Independent Damp Surveyors
Discovering damp in your home is one of the most frustrating experiences that you can have as a homeowner, and it always seems to happen at the least convenient times.
Not only can damp that is left untreated result in the need for highly expensive repairs, but it can also cause damage to treasured personal possessions or furniture. If you have found damp on your property, you will know how concerning it can be. After all, your home is supposed to be where you relax, not an extra source of stress!
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.
Thankfully, you don’t need to panic when discovering damp—Independent Damp Surveyor are here to help you. Our team of highly qualified experts will find the source and the cause of the damp on your property, or your money back. All of our surveys are carried out within 48 hours by CSRT, CSSW, and CSCS certified surveyors, and a report of our findings will be sent to you that same day.
Not only are our surveys carried out quickly, but they are also extremely thorough—our surveyors work to develop a complete understanding of materials and construction in the area of concern. Our assessments are carried out via detailed moisture mapping and thermal imaging surveys, and the results and possible solutions explained in full reports.
We cover all areas inside the M25, and offer damp inspections for just £199 + VAT, damp and timber inspections for just £299 + VAT and damp, timber and thermal imaging surveys for just £399 + VAT.
Call now on 020 7523 5882 to book a survey from a qualified damp expert, or book a damp survey online using our contact form.
What kinds of damp can Independent Damp Surveyor deal with?
Damp is not all the same—there are actually several different types of damp that commonly affect property owners. Not every type of damp has the same cause and requires the same solution. Our surveys will establish the exact type of damp so that we can offer recommendations that get to the root of the problem and eliminate it for good. So, what are the different types of damp that we typically encounter?
Rising Damp
Rising damp is often talked about, yet is actually one of the rarest forms of damp to come across. One of the reasons that rising damp is so widely discussed is that underqualified tradespeople often misdiagnose other forms of damp as rising damp. Incorrect damp information not only leads to many people believing it to be a much more common problem than it actually is, but it also results in the incorrect treatment being applied and the issue not being resolved. This is why it is essential to use a qualified and experienced damp specialist.
Another issue is that some unreputable tradespeople will deliberately misdiagnose any and all low-level damp as rising damp in order to sell more expensive “solutions”! As a trusted and certified independent damp surveyor, we carry out extensive external and internal surveys in order to correctly diagnose any low-level damp.
True rising damp is found in the walls of buildings and is caused by moisture from the ground (such as rainfall) being absorbed up through the base of walls. This moisture then travels upwards via capillary action through tiny holes in the bricks.
In the case of most properties, a barrier known as a DPC (or damp proof course) is put in place during construction in order to prevent rising damp. DPCs are made of waterproof, non-absorbent materials—traditionally slate, but plastic damp proofing is more common in newer builds.
Rising damp is much more likely in older builds where the damp proof course has deteriorated or was never installed at all! Some mistakes during construction can also reduce the efficacy of DPCs, such as debris or insufficient insulation materials in wall cavities, or renders overlapping DPCs. These errors enable moisture from the ground to move above the DPC and rise through the wall.
While rising damp is much rarer than often believed, it can cause serious problems if untreated. Not only can it cause decorative damages, but can also weaken the physical structure of your home and reduce the efficiency of insulation. Not to mention, the smell is often unpleasant and it can be harmful to respiratory health.
As well as a musty smell, signs of rising damp include wet patches on walls, flaking or “bubbling” plaster, crumbling bricks or mortar, and rotting skirting boards.
Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is one of the forms of damp often misdiagnosed as rising damp when it is discovered at a low level. However, penetrating damp is an entirely different form of damp. Instead of moisture travelling upwards, this type of damp sees it travel horizontally or even downwards.
There are a few different causes of penetrating damp. One is rainwater reaching the external surface of a wall due to wind, and then moving into the building internally via tiny holes in the brickwork. Once it reaches the internal surface of the wall, it is kept in place by warmth rather than evaporating. Chimney stacks or leaking roofs are other common routes of entry for penetrating damp. If untreated, penetrating damp can cause serious issues such as wet or dry rot, or water or frost damage internally and externally.
