The wet climate we experience here in the UK is a major reason why damp is a serious threat to homes, we have far more rain than we should and we hardly ever see the Sun; all this adds up to a climate that allows damp to thrive. If you are planning to buy a property in London or you haven’t checked your home for a few years, you should arrange for London Damp Surveys to carry out a thorough damp inspection.
Rising damp
This refers to moisture that rises up from the ground; damp rises by capillary action and all buildings should have a damp proof course that prevents moisture from rising. Older properties usually have a bitumen-based strip that is placed between courses of brickwork at ground level, which can be damaged by ground subsidence. It can be very difficult to replace a damp proof course, as it sits between courses of brickwork, however, chemical damp-proofing is an effective alternative; injecting a chemical into walls can prevent moisture from rising up a building and in many cases, DPC injection the most effective option.
Penetrating damp
When moisture penetrates a building from any location other than the ground, it is called penetrating damp, it could enter through the roof or the exterior walls or even rotten timber window frames. A roof inspection is definitely recommended to ensure that there are no missing or broken roof tiles, plus the guttering should be cleared of wet leaves, moss growth and small twigs, as this can cause rainwater to run down the exterior walls.
Condensation
Condensation forms when there is excessive moisture in the air and also when extreme temperatures meet on a surface. There are ways that you can prevent condensation, such as generating an airflow by either opening windows or the use of extractor fans. Condensation forms when you take a hot bath or shower and when cooking in the kitchen and with ventilation, it can be quickly dissipated, yet if there is excessive moisture in the air, this also leads to condensation. If your interior suffers with condensation, you need to get to the bottom of the issue by arranging for London Damp Surveys to carry out a detailed inspection to discover the root cause and offer condensation solutions.
Woodworm, wet and dry rot
Timber decay is a real threat to UK homes; the common furniture beetle and the death watch beetle are two species that reside in the UK and they burrow tiny holes in wood and lay their eggs. If you notice tiny holes with small piles of dust nearby, you have woodworm in your home and if not treated, this will cause serious damage to timber.
Whether you are planning to make an offer on a London property or you have noticed signs of damp in your home, call us at London Damp Surveys on 0207 305 5997 anytime or sill in the online form on this website and we can arrange for one of our certified damp surveyors to insect the property and you receive a detailed report soon after the survey has been completed.
