The seasons we enjoy here in the UK are very pronounced, with perhaps the exception of summer, a season we can never seem to predict; some would say we have wet weather 12 months a year and we couldn’t really argue with that.
Here are a few top tips to prevent seasonal damp from damaging your London home.
- Arrange a roof inspection – A leaking roof is a common cause of internal roof timber damage and London homeowners typically book a roof inspection prior to the arrival of winter. The inspection involves checking for broken or missing roof tiles, inspecting soffit and fascia boards for damage, while also cleaning out the guttering. The roof is the most important component of any building, as it protects the structure from the harsh elements and we recommend an annual inspection, with prompt repairs carried out when necessary.
- Regular heating of the whole house – There are probably rooms that you don’t use much, so the heating would be turned off in those rooms for obvious reasons, yet you should heat all the rooms in the house at least one time per week, which prevents damp from taking hold. If you have central heating, it is easy enough to turn all radiators on; if you do not have central heating, use portable heaters to warm up rooms that you don’t use.
- Generate good airflow – Lack of ventilation can cause damp and condensation to form, which can damage plaster, brickwork and timber. You can create natural airflow by opening selective windows, or you can install extractor fans at both ends of the house and generate an airflow this way. Open the bathroom windows and door after taking a hot bath or shower, which dissipates moisture quickly, the same goes for the kitchen when cooking.
- Book a damp survey with London Damp Surveys – We service all London Boroughs, carrying out a professional damp inspection throughout the property. The homeowner is issued with a detailed report within 24 hours of survey completion, plus we quote for any remedial work that we recommend. Call us on 0207 305 5997 during office hours or fill in the online form on this website and book a damp inspection sooner rather than later.
- Inspect exterior walls and the ground line – This is the area where rising damp can attack the property, if the damp proof course is damaged in any way, moisture can rise up the walls, damaging brickwork, timber and mortar. Look for moss growing on brickwork and use a screwdriver to check that the mortar has not been compromised.
As a London property owner, you need to take a proactive stance when it comes to damp and we hope that this article helps you to prepare for the long winters we experience here in the UK. If you would like one of our qualified damp surveyors to inspect your London home, call us or fill in the form on this website and we will be happy to arrange the survey.
