Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Chelmsford, Brentwood and Epping & Loughton and across Essex.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in Essex 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.
Essex homes on London Clay often have damp ground floors and cellars because the clay holds water against the walls. In Brentwood, Billericay and Chelmsford we treat rising damp in Victorian and Edwardian properties, while weatherboarded and timber-framed cottages need repairs that keep water out without trapping moisture in the frame.
Essex has weatherboarded cottages and timber-framed houses in its villages, Victorian and Edwardian homes in towns like Brentwood and Chelmsford, and large areas of interwar and post-war housing. Many of the older buildings rely on timber frames and lime-based finishes that are vulnerable when damp gets trapped.
Most of south Essex sits on London Clay, which swells when wet and shrinks in dry summers. That seasonal movement is a common contributor to cracked walls, and the clay's poor drainage keeps ground floors and cellars under moisture pressure.
A city with Victorian terraces and modern apartments near the Chelmer, where damp and condensation are frequent findings.
Victorian, Edwardian and interwar family homes on London Clay, where rising damp and cracked walls are common.
Interwar and period homes near Epping Forest, where mature trees on clay soil contribute to ground movement and cracking.
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 Essex 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-west Essex, including Brentwood, Epping, Loughton, Billericay and Chelmsford. We regularly work in Basildon, Aveley, Billericay, Blackmore, Brentwood and Buckhurst Hill, and throughout Brentwood, Epping Forest, Chelmsford, Basildon and Thurrock.
Towns and areas we cover in Essex
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-west Essex, including Brentwood, Epping, Loughton, Billericay and Chelmsford. Call us to check further afield.
It can. London Clay holds water against walls and floors, and it swells and shrinks with the seasons, which contributes to damp ground floors and cracked walls. A survey will show whether it is affecting your home.
We survey properties in south-west Essex, including Brentwood, Epping, Loughton, Billericay and Chelmsford. Towns we visit regularly include Basildon, Aveley, Billericay, Blackmore, Brentwood, Buckhurst Hill, Chelmsford and Corringham. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Essex
Our other specialist services for Essex homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around the Essex villages and Chelmsford.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Chelmsford and Thurrock & Grays.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Chelmsford and Brentwood.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around the Essex villages and Chelmsford.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Brentwood and Epping & Loughton.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Thurrock & Grays and Chelmsford.
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 Essex? 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.
