Services

Penetrating Damp

certification

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

"Paul completed the work in good time, was clean and the work was good, I would recommend him very highly."
Pat
"Great experience, Paul attended at less than 24 hours notice to re-render an external wall that had been abandoned by another builder. He did an excellent job quickly. Highly recommended."
Chris
"Excellent work from Paul and his team. Quote was fair and work was undertaken fairly soon. They protected the floors and tidied up afterwards with barely any sign of them having been in, impressive considering the scope of work done. Its now 2 months on and no signs of damp. Thanks Paul."
Adrian
"Super-efficient and speedy job and one of the team came back to do additional tidying up of the replaced skirting boards once it was finished."
Amy
"Came quickly to quote. Was the solution we were looking for (ie. not a whole house external coat). Came as schedule and tidied up afterwards… Most importantly they fixed the problem!"
Ben
"Paul and Carlton did a very good job to insulate the loft. Carlton was very reliable, hard working with attentive to details. I would highly recommend the service."
Bill
"Paul was very professional and friendly when he came to quote for a damp proof course and roof timber treatment for us."
Dan
"My walls were waterproofed and plastered with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. The price was excellent, the appointments were all bang on time, the work was rendered perfectly. All done with perfect politeness and helpfulness. Highly recommended."
Dave
"Paul gave a very competitive quote and did some extra work on top. Very pleased with the result. Came and did it in the time he said he would do it, would definitely hire again."
Eamonn
"Paul was prompt and pleasant, and helpful in assessing where we needed damp proof course installed. A good, neat job over the course of two days."
Karl
"Very happy with the job, straightforward, would highly recommend The London Damp Specialist."
Lauren
"Paul from the London Damp Specialist was really quick to respond and quote. The work was done in the time promised, to a high standard and they didn’t make any mess. Would definitely recommend."
Mikey
"Professionals. Will definitely be using Paul’s services in the future."
Millie
"Plasterer turned up on time and completed the job satisfactorily in two days. Work is now painted and looks great."
Nigel
"Paul did a very good job with our damp wall. He took care of the mess as well, and the result is stellar. Thanks!"
Ruth
"Paul and Carlton did a very good job to insulate the loft. Carlton was very reliable, hard working with attention to details. I would highly recommend the service."
Sarah
"Clean and tidy, very polite, job done. Very flexible to come and quote at weekend and work conducted very quickly. No complaints! Thanks Paul!"
Vera
FAQs
Can you repair a waterlogged basement?

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.

Do you repair woodworm?

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.

Does the weather impact damp in houses?

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.

How long does a damp survey take?

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.

What are the visible signs that there are damp issues?

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.

Would my house insurance cover damp repairs?

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.

Still have a question?
Get in Touch

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.

Request a Free Damp Survey

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 4

Let’s start with the basics