Black mould and streaming windows traced to the real cause, then fixed with ventilation and moisture control that lasts. Covering Worthing, Brighton & Hove and Crawley & Haywards Heath and across Sussex.
Book a surveyCondensation is the most common cause of black mould in Sussex homes, and it often gets mistaken for rising or penetrating damp. Bleach and mould-resistant paint only treat the symptom.
Our surveyors take humidity, temperature and surface readings to understand why moisture is building up in your property, then recommend changes that stop the mould returning.
Coastal Sussex homes experience high humidity, and older properties with solid walls can be cold to the touch, which is ideal for condensation. We see a lot of black mould in Brighton and Hove flats and holiday lets that are shut up for long periods.
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.
Exposure is the big factor on the coast. Wind-driven rain hits south- and west-facing walls hard, salt air accelerates the decay of render and pointing, and penetrating damp follows. Inland, older timber-framed and thatched buildings are vulnerable to timber decay wherever water gets in.
Interwar bungalows, semis and seafront apartments where cavity wall ties, condensation and penetrating damp are frequent problems.
Regency and Victorian seafront terraces, many converted into flats, where wind-driven rain, salt air and tired render cause penetrating damp and condensation.
New-town and post-war housing alongside older properties on Weald Clay, where condensation and cracked walls are common.
Every home produces moisture from cooking, showering, drying clothes and simply breathing. When warm, moist air meets a cold surface such as a window, an external corner or an uninsulated wall, it condenses. Where ventilation can't remove that moisture fast enough, black mould follows.
Solutions depend on the property. They may include positive input ventilation (PIV) units that gently replace moist air with filtered fresh air, continuous-running extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, humidity-controlled fans, improved trickle ventilation, or insulating cold spots. We also check for hidden leaks and penetrating damp that can make condensation worse.
For landlords and managing agents, our written report gives a clear, independent assessment of the cause, which is invaluable where responsibility is disputed.
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
Find out more about our condensation & mould control 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.
In winter, windows are closed, heating cycles on and off and walls are colder, so moisture has fewer ways out and more cold surfaces to condense on. Improving ventilation is usually the long-term fix.
It can help in a single room but rarely fixes the cause on its own. A whole-house approach to ventilation and cold spots is more effective and cheaper to run long term.
It depends on the cause. Lifestyle plays a part, but the building's ventilation, insulation and condition are often the main factors. Our independent report helps landlords and tenants in Sussex understand what is causing the problem.
Persistent mould and damp can affect indoor air quality and may aggravate allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions in some people, so it is worth tackling promptly.
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.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Brighton & Hove and Eastbourne.
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.
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
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 Sussex? 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.
