5 useful and essential damp inspection tips for a homeowner

It can be one of the proudest moments in someone’s life when they finally get the keys to a property and become a homeowner for the first time. They can look forward to the years ahead knowing that they will no longer pay rent to a landlord and can adapt their home to suit their preferences. However, it’s often anything but plain sailing, especially having bought an older property. Ageing can lead to issues, the same as it can in humans in our advancing years.

It might be that the home represented great value for money, but at the same time needs lots of work done to it so that it matches modern designs and standards. Something that should be taken seriously is finding a local company that provides damp repair services, such as our family-operated company at London Damp Proofing. Damp is a common issue in older properties and can be detected in the following 5 ways when inspecting the home before giving us a call.

1. While it is often a smart idea to call out the experts to carry out a comprehensive survey, even someone with no previous experience can inspect their home and identify any possible damp issues. The first of which are musty smells, which are easy to recognise. They are often found to be found more in basements and on walls, where damp will gradually become a major issue if not identified and then dealt with professionally.
2. It might be that damp proofing is one of our recommendations after a visit, as we make a rapid diagnosis and offer an estimate, so that the work can be planned financially. Walls, in the meantime, can be checked for discolouring and stains on them, which are telltale signs that damp is becoming an issue. It is important to check hidden places behind items of furniture and for damp penetration in basements.
3. Wallpaper will be affected by moisture and show obvious signs of damp, which should initiate a call to us at London Damp Proofing. The wallpaper and paint will show signs of peeling, which can also bubble and crack. Often, a smell will also accompany it. Depending on its location, it can mean that penetrating or rising damp requires work done to ensure that it doesn’t recur. We have several solutions available, depending on what is required.
4. Window frames and sills should form a part of any survey when looking for damp. They may have been badly fitted in the past, leading to condensation, which is caused by poor ventilation, leading to mildew or mould forming.
5. Damp proofing might be the answer once the external walls and gutters have been inspected and show signs of damp. It might be caused by cracks in the brickwork, missing roof tiles, or gutters that have become clogged through neglect.

Any homeowner should check for damp regularly, if anyone is in any doubt then call our friendly team on 0208 266 6330 so that we can provide the best advice.