Surveying London properties for damp and mould is a huge industry, largely due to the constant damp and drizzly weather we experience in this part of the world. Today’s damp surveyor makes good use of available technology to accurately assess London homes, which we outline in this short article.
- Thermal imagery – A thermal imagery camera is used to identify areas with high moisture content, the device detects temperature differences and can help a surveyor quickly hone in on excessive damp areas. An essential device that every damp surveyor would carry; within a few minutes, the surveyor can pinpoint areas with high humidity, then use other equipment to further investigate and identify the source of the moisture. Used specifically to identify damp areas, this is a time-saver and time costs money.
- Moisture meter – There are two types of moisture meter; namely pinned and pinless and both are used to accurately measure moisture content, with the pinned variety being used to measure moisture content inside timber and plaster. This device is used to measure moisture content in walls, floors and ceilings. Surveyors would carry both types and they would both be used on a wide range of building materials such as brick, render, timber and mortar.
- Hygrometer – This device accurately measures relative humidity; a reading of 70% or higher indicates a damp issue. All damp surveyors would have at least one, perhaps two hygrometers, in case one malfunctions.
- Endoscopic camera – Also known as a peephole camera, this device enables the inspector to see those hard-to-reach places; the camera has a small LED light to illuminate the area and this enables the surveyor to see under floorboards and other hard-to-reach places.
- Drone imagery – Hi-res cameras and a steady hover allows the surveyor to get close-ups in all above-head height locations. You might have a missing roof tile in a difficult-to-see location and a drone can scan the entire roof and even fly slowly along guttering to check for blockages or damage.
- High-end laptop – The surveyor uses a laptop to store data and create detailed reports (often with images) for the client. Drone footage is uploaded and hi-res images detail issues, when you receive the report, it is a comprehensive breakdown of critical data and may include remedial work recommendations. The report is typically emailed to the client within one working day of the survey, while the surveyor is happy to answer any questions you might have.
At London Damp Surveys, all of our surveyors are fully certified and they make the best use of available technology to bring our clients accurate inspections along with recommendations, if necessary. We cover all London Boroughs; our pre-purchase survey has 3 levels, plus an add-on plaster analysis service.
Call on 0207 305 5997 and we will arrange for one of our surveyors to inspect your London property. We specialise in basement surveys, many London homes have below-ground living space; we inspect and provide you with comprehensive data, including recommended solutions. We have close working relationships with the best damp-proofing teams in the UK, if you are ready to go ahead with the damp-proofing.
