Your home is likely to be the biggest single investment you ever make, therefore, you need to be vigilant when it comes to building maintenance. London sits in the Thames Valley basin, a large piece of land that has a high water table, which means wet ground and all the dangers that come with it. Rising damp can cause significant damage, especially if the issue goes unnoticed for some months; moisture spreads with a capillary action, much like paper soaks up water.
What does a damp inspection involve?
At London Damp Surveys, we offer 3 levels of the pre-purchase property damp survey, from a thorough inspection of the entire building; we also offer an add-on plaster lab testing to determine accurate moisture content. All structure timbers are inspected, as are the exterior and interior walls are checked for signs of penetrating damp, mould and mildew. Check out our pre-purchase survey page for further details about the various levels of damp surveys, along with prices.
Lab analysis
An additional service we offer is lab analysis of plaster samples from multiple rooms, we take up to 10 samples of plaster from selected locations and we accurately assess the moisture content. This helps determine the overall condition of a property, which is important when planning to make a purchase.
Regular roof inspections
Any leak in the roof is likely to lead to internal roof timber damage; gale-force winds can easily lift roof shingles and if this is not noticed, moisture damage is inevitable. The guttering provides an important escape for excess rainwater and should there be a blockage, water runs down the exterior walls. We recommend inspecting your roof every 6 months, which should include going into the attic with a flashlight and inspecting those hard-to-reach areas.
Penetrating damp
Damp can penetrate exterior walls if the brickwork/mortar is compromised, which quickly leads to condensation and further damage. When you order a damp inspection from London Damp Surveys, all exterior and interior walls are inspected, along with the roof and all internal and external timbers.
Woodworm
There are two species of beetle that inhabit the UK, namely the common furniture beetle and the death watch beetle. These insects burrow tiny holes in timber and lay their eggs, which grow and consume timber, which destroys the material. Woodworm like a damp and humid environment and should you notice the tell-tale signs of tiny holes with small piles of wood dust, it is time to call in the experts.
Whether you are planning to purchase a property in London or you haven’t inspected your home for a few years, now is the perfect time to arrange a damp inspection from London Damp Surveys; call us on 0207 305 5997 or fill in your details in the online form and we can arrange to survey your home. The client receives a detailed report within 24 hours of survey completion.
