Our amazing capital, London, sits on the Thames Valley Basin; a thick layer of clay prevents drainage and that leaves London homes under threat of rising and penetrating damp. That said, there are things that you can do to prevent or reduce damp, mould and timber decay, which we present in this short blog.
- Regular roof inspections – The roof is a critical component of any building and should it be compromised, rainwater can easily enter the internal structure, causing damage to joists and rafters. It only takes a few missing roof tiles to give rainwater entry into the building, while blocked guttering can send excess rainwater running down the exterior walls. Our surveyors use drones to get a close-up view of every square inch of the roof, taking images and video when required. Storm damage is common and you should inspect the roof after heavy rain and gale force winds.
- Generating ventilation – Damp thrives in still, humid air and one way to prevent the onset of mould is to generate a strong airflow, which helps to remove excess moisture from the atmosphere. Opening a few windows is one way to circulate the air, while extractor fans also move the air; install one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen and use them correctly to generate the circulation of air.
- Turn on the central heating – The good thing about central heating is that you can control which rooms in the house are heated by turning radiators on or off; of course, you don’t normally heat rooms that are not in use, unless there is moisture in the air. Heating the whole house a couple of times a week removes a lot of the moisture in the air and when you consider the importance of drying out the air, it is an acceptable energy cost. You could also use portable heaters to dry out rooms, which is an effective way to reduce excess moisture. If you have a dehumidifier, this can help to reduce the moisture levels.
- Additional insulation – Doubling up on your loft insulation is a wise move, as this slows down heat loss through the roof. Hot air rises, as you know, and the more heat you can trap in the interior, the less energy you use. Cavity wall insulation is a very effective way to prevent heat loss in a building and if you have cavity walls, you should look into this type of insulation, which involves injecting a special foam into the wall cavities.
At London Damp Surveys, we offer a comprehensive damp inspection for London homeowners, using cutting-edge equipment, our surveyors provide accurate assessments on damp, mould and timber rot; call us on 0207 305 5997 during office hours or fill in the form on this website and we will arrange an inspection at a date and time that is convenient for you. You will receive a detailed report within 24 hours of the survey completion.
