Damp Proofing
We find the real cause of damp, whether rising, penetrating or condensation, fix it properly and make good, with honest advice from the first visit.
Damp is one of the most misdiagnosed problems in British homes. The same stained wall can be caused by water rising from the ground, rain getting in from outside, or moisture from everyday living settling on a cold surface, and each one needs a completely different fix. We start by finding the real cause, then put it right and make good.
Finding the cause first
Every job starts with a proper look: where the damp is, how high it goes, what the outside of the building is doing and how the room is used. We check gutters, downpipes, pointing, render and ground levels as well as the wall itself. Moisture meter readings are only part of the picture, because salts in old plaster can make a dry wall read wet, so we explain what we find in plain English and show you the evidence.
Rising damp
Rising damp happens when water from the ground soaks up through brick or stone because the damp-proof course has failed, is missing, or has been bridged by a raised path, a flower bed or render taken down to the ground. It rarely climbs higher than about a metre and usually leaves a tide mark with white, powdery salts. Where a new damp-proof course is needed we inject a damp-proofing cream into the mortar, remove the salt-damaged plaster and replaster with a salt-resistant plaster, so the problem does not come back through the new finish.
Penetrating damp
Penetrating damp is rain getting in from outside: a blocked or leaking gutter, cracked render, worn pointing, a failed flashing or a leaking chimney. It can appear at any height and often grows after heavy rain. The fix is outside, repairing whatever is letting the water in, followed by drying out and making good inside.
Condensation and mould
Condensation is the most common cause of damp in homes. Warm, moist air from cooking, showers and drying washing settles on the coldest surfaces, and black mould follows. A damp-proof course will not cure it. Better extraction, background ventilation and steady heating usually will, and we will tell you honestly if that is all you need.
After the work
Walls take time to dry out after damp proofing, so we will tell you when it is safe to decorate and which paints to use. Our damp-proofing work comes with a written guarantee, and we explain exactly what it covers before you decide.
Questions people ask
Do I need a damp survey?
Not always. Send us a few photos through the quote form and tell us where the damp is. Often we can tell straight away whether it needs a visit, and if it does, we will agree the cost with you before we come out.
Is rising damp real? I've read it's a myth.
It is real, but it is much rarer than some reports suggest. A lot of damp blamed on the damp-proof course turns out to be condensation or rain getting in from outside. That is why we find the cause before recommending any treatment, and we will tell you if you do not need one.
How long do walls take to dry after a new damp-proof course?
A common rule of thumb is about a month for every 25 mm (one inch) of wall thickness, so a solid brick wall can take several months to dry out completely. Salt-resistant replastering lets you decorate sooner, and we will tell you when it is safe and which breathable paint to use.
Will a dehumidifier fix my damp?
It will help with condensation by taking moisture out of the air, and it speeds up drying after repairs. It will not stop rising damp or rain getting in, because the water keeps coming. Fix the cause first.
My mortgage survey says there's damp. What should I do?
Surveyors often flag high meter readings and recommend a specialist report. Get in touch with the survey details and some photos. We will inspect, find the actual cause and give you a written report and quote you can pass to your lender.
Is it damp? Find the likely cause
Answer five quick questions about what you can see. It is a guide, not a survey, but it will point you in the right direction.
Not sure what the problem is?
Send a photo and we'll tell you honestly — no charge, no pressure.