Why You Need a Specialist For a Damp Survey

Damp can be a serious issue for homeowners, especially in places with a lot of wet weather. It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking of buying a house or you already own a home; getting a damp proof specialist to carry out a damp survey of your property is the best way to avoid damp problems in the future.

What is a damp survey?

A damp survey involves assessing and having a detailed look into a property that has exhibited signs of damp-related issues or damage. These surveys are usually carried out by local London damp specialists who will inspect the property and determine the areas where the damp is present, the kind of damage that has already been done, its underlying causes and what can be done to remedy the situation.

What to expect from a damp survey?

After booking a survey, the specialist will visit your property to do an inspection which will also include asking the occupants questions about the concerns they have and any developments they’ve noticed with moisture in the building. The specialist then works through the building to identify the problem areas and look for the underlying causes of the damp.

What will a damp report include?

A damp report will contain details of everything that is being affected by the damp. The causes of the damage (such as; damp ingress from building defects, defects in external gutters and pipes, and cracking in the external render gaps around doors and window frames, faulty roof covering and a faulty DPC), recommended solutions for the damage and if requested, a proposed cost of all the needed repairs.

Why you need a specialist for a damp survey

Professional Qualification

Hiring a damp specialist to carry out your damp survey is the smart choice because part of what goes into a damp survey process includes; inspecting and identifying the exact type of damp issue your property has, investigating the underlying cause of the damp, analysing your existing DPC, providing a brief on what type of damp proofing your property might need and finally compiling a detailed report of the issues and the work that needs to be done.

All of these processes require a high level of training and qualification that only a certified damp specialist can offer. Ensure that the damp specialist you hire has surveyors with a Certified Surveyor of Timber and Dampness in Buildings (CSTDB) qualification, as this will help you rest easy knowing that your property is in the right hands and you will get accurate and professional advice on how to deal with your damp problems.

Older houses

While older houses can hold sentimental and aesthetic value, they do run a high risk of damp-related issues. This is because, unlike newer houses that were built with damp-proofing in mind, older properties were built in a way that the materials were given room to breathe without accounting for damp proofing, and the free airflow can allow moisture to get in.

So if you are buying or already own an older property, you should seriously consider hiring a specialist to carry out a damp survey. This will help you ensure that all issues that could potentially lead to damp are identified and fixed.

For your damp proof course (DPC)

Usually, when a building has no damp proof course installed or the existing one is compromised, issues with rising damp may arise and if left unattended, it can lead to serious drainage and mould problems. Hiring a damp specialist to carry out a damp survey will help determine if your DPC needs to be replaced or if certain adjustments need to be made to it.

Conclusion:

Hiring a specialist for your damp survey is a worthy investment regardless of whether you are a property owner or are thinking of purchasing a new property. This is because the survey will provide you with detailed information about any damp problems you might have, including the ones that might not be visible to the untrained eye. With this information, you can then proceed to make repairs with advice from a professional and prevent any future issues with damp on your property.