Moisture is a major enemy of London property owners, largely thanks to the wet and muggy climate we experience in the south of England. Damp, mould and timber decay can cause serious damage to a building and you need to take a proactive stance regarding damp, in order to protect your asset.
Regular roof inspections
The roof on your house is a critical component that is constantly under pressure from the harsh British climate and a few missing roof tiles could cause serious damage to roofing timbers. The cost of reroofing would be in the thousands, so you should inspect the roof timbers with a trip to the attic; take a flashlight and inspect all timbers, looking for damp, decaying timber and woodworm. Don’t wait until you notice damp stains on the upstairs ceilings, as the damage will already be done; if you would like a professional damp and mould inspection, we at London Damp Surveys are happy to send a qualified surveyor to assess your home for signs of damp, mould and timber rot.
Rising damp
Some underlying areas of London tend to hold water, due to the clay substrate; every building will have a damp proof course, which is a bitumen-based, thick strip that is inserted on a course of bricks during the build. This is effective at keeping moisture at bay, this layer can tear due to ground movement and once compromised, damp will rise up the walls. There are other ways to stop rising damp, a chemical DPC can be injected into the brickwork, providing a seal. Badly damaged walls would lead to an expensive fix, while timber frames need to be replaced.
Condensation on the walls
If there is no ventilation, droplets of water appear on the walls and windows, closely followed by mould and mildew; a damp survey involves testing plaster samples from various rooms, testing for moisture content. Opening a few windows would help; install a few extractor fans in the right locations and get the air circulating. If a room has peeling wallpaper and a musky smell, the room will have to be replastered and damp-proofing services are needed.
Woodworm
There are several species of beetle in the UK and they burrow tiny holes in timber, with small mounds of dust, where they lay their eggs. This destroys the wood and if not treated, the timber has to be removed and replaced. Woodworm can cause a lot of damage, whether the roof, floors, windows and doors, so regular inspections are advised.
Buying a London property
Such a big investment demands due diligence; contact London Damp Surveys on 0207 305 5997 and one of our certified damp inspectors will survey the property and you receive a detailed report within 24 hours of the survey finish. There are several levels to a damp survey, check our pre-purchase survey page for more details. If there are issues, you can show the report to the seller and negotiate a discount for damp-proofing services.
