Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Hitchin & Hertford, St Albans and Watford and across Hertfordshire.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire we see rising damp in the Victorian and Edwardian homes of Watford, St Albans and Berkhamsted, and penetrating damp in older timber-framed and Georgian buildings in the market towns.
Interwar homes across the south of the county often have damp traced to bridged damp proof courses and blocked cavities.
Hertfordshire mixes historic market towns such as St Albans, Hitchin and Berkhamsted, with timber-framed and Georgian buildings, alongside large areas of Victorian, interwar and post-war commuter housing. Older timber-framed properties need careful, breathable repairs, while interwar homes often have corroding mild steel wall ties.
The south of the county sits on London Clay, which holds water and shrinks and swells, while the north and west are on chalk. River valleys such as the Colne, Gade and Lea bring higher water tables to nearby properties.
Market towns with timber-framed buildings and riverside homes that need careful damp and timber treatment.
A historic city with timber-framed and Georgian buildings in its conservation areas, which need breathable, sympathetic repairs.
Victorian terraces and interwar suburbs where bridged damp proof courses and condensation in converted homes 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 Hertfordshire 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 survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. We regularly work in Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree and Hatfield, and throughout Watford, St Albans, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum and Welwyn Hatfield.
Towns and areas we cover in Hertfordshire
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 survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire regularly, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Call us to check further afield.
Yes. Timber-framed properties in St Albans, Hitchin and the market towns need careful, breathable repairs, and we treat timber decay and woodworm without damaging historic fabric.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Towns we visit regularly include Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree, Hatfield, North Mymms and Potters Bar. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Hertfordshire
Our other specialist services for Hertfordshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and Rickmansworth.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Watford and Welwyn & Hatfield.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Potters Bar & Borehamwood and Watford.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Rickmansworth and Hitchin & Hertford.
Client testimonials
Tapco have just completed damp proofing my house and I can't fault the quality of their work and professionalism of their operatives. A great job from start to finish, I highly recommend them.
Live just outside Hertfordshire? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
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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.
