Black mould and streaming windows traced to the real cause, then fixed with ventilation and moisture control that lasts. Covering Dartford & Gravesend, the Medway towns and Tunbridge Wells and across Kent.
Book a surveyCondensation is the most common cause of black mould in Kent 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.
Older Kent cottages with small windows and solid walls, and newer homes made highly airtight, can both struggle with condensation. We measure humidity and surface temperatures to find the right fix for each property.
Kent's character comes from its oast houses, weatherboarded and tile-hung cottages, Kentish ragstone churches and farmhouses, alongside Victorian terraces in the Medway towns and handsome Regency and Victorian villas in Tunbridge Wells. Older buildings built with ragstone, soft brick and lime mortar need breathable repairs to avoid trapping moisture.
Exposed rural buildings take the brunt of wind-driven rain, and weatherboarding, tile hanging and timber frames are vulnerable to wet rot and woodworm wherever water gets in or ventilation is poor.
Interwar and post-war housing on chalk and clay, where wall tie corrosion and condensation in flats are common.
Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham have dense Victorian terraces on low-lying ground near the estuary, with rising damp and condensation common.
Regency and Victorian villas and terraces, where ageing damp proof courses and penetrating damp in stuccoed walls are frequent findings.
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 Kent 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 west and mid Kent regularly, including Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and the Medway towns. We regularly work in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Dartford, Cowden and East Malling, and throughout Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling, Maidstone, Dartford and Gravesham.
Towns and areas we cover in Kent
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 Kent 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. We have treated oast houses, weatherboarded cottages and ragstone farmhouses across Kent, including an oast house in Hollingbourne, using methods that suit traditional construction.
We cover west and mid Kent regularly, including Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Maidstone, Dartford and the Medway towns. Call us to check further afield.
Our surveyors cover west and mid Kent regularly, including Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and the Medway towns. Towns we visit regularly include Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Dartford, Cowden, East Malling, Gravesend and Halstead. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Kent
Our other specialist services for Kent homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Maidstone and the Medway towns.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Sevenoaks and the Kent countryside.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around the Medway towns and Maidstone.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Dartford & Gravesend and Tunbridge Wells.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Maidstone and Tonbridge.
Client testimonials
I would like to say a big thank you to Tapco for their professional attitude and service while carrying out damp repairs to my basement, finished 2 days ahead of schedule. Job well done and wouldn't hesitate to recommend or use again.
Live just outside Kent? 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.
