The wet weather we experience here in London is often a conversation starter and over the past few years, we have seen record rainfall coupled with endless days of thick cloud. While this muggy weather does little to make people happy, it does present a very real threat to buildings, in the form of damp, mould and timber decay.
In this short article, we offer a guide on how to inspect a London home for signs of damp, mould and timber rot.
- Roof inspection – If the roof of your home is compromised, water can enter the internal roof structure, which will cause damage. Of course, the entirety of the roof cannot be seen from the ground, which is why regular roof inspections are advised. Aside from inspecting roof shingles, the guttering should be cleaned out and free from obstacles; a blocked section of guttering would send rainwater running down the exterior walls, which can lead to penetrating damp. You should also take a flashlight into the loft and closely inspect all timbers, looking for signs of damp, mould, woodworm and timber rot.
- Exterior walls inspection – Start at ground level and check for signs of damage to brickwork, mortar and render; moss growth is a sign of dampness, as is crumbling mortar. You can use a screwdriver to poke the substrate to see if it crumbles, then inspect all exterior walls to the roof level and investigate any anomalies. There would be a damp proof course set into the lower courses of bricks, which prevents ground moisture from rising and if the DPC membrane is damaged, damp can rise up the walls.
- Interior walls & ceilings – Check ceilings and walls for damp patches, tide marks and any sign of damage, do this in every room and take note of condensation, as this can damage building materials. Inspect timber windows and door frames, and watch for signs of woodworm and small holes with tiny piles of dust that insects use to bury their eggs. If there is condensation on the windows or walls, this needs to be investigated; call London Damp Surveys and arrange for one of our surveyors to inspect your home.
- Mould & mildew – Mould thrives in damp, humid conditions and it is considered a health hazard; breathing in the tiny mould spores can lead to serious respiratory issues, as well as causing skin allergies. If you notice mould in your home, you need to call London Damp Surveys on 0207 305 5997 during office hours or fill in the online form on this website.
Damp can cause serious damage to a London property and if you even suspect that damp is present, contact London Damp Surveys and arrange for one of our experienced damp surveyors to inspect your home for damp, mould and timber rot. You will receive a detailed report within one day of the survey completion, which would include remedial work recommendations, should it be required.
