Damp & Mould: The Importance of Regular Home Inspections

Your London home is likely to be one of the biggest investments that you will ever make and as you make the mortgage payments, the property will increase in value over the years. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to maintain the building and the damp climate we have in the UK poses a very real threat to every structure, regardless of the materials used in its construction.

Regular damp inspections

Most people are not that observant when pottering around their home and tell-tale signs of damp and mould might go unnoticed. Once moisture gets into a building, it gradually penetrates the walls and causes damp to damage plaster and a damp and humid atmosphere can cause mould and mildew. Regular damp inspections give you a heads-up if moisture is present in the building and that can save you thousands of pounds in repair bills.

Tell-tale signs of damp and mould

The following are sure signs that you have moisture issues in your home:

• Excess condensation on windows – Condensation forms on the inner surface of windows when there are extreme temperature differences. It can also form on window frames and sills and should be wiped away with a dry cloth. After a hot bath or shower, open the bathroom windows to dissipate the condensation and keep the door closed to prevent moisture getting to other areas.
• Damp patches on interior walls and ceilings – Regularly check all rooms, looking for damp patches and tide marks.
• Mould & mildew – Lack of ventilation promotes the growth of mould and mildew, which poses a serious threat to health. Black mould, for example, is very dangerous and should you suspect that your home has mould issues, give London Damp Specialists a call on 020 7458 4864 and let the damp professionals carry out a series of tests to determine whether or not damp is present in the building.
• Crumbling masonry and mortar – If damp impacts exterior walls, it can compromise brickwork and mortar, which causes it to crumble. Damp spreads by capillary action and slowly but surely, it will cause serious damage and unless it is addressed promptly, costly repairs are the likely result.
• Peeling wallpaper – Dampness on walls causes wallpaper adhesive to be inactive and if you should notice corners of strips of wallpaper peeling away from the substrate, you need to call a damp specialist in London.
• Musky odour – If you notice a musky smell in the house, this is an environment in which mould and mildew thrives. This means a thorough inspection should be carried out to identify the source of the unpleasant odour.

Rather than inspect the house yourself, why not give us a call and one of our qualified damp surveyors can carry out a thorough damp survey? We use cutting-edge technology to accurately determine whether or not damp is present in your home and you would receive a detailed report in writing within 24 hours of the survey completion.

Don’t delay, call the best damp proofing company in London today and arrange for a damp inspection in your home.