This form of damp is usually found in buildings with non-breathable renders, such as those made of cement-based materials. Most houses built during or after the 1980s use cavity wall designs to reduce the chances of penetrating damp affecting the property.
Another common cause of penetrating damp is floor levels (internal or external) being elevated above a DPC. This often leads to penetrating damp being misdiagnosed as rising damp.
There are a few signs of penetrating damp to look out for, such as damp stains on ceilings or external walls, wet or crumbling plaster, black mould spores, and drips.
Because penetrating damp can have so many different causes, it is vital to determine the exact cause in order to correctly treat the problem. The wrong diagnosis from a damp survey can result in you paying unnecessarily high prices for treatments that won’t fix the issue. Our surveyors are aware of all potential causes of this damp, and carry out thorough inspections in order to find the right diagnosis.
Condensation
Condensation is one of the most recognisable forms of damp. While condensation is usually most noticeable as droplets of water on windows, it can also appear on other surfaces where it is typically easier to miss. Condensation-related damp is often misdiagnosed as other forms of damp, and expensive treatments recommended unnecessarily.
The most common cause of condensation is our own behaviour. Condensation comes from airborne moisture generated within, rather than outside of, the home. This moisture is usually steam from showers, baths, cooking, or other everyday household occurrences. This doesn’t mean you should stop using hot water, of course—but it is important to tackle condensation before it spreads and potentially causes structural damage to your property.
Moisture becoming trapped inside and condensing is often due to an increase in levels of insulation and the blocking of draughts. Although insulation is great for keeping our heating bills low, there is a balance to be struck here.
Some ventilation is important—for example, opening windows for even a few short minutes a day can prevent too much condensation from forming. Wiping condensation from windows using a piece of kitchen roll or a towel can also help.
If condensation is not dealt with and is allowed to spread, it can lead to mould growing on surfaces. Not only can mould cause unsightly stains (in some cases permanent) and affect our health, but it can also penetrate walls and damage the integrity of structures in the same way that other forms of damp can. This extremely common and seemingly minor problem can actually have severe consequences over time if not addressed.
Condensation is usually not difficult to detect—water droplets on windows and mould on or around window frames are usually the first signs. Dealing with condensation usually only requires simple life changes that you can carry out yourself, but condensation being misdiagnosed as other forms of damp can result in costly “treatments”. Independent Damp Surveyor can carry out a detailed damp inspection to determine if your damp problem is just condensation or something more structural.
Timber Rot
In buildings with frames, walls, or floors made of timber, damp can have another troublesome effect—timber rot. Timber rot is caused by species of fungi that live inside wood. These fungi can be separated into two categories; wet rot fungi and dry rot fungi.
Wet rot fungi only grow in wood with a high moisture content (around 50%), so damp typically has to be severe and long-lasting to cause wet rot. Dry rot, on the other hand, is a result of a single specific fungus that can grow in wood with much lower moisture content. The dry rot fungus is made up of spores that are always in the air around us. These spores can live in dry timber for many months or even years and cause no damage, however, the presence of moisture can cause these dormant spores to germinate and fungus to spread.
Either form of timber rot can result in severe degradation of the strength of the timber, potentially leading to dangerous structural damage to your property. Signs of timber rot include cracks in wood, visible growth of whitish fungus, and a fungal odour.
Timber rot can occur as a result of any form of damp—where there is moisture in a property, fungi can grow on timber. To reduce the chances of timber rot, any patches of damp should be addressed and treated, even if they have not yet reached any timber. Fixing any issues with ventilation, condensation, or defective plumbing can help prevent the damp that can lead to timber rot.
If you are unfortunate enough to already have timber rot on your property, it is important to work out whether it is dry or wet rot, as each may require a different treatment. A professional damp and timber survey can correctly diagnose the problem. Our skilled damp detectives can provide you with an accurate damp and timber report.
Damp Basements
Basements are notorious for being hotspots for damp. Whether you want to use your basement as a living space or just for storage, damp can prove to be a major obstacle. You can often tell straight away when a basement is prone to damp, as the air will feel humid. You may also have stored items in cardboard boxes and noticed the cardboard becoming soft or even moist to the touch over time.
