A damp survey is about finding the cause, not just confirming that a wall is wet. Here is what a professional survey involves, so you know what to expect when our surveyor visits.
1. A conversation about the problem
Your surveyor will start by asking what you have noticed, when it started and whether it changes with the weather or the seasons. Small details, such as damp that gets worse after heavy rain or mould that appears mainly in winter, often point straight to the cause.
2. An inspection inside
The affected rooms are inspected for tide marks, salt deposits, staining, mould and decayed plaster. The surveyor will look at how the room is used and ventilated, including extractor fans, trickle vents and where washing is dried.
3. Readings with calibrated equipment
Moisture meters show where the dampness is and how it is distributed. Because many building materials affect meter readings, the readings are interpreted alongside everything else rather than taken at face value. Hygrometers and surface thermometers help assess the risk of condensation.
4. A look outside
Many damp problems start outside. The surveyor checks ground levels against the damp proof course, paths and patios, air bricks, gutters and downpipes, pointing, render and any defects that could let water in.
5. Timber checks where needed
Where there are suspended timber floors or signs of decay, accessible timbers are checked for rot and woodworm. If floorboards need to be lifted, this is agreed with you first.
6. A written report and quotation
You receive a clear written report explaining what was found, what is causing it and what we recommend, with a fixed quotation for any work. If the cause is condensation or a leak rather than rising damp, the report will say so, and we won’t recommend a treatment you don’t need.
How long does it take?
Most surveys of a single problem area take around an hour, but larger properties, basements and pre-purchase surveys take longer.
Our surveyors are PCA-qualified and are not paid commission. Read more about our damp and timber surveys or book a survey.
