Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Winchester, Portsmouth & Southsea and Southampton and across Hampshire.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in Hampshire 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.
In Hampshire we treat rising damp in Victorian terraces across Portsmouth, Southsea and Southampton and in the early twentieth-century housing of Aldershot and Farnborough.
In rural areas around Winchester and the New Forest, flint and brick cottages and listed buildings are more likely to suffer penetrating damp from failed render, pointing and rainwater goods, which we fix at source.
Hampshire ranges from Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Portsmouth, Southsea and Southampton to flint and brick cottages, thatched village houses and listed buildings around Winchester, Romsey and the New Forest. Garrison towns such as Aldershot and Farnborough have large numbers of early twentieth-century homes, where original damp proof courses and wall ties are reaching the end of their life.
Much of central Hampshire sits on chalk, but the river valleys of the Test, Itchen and Meon have high water tables, and coastal areas around the Solent are low-lying. That brings moisture pressure to cellars and ground floors near rivers and the coast.
Historic buildings beside the Itchen, many listed and built with chalk, flint and lime, which need sympathetic, breathable treatments.
Dense Victorian terraces, many converted into flats, on a low-lying island exposed to salt-laden weather.
Victorian, interwar and post-war housing around the docks and river estuaries, where condensation and wall tie corrosion are common.
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 Hampshire 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.
We cover Hampshire from north-east towns such as Farnborough, Fleet and Basingstoke through to Winchester and the south coast. We regularly work in Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Portchester, Aldershot, Alton and Alresford, and throughout Winchester, Basingstoke & Deane, Hart, Rushmoor, East Hampshire and Test Valley.
Towns and areas we cover in Hampshire
One recent example of our damp proofing work in Hampshire: Damp proofing in Winchester.
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.
We cover Hampshire from Farnborough, Fleet and Basingstoke through Winchester to Portsmouth, Southampton and the New Forest. Call us to confirm availability for your postcode.
Yes. We regularly work on period and listed buildings around Winchester, Romsey and the New Forest, using materials and methods that suit how they were built.
We cover Hampshire from north-east towns such as Farnborough, Fleet and Basingstoke through to Winchester and the south coast. Towns we visit regularly include Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Portchester, Aldershot, Alton, Alresford, Andover and Appleshaw. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Hampshire
Our other specialist services for Hampshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Petersfield & Alton and Romsey & the New Forest.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Winchester and Romsey & the New Forest.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Portsmouth & Southsea and Basingstoke.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Winchester and Romsey & the New Forest.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Southampton and Farnborough, Fleet & Aldershot.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Romsey & the New Forest and Portsmouth & Southsea.
Client testimonials
Tapco have been very helpful, responsive and professional in how they have managed and completed our re-roofing project, within budget and quote. We are very pleased with the result.
Live just outside Hampshire? 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.
