspection camera attached to a flexible semi-rigid cable that allows you to see inside areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
Inspection Drone
A drone is a remotely operated aerial device equipped with a camera that allows visual inspection from above without the need for scaffolding or ladder.
Air Humidity Sensor
Air humidity sensor measures the amount of moisture present in the air, expressed as relative humidity (RH) in percentage. It helps determine whether indoor conditions are contributing to condensation, mould growth, or damp-related issues.
Thermal Imaging Camera
A thermal imaging camera detects temperature differences on surfaces by using infrared technology to produce a heat map image. In damp investigations, it helps identify cold spots, moisture intrusion, insulation defects, thermal bridging and leaks.
Air Flow Ventilation Detector
An air flow ventilation detector measures the movement and volume of air passing through vents, extractor fans, and air bricks. It confirms whether ventilation systems are working properly and achieving adequate air changes within a room. Poor airflow leads to trapped moisture, high humidity, condensation on cold surfaces, and ultimately mould growth.
Mould Swab Test Kit
A mould swab test is carried out to confirm the presence of hidden mould growth and identify the specific species involved. Surface mould is not always visible, especially behind furniture, inside cavities, or within ventilation systems. Laboratory analysis of a swab sample determines whether active mould spores are present and what type they are, which helps assess potential health risks and decide the correct remediation approach rather than relying on visual assumption alone.
Plaster Salt Analysis Lab
Laboratory analysis of plaster is used to identify the type of salts present within the material, typically chlorides and nitrates. The presence and concentration of these salts help determine whether the moisture source is consistent with rising damp, ground contamination, or another forms [sic] of water ingress. such as mains water leak, This removes guesswork and prevents misdiagnosis, ensuring the correct remedial treatment is specified rather than applying unnecessary or ineffective solutions.
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: