We all know how the climate has changed here in London, the past few years have seen a damp gloom fall over the British Isles and this is bad news for London homeowners. Above-average rainfall in the Thames Valley basin sees many London properties under attack from rising damp and with that in mind, here are a few tips from damp-proofing professionals on how to protect your London home from damp, mould and timber rot.
- Regular roof inspections – The roof is the most likely place for water to enter the building and when you consider the harsh climate and the punishment a roof must endure, it makes sense to have the entire roof inspected. Gale-force winds can lift roof shingles and a few missing tiles on the back side of the roof might go unnoticed, which would certainly cause serious damage to the roofing timbers. The guttering needs to be checked and all obstructions moved to ensure a passage for excess rainwater, while the chimney flashing can easily get damaged by flying debris.
- Internal walls and ceilings – If you spot a few damp stains on the upstairs ceilings, this is a sure sign that water is somehow getting into the loft and an immediate inspection is advised. Take a flashlight into the attic and inspect all joists and rafters; another good idea is to call London Damp Surveys and arrange for a surveyor to inspect your home.
- Generate a positive airflow – This can be done by opening windows and the use of extractor fans is an effective way to circulate air, which prevents the formation of mould and mildew; this should happen even in the cold winter, even if for only a few hours, it will move the air around and out of the house.
- Heating the whole house – Not so good for the wallet, however heating the entire house dries out any forms of damp, plus dry air does not promote mould or mildew. This should at least be a weekly exercise, depending on how humid the interior is. If you have a couple of LPG portable heaters, this is a relatively easy task; inspect each room as you dry it out and keep an eye out for peeling wallpaper and tide marks.
- Arrange for a damp inspection from London Damp Surveys – You can call us on 0207 305 5997 during regular hours, or you can fill in the form on this website. Our surveyors use state-of-the-art equipment to accurately determine the presence of damp, mould or timber rot.
Regular inspections should reveal any damp issues and we recommend having your home inspected in the summer months, prior to the onset of autumn and winter. Failure to spot signs of rising damp can lead to repairs in the thousands of pounds, something you should avoid at all costs.
Taking a proactive stance when it comes to building maintenance keeps repairs down to a minimum and with our pre-purchase survey, you can choose from 3 levels, plus we offer an add-on service for plaster lab analysis.