You may think that damp isn’t much of a problem if it is confined to the basement, especially if you don’t use your basement for much. However, basement damp can spread to other areas of your house, affect air quality, and even cause structural damage.
Many of the causes of damp basements are due to the construction of the building. For example, older houses often lack under-floor drainage systems. Other potential causes include problems with grading, guttering systems, or the sump pump if your house has one. Anywhere at the base of the house that ground water is able to accumulate is a potential cause of basement damp, as it can often penetrate into the walls.
However, some causes are easier to deal with. When damp is due to condensation or leaks, you may be able to tackle it by improving ventilation or fixing damaged pipes. A dehumidifier can also be a simple solution. Independent Damp Surveyor can help you to determine the causes of damp in your basement so you know whether or not to consider extensive damp proofing renovations.
Leaks
You have probably experienced leaks in the home at some point. You may have been alerted by visible or audible dripping or trickling of water coming from a pipe, wall, or other fixture. However, some leaks are unfortunately harder to detect, and are therefore able to continue causing damage for a much longer time before they are addressed.
Leaks are a common cause of damp in the home. Even the tiniest leaks can result in saturation and internal damp. When it comes to the smallest leaks, it is likely that the damp will be discovered before any running water is. You may not even know that there is a leak at all, and instead, believe the problem to be another form of damp.
Leaks can be caused by internal or external water pipes becoming damaged by cracks, or by seals/joints becoming corroded over time. Another common cause of leaks is blockages in external or internal drains.
Of course, serious leaks can cause obvious water damage to decorations, furniture, and other household possessions, and in some cases can even cause flooding. Smaller leaks, however, are more likely to result in damp, which can cause less obvious (but often equally harmful) structural damage.
Leaks can affect any property with running water. Leak-related damp can often resemble rising or penetrating damp, yet the cause is hugely different and is vital to determine before a treatment is applied. Signs that an area of damp may be due to a leak include visible damage to pipes or seals and blocked drains. As well as in areas with plumbing, leaks are also common in locations such as on or near window frames (due to poorly-fitted windows), below flat roofs or roof channels, and around chimneys.
Independent Damp Surveyor use sophisticated leak detection equipment in order to differentiate between this and other forms of damp so that we can recommend the ideal solution.
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 tester
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.
Borescope camera
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.
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
Level 2 Survey: £299 + VAT
Level 3 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.
An independent damp surveyor plays a vital role in discovering and diagnosing damp issues in a property. Their responsibilities include:
Finding the Cause: They are committed to finding the source and cause of the dampness on your property, offering a money-back guarantee if they cannot identify the problem.
Quick and Efficient Service: Surveys are carried out within 48 hours by certified surveyors (CSRT, CSSW, and CSCS), and a report of the findings is sent the same day.
Thorough Inspection: The surveyors develop a complete understanding of materials and construction in the area of concern, using detailed moisture mapping and thermal imaging surveys.
Dealing with Various Damp Types: They are equipped to diagnose and recommend solutions for different types of dampness, including rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, timber rot, basement damp, and leaks.
Clear Pricing: They offer transparent pricing for their services, with specific rates for damp inspections and combined damp and timber inspections.
Wide Coverage: They cover all areas inside the M25, making their services accessible to a broad range of property owners in London.
By employing an independent damp surveyor like us, property owners can receive an unbiased and accurate assessment of damp issues, leading to effective and targeted solutions.
Choosing an independent damp surveyor ensures an unbiased and accurate assessment of damp issues. They provide objective, expert recommendations without pushing unnecessary products, using advanced techniques to diagnose the specific problem in your property. With transparent pricing and guarantees like “find the cause or your money back,” independent surveyors offer a trustworthy and cost-effective solution. Their focus on your unique needs helps avoid misdiagnosis and ensures you get the right treatment, saving both time and money.
Surveys are usually done in 48 hours and the report is sent to you that same day.
All forms of damp are penetrative by nature; rising damp comes from the ground while penetrating damp can come from any location, including the roof. If exterior walls come in contact with water, this will likely lead to damp invading walls, as the building material draws moisture from exterior sources.
