The wet climate we experience in northern Europe doesn’t seem to be getting any better, days pass without the Sun peeking through a thick wall of cloud, add to that the record high rainfall in the past 3 years and you have the perfect conditions for damp to attack your home.
In this short article, we take a look at various forms of damp and mould that can damage your London home.
- Rising damp – Moisture from the ground can destroy a building if there are no damp-proofing solutions in place. Every single house in the UK would be protected by a damp proof course; typically a bitumen membrane that is laid on top of a course of bricks at ground level; when the DPC is damaged, moisture rises up the walls in a capillary action, causing a lot of damage to building materials. There are chemical solutions when traditional damp proof course is impractical; special foam is injected into the walls near ground level and this provides an effective barrier to ground moisture.
- Penetrating damp – Damp can come from the roof, the walls or the ground; crumbling brickwork and mortar lead to water penetration, with driving rain making it worse. Once moisture gets into the exterior walls, damage is inevitable and the longer it goes unaddressed, the costlier the repairs are. One of the busiest service industries, damp proofing in London is the best solution for property owners with damp issues. At London Damp Surveys, we have a team of fully qualified damp surveyors, covering every London borough, give us a call on 0207 305 5997 and we will arrange for one of our surveyors to inspect your home. It could be a leaking roof that leads to timber decay and in worst-case scenarios, joists and rafters need to be replaced. Timber should be coated with several layers of protection; remove all timber that has been compromised and be proactive with regular inspections.
- Condensation – When there is excessive moisture in the air, condensation will form, especially if there is no ventilation; this could be caused by a breach of exterior walls or even rising damp. It is important to find the underlying cause of the water build-up and carry out damp proofing as soon as possible. Improving the ventilation will have a positive effect on excessive moisture, open a few windows, turn on extractor fans and heat the space after the air is circulated. It is important to dry out the air in a poorly ventilated room.
- Mould & mildew – Mould grows in the right conditions, a damp and humid atmosphere with no ventilation would quickly produce mould, releasing tiny spores that can cause respiratory issues. If you see signs of mould forming in your home, you need a professional damp assessment from London Damp Surveyors; using cutting-edge tech such as thermal imagery and moisture meters, our trained damp inspectors can pinpoint the cause and recommend remedial work.
As we move into the summer months, this is the right time to have your home surveyed for damp and mould by a leading London company. You will receive a detailed written report when the survey is completed.
