What Damp Surveys Entail

Many buildings will suffer from a damp problem of some sort throughout their existence, and people may take advantage of a damp survey for a variety of different reasons. At B P Preservations, we mainly work with building contractors who are working on a property and have found some evidence of damp that they want investigated. But if you own or are buying a new home or you’re a landlord who’s been informed of a damp problem by your tenant, you may also find it helpful to take advantage of a damp survey to inform your next steps.

What a Damp Survey Checks

It’s always best to choose a specialist in damp treatment to carry out a survey. They will understand where hidden causes and effects of damp may be lurking and can pinpoint what work needs to be carried out to address the causes, rectify any damage that may have been done and prevent recurrence in future.

Your expert damp proofer in Hastings will ask you about any signs you have spotted, but because damp can be a tricky condition to locate and diagnose, they will also carry out a detailed inspection of their own. They will assess the overall condition of the property, which may provide them with clues as to where problems may exist. Broken roof tiles, dripping pipework or blocked guttering, for instance, could all be allowing moisture to enter the property at certain points, potentially giving rise to dry rot, wet rot, or woodworm.

The specialist will also take into account the construction of the building. Are the walls solid or cavity walls? Is there a damp proof membrane (DPM) installed? All the information gathered to date will inform the areas the specialist checks internally. Here, they will look for visible signs of damage, but will also use a damp meter to check for early indicators of problems that may not yet be visible on wall surfaces or floors.

Where elevated damp readings are found, the specialist will take further readings vertically and horizontally around the affected area to get an idea of how far the problem has spread and to what extent.

Throughout, the damp specialist will be taking notes and photographs to support the findings of this report and form the basis of recommendations for solving the issues.

What Happens Next

The specialist will report back on the nature and extent of the problem found. They will also inform you of the specific types of damp treatment needed to address the issues. Basement waterproofing or tanking, for instance, could form the basis of a successful rising damp treatment. Wall tie replacements might be needed to prevent problems arising from corroded or otherwise damaged existing wall ties. Property maintenance to repair the effects of storm damage or ongoing wear and tear on the building may be advised, like new wall rendering, guttering or roof repair. And they will also advise on measures that will prevent problems recurring in future, such as wood restoration and wood preservation. Which recommendations you accept are entirely up to you, but it’s worth noting that damp rarely disappears by itself. Left untreated, damp can completely compromise the structural integrity of a building.

At B P Preservations in Hastings, we have over 20 years’ experience in carrying out free damp surveys and in the work required to provide long-lasting damp solutions. Why not call us today to find out more?