Why Every London Home Needs a Professional Damp Survey
Damp has been a danger for as long as humans have been building houses, and even today it is still common in cities like London, where houses must hold up against high rainfall and an increasingly humid climate. A professional damp survey can identify damp issues early and make sure your London home is properly protected against them. Here’s everything you need to know about damp surveys and why they matter for your London home.
The Dangers of Damp
Most of us are familiar with the visible defects that damp causes, such as dark wall patches, black mould, and warped wooden floors. But it’s important not to underestimate damp, because cosmetic issues like these are just the tip of the iceberg of what it can cause. If it is left untreated for long enough, you and your family could end up facing serious structural problems in your home and poor health.
Why London Properties Are Affected
Homes in London face some challenges that make them prone to damp. The first is that many of the buildings are old, meaning they did not benefit from modern knowledge, prevention methods, or regulations related to damp when they were constructed. Next is the city’s famously high rainfall, and its density is also a factor because it means many properties suffer from poor ventilation. All of these can cause moisture to accumulate faster than it can escape, leading to damp.
How a Survey Can Help
A damp survey in London can help spot damp trouble on the horizon long before it ever becomes visible, let alone manages to do extensive damage. The surveyor will also diagnose the damp issue, identify its root cause, and provide long-term solutions to ensure it does not affect the property again for at least a few decades. In order to do all that, surveyors use a range of professional equipment, such as moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras.
Ideal Frequency of Damp Surveys
Damp surveys are often performed during the process of buying a property, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until you are selling up to have your home surveyed again. For well-maintained homes without any signs of damp, experts recommend that you should get a professional damp survey every 5-7 years. If you are in a particularly old property, or one that has had damp trouble in the past, you should have one done more frequently.
Choosing the Right Damp Surveyor
Not all damp surveyors are equally qualified. For example, there are general builders who have some knowledge about damp and will offer surveys, but they may not have as much expertise or experience as a certified specialist with a CSRT or CSSW qualification. Once you have found some qualified damp specialists in London, take a look at their reviews and testimonials to get an idea of the quality of their service.
If they also offer treatments, see how long their guarantee lasts. Reputable damp repair services back their work with lengthy guarantees, often lasting decades.
A damp survey is an excellent way to get ahead of damp issues and treat them before they develop into bigger problems. Contact London Damp Proofing Ltd on 0208 226 6330 to speak to a qualified damp surveyor today.