Penetrating Damp
Do you think your home has penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp can be witnessed in buildings of any age when there is excessive rain to face or older structures with porous bricks or blocked gutters and cracked roofing. Whatever the situation, penetrative damp can seriously harm both the structure and the occupants. Penetrative damp is nothing but rainwater penetrating the masonry.
Penetrative damp is also known as rain penetration and it is caused by the horizontal movement of moisture or rainwater seeping through the walls at random points at all levels of a building, forming isolated patches of dampness on external walls after heavy rain. Rain penetration affects poorly installed wall ties or cavity walls, internal walls and buildings with solid wall construction.
Penetrative damp is mainly caused by a defective building or the presence of porous bricks allowing water to permeate through the walls.
Watch this video to find out more!
Signs of Penetrative Damp
- Damp patches at any level on internal walls that don’t dry
- Deterioration of plaster and paint
- Appearance of blisters, stain and salt
- Timber starting to decay and rot
- Skirting boards and window frames rotting
- Mould growth on internal decorations
- Damp as well as mould smell
- Moss growth on external walls
Penetrative damp can be identified with watermarks or damp patches isolated from windows or doors at any height
High readings can be found on the moisture detector while its raining but can also show low moisture readings when its dry.
Fix the problem at once, call in the experts at London Damp Specialists on 020 7458 4864.
What causes penetrating damp?
Rainwater permeating the wall horizontally is known as penetrating damp, and it is frequently the result of blown renders, clogged gutters, and downpipes. Additionally, roofing and window casings need to be inspected for deterioration, rotting, and cracks.
External basement and retaining walls must be protected from constant moisture intrusion by tanking treatments and interior walls by a chemical DPC and waterproof renders.
Building defects such as faulty roofs or windows must be rectified with proficient builders.
All our work is covered by a no-quibble 30 year guarantee at no additional cost.
How to treat penetrative damp
Penetrative damp treatment is more sophisticated than ever before.
Penetrative damp caused by poor cavity wall construction and wall tie installation on the damp internal walls can be set right with damp proof renders. It is occasionally necessary to treat exterior walls with water-repellent creams and paints in addition to weather-resistant paints and coatings. Blocked gutters and downpipes must be cleaned and cracked roof tiles must be repaired.
Breathable colourless water repellents allow moisture to escape rather than blocking them. Window sills and other water storage must be cleaned from dirt, moss growth and leaves.
Cement tanking and render systems can be introduced to treat penetrative damp problems caused by high external ground levels.
Penetrating damp treatments can include:
- Plaster removal
- Salt neutraliser
- Tanking Slurry
- Waterproof render
- Applying skim coat plaster
- Applying new external render
- Sealing exterior walls with clear waterproof sealer
Penetrating damp is a serious, complex problem
Which is why 1000’s of home owners have used London Damp Specialists. If you need expertise and skilled Damp Specialists Book your survey today or call us direct on 020 7458 4864.
Customer Testimonials
Yes, any structure can be damaged by rising damp, mould, penetrating damp, condensation, although the older the house, the more likely damp will be present. If damp is present in a new house, you should contact the builder, as you should be covered by their warranty.
Yes, wallpaper and paint can temporarily conceal damp issues, but they worsen over time and promote mould growth. They don’t address the underlying problem of moisture. It’s crucial to identify and fix the source of dampness for long-term solutions.
We do not require payment until the work is dry and you are satisfied with the service.
We usually prepare a paper copy, plus the report is emailed to the customer and this usually happens within 24 hours. If you suspect that your home has damp issues, call us on 020 7458 4864 or fill in the form on our website.
There are two main types of damp, namely rising damp and penetrating damp and the difference is that rising damp comes from the ground, while penetrating damp can enter a building at any location.
Of course, the foreman would give you a clear understanding of the work to be carried out, plus he would be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you are interested, they would impart their knowledge, helping you to gain a deeper understanding of what is being done, plus they can give you a few tips to prevent condensation.
Our 5 Step Process
01
Initial Consultation
Tell us about your damp issue and we’ll guide you on next steps. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions and gather information.
02
Site Visit
Next, we visit your property to find the root cause of the issue. We’ll also assess the local environment, and take measurements or observations.
03
No Obligation Quote
Then we’ll send a detailed estimate of the costs involved, with no hidden extras, and provided to you without any commitment. You can review the financial aspect before making any decisions.
04
Work Carried Out
Our expert team carries out the work as planned, to the agreed timeline and quality standards, with minimum disruption to you.
05
Payment
The last step is payment, once the work’s complete, your home is dry and you’re satisfied with the results.
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: