Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Teddington & Hampton, Twickenham & St Margarets and Ealing and across Middlesex.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in Middlesex 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.
Across Middlesex, rising damp is common in the Victorian terraces of Twickenham, Hounslow and Ealing and in 1930s semis where the original damp proof course has failed or been bridged by later paths and extensions.
Riverside properties in Shepperton, Sunbury, Staines and Teddington can also suffer damp linked to the Thames water table.
Much of Middlesex was built up in the 1920s and 1930s, so interwar semis and terraces are everywhere, alongside Victorian terraces in Twickenham, Hounslow and Ealing and older riverside cottages. Interwar cavity walls were often built with mild steel wall ties that are now corroding, and suspended timber floors with blocked air bricks are a frequent cause of rot.
Riverside towns such as Shepperton, Sunbury, Staines, Twickenham and Teddington sit on Thames gravels with a high water table, and parts are in the river's flood plain. That brings damp cellars and moisture pressure to ground floors close to the river.
Riverside cottages and period homes just across the river from our office, including lock keepers' cottages we have worked on at Teddington.
Victorian terraces and riverside homes close to the Thames, where rising damp and high groundwater are common. We carried out damp proofing at St Margarets Station.
Edwardian family homes, many converted into flats, alongside 1930s semis with corroding wall ties.
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 Middlesex 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.
Middlesex is on our doorstep: Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton and Sunbury are just across the river from our Thames Ditton office. We regularly work in Ashford, Ealing, Twickenham, Hampton, Harrow and Wealdstone, and throughout Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harrow, Ealing, Enfield and Spelthorne.
Towns and areas we cover in Middlesex
One recent example of our damp proofing work in Middlesex: Damp proofing at St Margarets Station.
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.
Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton and Sunbury are just across the river from our Thames Ditton office, so we can usually offer surveys at short notice.
Yes. We regularly dry and repair flood-affected homes in Shepperton, Sunbury, Staines and Twickenham, and can design waterproofing to help protect below-ground rooms.
Middlesex is on our doorstep: Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton and Sunbury are just across the river from our Thames Ditton office. Towns we visit regularly include Ashford, Ealing, Twickenham, Hampton, Harrow, Wealdstone, West Drayton and Bedfont. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Middlesex
Our other specialist services for Middlesex homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Teddington & Hampton and Ealing.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Twickenham & St Margarets and Teddington & Hampton.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Ealing and Hounslow.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Teddington & Hampton and Ealing.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Harrow & Pinner and Enfield.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Twickenham & St Margarets and Teddington & Hampton.
Client testimonials
We have used Tapco now for 15 years and have no hesitation in recommending them for reports and for follow on works. The quality of their works and reporting standards are excellent.
Live just outside Middlesex? 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.
