Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Chichester and across Sussex.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in Sussex properties, and one of the most commonly misdiagnosed. Tide marks, salty plaster and peeling paint can be caused by rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation or a plumbing leak, and each needs a completely different fix.
Our surveyors find the real cause first, so you only pay for the work your building actually needs.
On the Sussex coast, penetrating damp is often the bigger problem, with wind-driven rain forcing its way through tired render, pointing and parapets on Brighton, Hove and Eastbourne seafront terraces.
Inland, flint cottages and Wealden timber-framed houses frequently have no effective damp proof course at all, and need a careful, breathable approach rather than heavy-handed injection and hard plaster.
Sussex combines Regency and Victorian seafront terraces in Brighton, Hove and Eastbourne with flint cottages on the Downs and tile-hung, timber-framed Wealden houses inland. Many of these older buildings were built with lime mortars and solid walls that need to breathe, and inappropriate cement renders or modern paints are a frequent cause of trapped damp.
The chalk of the South Downs is free-draining, but the clay of the Weald holds water, and coastal towns have lower ground floors and basements close to the water table. Properties on sloping sites often have earth banked against rear walls, which brings damp into rooms below ground level.
Regency and Victorian seafront terraces, many converted into flats, where wind-driven rain, salt air and tired render cause penetrating damp and condensation.
Victorian and Edwardian seaside villas and interwar homes exposed to salt-laden weather, which speeds up wall tie corrosion and render failure.
Georgian and medieval buildings, many listed, and low-lying areas around the harbour with a high water table.
Where rising damp is confirmed, we install a new chemical damp proof course (DPC) by injecting a water-repellent cream into the mortar bed at the base of the wall. The cream cures to form a continuous barrier that stops ground moisture travelling upwards. Because salts carried up by the damp stay in the old plaster, the affected walls are then replastered with a salt-resistant, breathable system so decorations don't blister again.
Penetrating damp is treated at the source. That might mean repointing, repairing render, clearing or replacing gutters and downpipes, lowering raised ground levels against the wall or fixing defective flashing. Our property maintenance team carries out these repairs in-house, so you don't need to coordinate separate trades.
Every survey includes a written report explaining what we found, what is causing it and exactly what we recommend. If the cause is condensation or a leak rather than rising damp, we will tell you, and we won't sell you a damp proof course you don't need.
A PCA-qualified, commission-free surveyor visits your Sussex property, investigates with calibrated equipment and identifies the cause.
You receive a clear written report explaining what we found and what we recommend, with a fixed quotation and no hidden extras.
Our own trained team carries out the work, protecting your home, keeping dust down and leaving everything clean.
You receive a written guarantee, which can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee for a single premium.
Our surveyors cover East and West Sussex regularly, from the Weald villages to the coast. We regularly work in Hastings, Gatwick, Ashurst, Battle, Bexhill-on-Sea and Copthorne, and throughout Brighton & Hove, Horsham, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Chichester and Arun.
Towns and areas we cover in Sussex
One recent example of our damp proofing work in Sussex: Damp proofing in Brighton.
Find out more about our damp proofing service.
Book a survey
If you’ve noticed any of these issues, arranging a professional survey is the best way to identify the cause and prevent further damage.
It depends on the cause, the length of wall affected and how much replastering is needed. A single wall in a terraced house is a very different job to a whole ground floor. After your survey we give you a fixed, written quotation, so there are no surprises.
Rising damp usually shows as a tide mark low on the wall with salts in the plaster, and it is there all year. Condensation tends to appear as black mould on cold surfaces, corners and window reveals, and is worse in winter. Our surveyors use calibrated meters and salt analysis to tell them apart.
Yes. Our treatments come with a written guarantee, and for a single premium the guarantee can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) for extra peace of mind.
In most cases, yes. We work room by room, protect floors and furniture, and keep dust to a minimum. Your surveyor will explain what to expect before work starts.
Yes. Wind-driven rain and salt air cause a lot of penetrating damp in seafront properties. We find where the water is getting in, from render and pointing to parapets and windows, and fix it at source.
Yes. Flint cottages and Wealden timber-framed houses need breathable materials and careful repairs rather than heavy-handed injection and hard plaster, and that is how we treat them.
Our surveyors cover East and West Sussex regularly, from the Weald villages to the coast. Towns we visit regularly include Hastings, Gatwick, Ashurst, Battle, Bexhill-on-Sea, Copthorne, Crawley and Crowborough. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Sussex
Our other specialist services for Sussex homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Horsham and Brighton & Hove.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Crawley & Haywards Heath and Horsham.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Worthing and Brighton & Hove.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Brighton & Hove and Chichester.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Eastbourne and Crawley & Haywards Heath.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Lewes and Chichester.
Client testimonials
The teams were polite, helpful, and efficient at all works involved. We had a significant amount of plaster taken off the walls and the team did all they could to keep the dust down, even putting up a clever improvised air lock in place to protect the kitchen/food prep area. Following payment, the paperwork and guarantees were forwarded almost immediately.
Live just outside Sussex? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
Find the right service / 1 minute
Tell us what you’re seeing and we’ll point you to the right treatment. Four quick questions.
From our offices in Thames Ditton and Esher, our surveyors cover London and the surrounding counties, providing fast response times for residential and commercial properties alike.
We regularly work with:
Whether your property requires a damp survey, timber inspection or basement waterproofing system, our experienced team is ready to help.
Our certifications reflect our commitment to the highest standards of work and quality.
Why Tapco
Established in 1971
Choosing Tapco HomeDry means choosing a company with a proven history of protecting properties across the South East.
We believe every property deserves an individual assessment. That’s why our recommendations are based on what your building genuinely needs, not unnecessary treatments.
Tapco (Preservation) Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 423558) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks.
