Call us on 0207 205 4886 Request a Survey

Independent Damp Surveyors

A damp survey is an in-depth examination essential for accurately identifying damp issues in London properties. It involves assessing the property’s age, construction materials, and any previous damp treatments.

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.

Request a Survey

We’ll find the cause of your damp or your money back.

  • Cost for a walls inspection £199 + VAT
  • Cost for a walls and timber survey £299 + VAT
  • Cost for a walls, timber and thermal imaging survey £399 + VAT
  • Extra add on, lab analysis of plaster £299 +VAT
    This can be added to any of the surveys above. Up to 10 samples of plaster will be tested to prove source of moisture.
  • Our reports are usually ready within 24hrs
Book a Survey

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 free 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 Survey

Penetrating 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.
Request a Survey

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 Survey

Timber 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 Survey

Basement 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 Survey

Tools We Use

Our surveyors use state of the art equipment to detect moisture in a property:

Damp Meter

Damp meter

This device has multi-purpose use; it can identify problem areas, pinpoint sources of damp and monitor if areas are drying out over time. The meter can be calibrated for timber or plaster and there are two main types, namely pinned and pinless damp meters. The pins can be inserted into timber or mortar to accurately measure the moisture content within the material, while the pinless variety measures surface moisture.

 

Thermal imaging camera

Thermal imager (Infrared camera)

This is a device that locates potential areas of damp on walls, ceilings and floors, visualising temperature differences on the surface of materials. Damp areas are typically cooler than dry areas and this shows on the screen; Thermal imagery is primarily used for masonry diagnosis and is an indispensable piece of equipment for a damp surveyor.

 

Humidity Testing

Humidity tester

A device to measure the level of humidity in the air; the handheld device is very accurate and helps the surveyor to get an overall assessment of the moisture content in the air. If the surveyor is looking for mould, measuring humidity will show if mould could grow in that area. An integral device and one of the first tests to be carried out.

 

Colour Inspection Borescope

Borescope camera

This type of camera is very useful for looking at hard-to-reach places, such as wall cavities, under floors and to determine the wall structure in some building types. Also known as a pin hole camera, this device can detect leaks and is used on every survey to get a close-up of targeted areas and the surveyor can investigate an area with hi-res imagery.

 

Drone Imagery

Drone imagery

Used to inspect the exterior of a building, state-of-the-art drones bring hi-res close ups of the roof, guttering and upper walls, while it enables the surveyor to check for missing roof shingles. This saves time, which is a win-win for everyone and any issues can be investigated further. Every damp survey would include scanning the exterior with a drone, looking for defects and signs of damp, zooming in when necessary.

 

Ventilation Flow Test

Ventilation airflow test

Ventilation is essential to reduce the moisture in the air and to determine the degree of airflow, the surveyor has a range of devices in their arsenal. Mould and mildew thrive in still, humid conditions and by generating an airflow, you can dry out the air, which helps to prevent dangerous fungi forming.

 

Lab Analysis of Plaster

Lab analysis of plaster

An additional service of plaster lab analysis is available, with up to 10 plaster samples tested to prove moisture source. This is an accurate way to assess moisture in walls, with lab analysis of the samples.

Request a Survey

Damp Survey Costs

We have three levels of Damp Survey as well as an extra lab analysis of affected plaster. You can choose from:

Level 1 Survey: £199 + VAT

This survey includes an inspection of all interior and exterior walls and floors for signs of dampness and leaks.

Level 2 Survey: £299 + VAT

This includes everything from Level 1, plus an examination of all wood structures and loft timbers for wood rot and woodworm.

Level 3 Survey: £399 + VAT

This survey includes the same checks as Level 2, with the addition of thermal imaging, air humidity testing, borescope camera, drone imagery and ventilation flow test.

If you’re unsure of the level of survey you need, please call us on 0207 205 4886.

We can schedule the damp survey within a few days, and we’ll send a comprehensive report and findings to you within 24 hours, along with a quote for any necessary work. That way you can quickly decide on next steps.

If you then ask us to carry out the work needed to fix the issue, we’ll take the cost of the survey off the price of the work.

If you have any questions about damp surveys, general damp worries or want to find out about booking a survey, please call us on 0207 205 4886.