Preparing Your Home for Winter Damp Issues – A Comprehensive Guide
Winters here in the UK are no laughing matter and for London homeowners, the autumn months are a time to prepare the home for the onslaught that winter invariably brings. While damp can be an issue at any time of the year, winter is by far the worst season and in this short article, we outline damp prevention strategies that you can employ to keep your home dry in the winter months.
- Roof inspection – A leaking roof will surely lead to water entering the internal roof structure, which damages timber joists and rafters; excessive water will eventually run down to the upstairs ceilings, causing damp patches to appear on plaster, peeling paint and wallpaper in the process. If you are not inclined to climb on the roof, contact a local roofing contractor to carry out a detailed roof inspection and clean out the guttering.
- Loft inspection – It is important to carry out a loft inspection to check the timber joists and rafters for damp damage, woodworm, wet and dry rot. Take a powerful flashlight and scan all areas in the loft; take extra care where you tread, do not step between the roof joists as you could end up falling through into a bedroom! Should you find signs of damp in your loft, call London Damp Specialists on 020 7458 4864 or fill in the form on this website.
- Check exterior walls for signs of damp damage – Start at the building line where the damp proof course is located; a very important component, DPC membrane prevents rising damp and you need to check the entire property, while also inspecting the walls up to the roof. Penetrating damp starts at exterior walls and if not treated, it permeates through to the interior.
- Condensation – Winter is the worst season for condensation in London homes and you can reduce it by creating an airflow throughout your home. Opening a few windows dries the air out, while turning on the central heating in every room periodically is another way to reduce condensation. Good ventilation is critical to combat condensation and we have all the best condensation solutions that work.
- Timber inspection – You should inspect all timber in your home, looking for tell-tale signs of woodworm, wet and dry rot. If you discover damaged timber, we offer comprehensive timber preservative treatment and all our work comes with a 30-year guarantee.
If you don’t have the time to carry out a pre-winter home inspection, we offer a free damp survey for London homeowners and we offer a quote for recommended remedial work.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that damp is something that happens to others, it is a very real threat to every property and it makes total sense to protect your home, which is a major investment that will increase in value if you take good care of it. We hope this information helps you to carry out a thorough pre-winter damp inspection, ensuring that your home remains dry throughout the cold season.
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: