Damp Inspection Checklist: What Every Homebuyer Should Know
When making big financial commitments like buying a home, it is important to identify potential problems that could add to your costs later. One issue that every responsible homebuyer should be on the lookout for is damp. The initial signs of damp can be subtle, but it can quickly spread and cause structural damage. This article explores some red flags you can look out for while viewing properties, and other ways you can protect yourself before committing.
Exterior Clues
When viewing a property, you are probably excited to take a look inside. However, take a look at the exterior walls and the roof first. Damp can be caused by rainwater seeping in, so look for any places where it could do that, like missing roof tiles or cracks in the wall. Also, make sure the gutters seem to be in good condition, and that water is not pooling around the base of the property if it has recently rained.
Interior Clues
The first thing to check when entering a property is that the internal floor is higher than the ground level outside, then you can move onto inspecting the walls. Wet walls in the house would be an obvious sign of a problem, but often damp is more subtle. Look out for discolouration, tidemarks, peeling surfaces, and salt deposits. Also touch surfaces to see if any feel unusually cold, and check for a musty or mouldy smell in the house.
Floors and Skirting Boards
Floors can be affected by damp just like walls, especially on the ground floor. Warped wood, loose tiles, and damp carpets all suggest that there could be a damp problem lurking beneath them, often caused by a missing DPC membrane allowing moisture to rise up from the ground. And because damp leads to problems like wet rot and woodworm, skirting boards often show symptoms too. They may turn soft, crumble, or have their paint start bubbling or peeling off.
Windows and Ventilation
It is important to check windows too, as they can reveal a lot about the internal climate of a home. The main issues you should look for are holes in the seal that could cause water ingress, black mould around the frames, flaking windowsill paint, and condensation or misting on the glass. The last three are signs that the property suffers from high humidity and poor ventilation. Also, ensure there are extractor fans in humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.
Hire a Damp Surveyor
The above are signs of damp problems that you could easily spot during a viewing. However, they tell you little about the true extent of the damp problems, and their absence does not guarantee that there is no problem. That is why it is important to get a professional damp and timber survey during the process of buying a home. A surveyor can use specialist equipment to detect the most subtle signs of damp and identify their source.
If you are in need of a certified damp surveyor to assess your current or future home, get in touch with London Damp Proofing Ltd on 0208 226 6330, or email [email protected] today.