Penetrating Damp

What is Penetrating Damp?

Damp comes in numerous forms and penetrating damp is moisture that enters a building from the roof, external walls or door and window frames, while rising damp comes from the ground. These two are often misdiagnosed and that can lead to wasted money on ineffective repairs; removing and replacing damaged plaster is not the solution, you need to first source the origins of the damp and carry out effective damp-proofing treatment. Rain is the primary cause of penetrating damp, which can either enter the building from the roof or external walls and timber frames.

Tell-Tale Signs of Penetrating Damp

The visible signs of penetrating damp include the following:

• Deteriorating plaster on interior walls
• Decaying timber frames
• Mould growth
• Musky smell in the house
• Stains and salt deposits on internal walls
• Moss growing on external walls
• Persistent damp patches that do not dry out

If you notice any of the above, don’t hesitate to contact London Damp Proofing and we will arrange for one of our PCA-certified surveyors to inspect your property and provide you with a detailed survey report the following day. If we recommend remedial work, we can put you in touch with a leading London damp-proofing company.

How to Treat Penetrating Damp

Effective treatment depends on the root cause; if, for example, the loft has damp issues due to a leaking roof, the leak must be repaired before the damaged timbers. Damaged plaster might be due to defective masonry or mortar, which must be addressed before the damaged plaster is removed and replaced with a waterproof render/plaster. Another potential cause of penetrating damp is compromised sealant around timber window frames, which leads to mould and timber decay.

The Importance of Regular Roof Inspections

Of course, the roof is a critical component of a structure, as it protects the interior from the harsh elements; any missing or dislodged roof tiles will result in rainwater penetrating the roof interior. This might not be apparent at first and significant damage can be caused before it is noticed. Our independent damp survey includes a thorough roof and loft inspection and if damp, mould, woodworm or timber rot are present, we will find it.

What Does an Independent Damp Survey Involve?

Our independent damp survey has 3 levels:

• Level 1 Damp Survey £199 + VAT – A thorough inspection of the internal and external walls, floors and ceilings, looking for signs of damp and mould.
• Level 2 Damp Survey £299 + VAT – All of level 1 plus a detailed examination of all timber sections, including joists, rafters and floor boards, looking for any signs of woodworm or timber rot.
• Level 3 Damp Survey – £399 + VAT – Levels 1 & 2 plus the use of thermal imagery, infrared cameras, drone imagery and borescope cameras to closely examine all aspects of the building. A ventilation flow test and RH testing are carried out.
• Additional service £299 + VAT – Plaster samples lab analysis, up to 10 samples are lab tested for an accurate moisture content measurement.

We like to offer our customers options when it comes to surveying for damp.

Pre-Purchase Damp Surveys

Anyone who is seriously thinking of making an offer on a London property should first book a pre-purchase damp survey from London Damp Specialists, as this is the only way to be absolutely certain that the property is damp and mould-free. In the event the survey reveals damp issues, you can negotiate with the seller by showing them the survey report.

The last thing you want is to discover that the property has damp issues a few months after making the purchase and this does occur, as damp can be concealed with plaster and coats of paint. It simply is not worth the risk of taking the seller’s word that the property is free from damp, mould and timber rot, especially when you consider that you can book a professional inspection from London’s leading damp survey provider.

We cover all London Boroughs and all areas within the M25 belt, call us or complete the online form on this website and we will get back to you in good time.