Our capital city sits on a combination of bedrock and clay, which can hamper natural drainage and consequently many London homes have damp issues. At London Damp Surveys, we assess homes for damp, mould and timber rot and in this short blog, we outline the equipment we use to accurately determine if damp, mould or timber infestation are present.
- Hygrometer – This is a device that measures moisture in the air, which is an essential piece of kit for every damp surveyor. Relative Humidity (RH) is measured, which helps the surveyor to identify where moisture originates. This would be one of the first tests a surveyor would undertake to get a clear picture of the general humidity in each room.
- Thermal imaging – A thermal camera, also known as an infrared camera, detects and gives a visual display of the heat given off objects. This gives the surveyor an image of heat patterns in the space, blue indicates cooler materials while red is hot. A reading would be taken in every room of the house, including the loft and this gives the surveyor vital information on variant temperatures.
- Borescope camera – A peephole camera that can get close-ups of hard-to-reach places, such as under floorboards, under stairs and in basements and lofts. This remote visual inspection tool is a must-have for all damp surveyors, helping to locate dry and wet rot, woodworm, mould and mildew.
- Moisture meter – There are two types; a pinned and pinless variety, with the former enabling the measurement of moisture within a material such as timber, plaster or cement. Most surveyors have a combination meter and would also have a backup device. It is important to be able to accurately measure moisture in timber and plaster to assess remedial solutions.
- Scraper/screwdriver – A tool that can be used to probe exterior walls, looking for signs of damp, mould and mildew. Moss growth is an indication that building materials are compromised, scrape the vegetation away and take a close look at the material, looking for signs of breakdown.
- Rotating anemometer – A device used for measuring airflow; part of a damp survey is to undertake ventilation flow tests to establish the level and direction of airflow within a building. Ventilation is critical for drying out the atmosphere and whether natural or mechanical ventilation, it needs to be in place to reduce and remove moisture from the air and if the air is still, airflow should be generated.
- Salt test kits – Used to measure moisture in selected plaster samples, salt test kits help surveyors to determine the amount of moisture within walls. At London Damp Surveys, we offer plaster lab analysis and we sample up to 10 locations throughout the building.
If you are planning to make an offer for a London property, why not arrange for us to carry out a pre-purchase damp survey? This will tell you precisely if damp or mould are present and we issue a full report within 24 hours of the survey completion.
Call us on 0207 305 5997 and we will arrange for one of our damp surveyors to book a date and time to inspect your home.