A damp survey and a moisture metre test are two different approaches to identifying and diagnosing damp issues, each with its scope and purpose:
Damp Survey:
A comprehensive examination of a property to diagnose and recommend solutions for damp issues. Conducted by certified surveyors using various techniques, including moisture metres. Results in a detailed report with findings and treatment recommendations.
Moisture Metre Test:
A specific tool is used to measure moisture content in materials like walls and floors. Provides immediate readings of moisture levels, helping to identify damp spots. Part of the diagnostic process doesn’t provide a full diagnosis or treatment plan.
The process of a damp survey involves several key steps to identify, diagnose, and recommend solutions for damp-related problems:
Initial Contact: Scheduling an appointment with a certified damp surveyor, often following a discussion of the perceived issues.
On-Site Inspection: The surveyor conducts a thorough visual inspection of the property, examining walls, floors, ceilings, and other areas for signs of dampness.
Use Diagnostic Tools: Tools such as moisture metres, thermal imaging, and hygrometers may be used to detect moisture levels and identify the type and source of damp.
Identifying the Cause: The surveyor diagnoses the specific cause of the damp, whether it’s rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, etc.
Recommending Solutions: Based on the diagnosis, the surveyor recommends appropriate treatments, repairs, or preventive measures.
Preparing a Report: A detailed report is prepared, outlining the findings, diagnosis, and recommended treatments, often including cost estimates.
Follow-Up: The surveyor may offer follow-up support or consultation to ensure that the recommended treatments are carried out effectively.
Ignoring dampness in your home can lead to serious consequences, including structural damage that weakens building materials, health issues from mould growth, a decrease in property value, and unsightly aesthetic damage. The longer damp is left untreated, the more extensive and costly the repairs can become. Dampness can also reduce energy efficiency and attract pests like termites. Prompt professional assessment and treatment are essential to prevent these risks and maintain the integrity and value of your home.
You may need a damp survey for your property if you notice signs of damp or moisture-related issues. Common indicators include:
Visible Damp Spots: Wet or damp patches on walls, ceilings, or floors.
Mould or Mildew Growth: Presence of mould or mildew, often accompanied by a musty smell.
Peeling Wallpaper or Paint: Wallpaper or paint that’s bubbling, peeling, or cracking.
Salt Deposits: White, powdery salt deposits on surfaces, known as efflorescence.
Structural Concerns: Crumbling or softening of building materials, such as plaster or wood.
Health Symptoms: Unexplained respiratory issues or allergies that may be linked to dampness.
Buying or Selling a Property: If you’re buying or selling a property, a damp survey can provide peace of mind and transparency about potential damp issues.
Preparing your property for an upcoming damp survey helps the surveyor access all necessary areas and conduct a thorough assessment. Here’s how you can prepare:
Clear Access: Ensure that all areas to be surveyed are easily accessible. Move furniture, rugs, or other obstructions away from walls, especially in areas where you suspect damp.
Remove Personal Items: Clear personal items from shelves, windowsills, and other surfaces that may need to be inspected.
Provide Access to Basements and Attics: If these areas are part of the survey, make sure they are accessible and well-lit.
Inform the Surveyor: If you’ve noticed specific signs of damp or have particular concerns, let the surveyor know in advance so they can pay special attention to those areas.
Pets and Children: Consider arrangements for pets or young children to ensure they are safe and not in the way during the survey.
Utilities: Ensure that utilities like electricity are working, as the surveyor may need them for testing and inspection tools.
Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask the surveyor beforehand. They can provide specific guidance on how to prepare your property.
Yes, our surveyors are experts in their field and aside from being (CSRT), (CSSW) and (CSCS) certified, they also have significant industry experience.
If you’re unsure of the level of survey you need, please call us on 020 7523 5882.
We can schedule the damp survey within a few days, and we’ll send a comprehensive report and findings to you within 24 hours. That way you can quickly decide on next steps.
If you have any questions about damp surveys, general damp worries or want to find out about booking a survey, please call us on 020 7523 5882.