Ignoring Damp Issues: Essential Information for Homeowners

Attention London property owners! Ignore this article at your peril!

London property is among the most expensive in the world and due to the wet and drizzly weather the UK is famous for, damp is a very real threat. If it goes unaddressed, damage is sure to follow and it can reach the stage when the structural integrity of a building is compromised. As a property owner, you should be proactive when it comes to moisture penetration and damage; in this short article, we offer strategies to prevent moisture and damage from entering your home.

Be proactive with regular inspections

Damp and mould can attack any building at any time and when it does, early detection is critical; rising damp, penetrating damp, mould, mildew and condensation all have the potential to cause serious damage. Inspecting the exterior and interior of your home should be a regular occurrence, and it should include the following:

• Roof inspection – The roof is the most important component of a building, as it protects the structure from the harsh elements; you should check that there are no missing roof tiles and that the guttering is not blocked.
• Loft inspection – Check the joists and rafters, looking for signs of woodworm, wet and dry rot, take a flashlight and look for signs of damp. If your roof has a leak, you will be able to find tell-tale signs in the loft.
• Exterior walls – Start at ground level, looking for moss growth, crumbling brickwork and mortar; use a screwdriver to prod material to check the integrity and inspect the walls right up to the roof level. Inspect the damp proof course, looking for any signs of damage and damage should be repaired in a timely fashion.
• Inspect interior walls and ceilings – Look carefully for tide marks and damp patches on walls and ceilings, other signs of damp include peeling wallpaper, paint bubbling and discolouration. Check all timber frames, looking for bubbling or flaking paint, also look for tiny holes that are an indication of woodworm.

Professional damp surveys

Many homeowners do not have the time or the inclination to check their property for damp issues, which is where we at London Damp Specialists come in. Our surveyors use cutting-edge technology to determine the presence of moisture in a building; we offer surveys in 3 different levels, plus we offer an additional service of plaster analysis.

Damp proofing treatment

We are proud of our damp proofing services and we cover London and the Home Counties, treating rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, mould, mildew and timber preservation. Our work is guaranteed for a full 30 years, which is a reflection of our high standards of workmanship; if any area that we worked on develops damp issues, we repair at no cost to the customer.

Call London Damp Specialists on 020 7458 4864 or fill in the online enquiry form on this website and we will send a damp surveyor to determine whether or not damp is present in your home.