Inspecting a Property for Damp: The Ultimate Guide
If you have managed to find the perfect London property that is in the right location and within your price range, there are a few things you need to do in order to be sure the structure is in good condition. As we live in such a wet and drizzly place, it is no surprise that moisture is a homeowner’s number one enemy, and with that in mind, here is our guide to carrying out a damp survey.
Tools and equipment
To carry out a damp survey, you will need the following:
- Flashlight – To get a close up of those hard-to-reach places, you need a powerful flashlight. If you don’t have one, there are some cool rechargeable torches online that can be used for many things.
- Moisture meter – Not absolutely essential, but it is nice to be able to measure the moisture content in plaster and timber. The pin moisture meter is preferable to the pinless variety; they can be found online and you will find it useful over the years.
- Screwdriver – Used to prod and poke brick, mortar and masonry, looking for signs of penetrating damp.
- Ladder – In order to check the upper levels of exterior walls, an aluminium ladder is invaluable; if you are comfortable with heights, check the roof guttering for blockages and look for missing roof shingles.
- Borescope camera – Again, not essential, but a peephole camera can look under floorboards and in the loft. Professional surveyors use this device and it might come in handy for other uses.
- Humidity tester – A device to measure the moisture content in the air, this is a must for older properties that have a basement; check out the online stores for the best deals.
We think you should take some photos with your smartphone if you find things and you are unsure if it is damp-related. Our surveyors always take hi-res images to show the customer; remember to enable the flash and set to the highest resolution, then an expert can zoom in to examine surfaces.
Locations to inspect
Starting at ground level, inspect the exterior brickwork at ground level, removing moss growth to test the integrity of brick, mortar and render. You should be able to see a dark line between two courses of bricks, which is a damp proof course (DPC); older properties would have thick bitumen as DPC while newer builds would use a heavy grade plastic. If the DPC membrane is compromised, rising damp will follow, moisture moves with a capillary action, climbing brickwork and render, damaging timber when it reaches window frames. The roof could have a few missing or broken shingles, try to inspect all of the roof; our surveyors use drones to get a close-up look at every part of the roof, checking guttering for blockages. Interior walls, floors and ceilings must be examined, looking for any sign of damp, and a visit to the loft to check all timbers for damp and woodworm.
There is an alternative in the form of a free damp survey from London Damp Specialists, call us on 020 7458 4864 or fill in the form on this website.
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: