Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Windsor & Eton, Reading and Maidenhead and across Berkshire.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in Berkshire 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.
Reading, Maidenhead and Windsor have large numbers of Victorian terraces with ageing slate damp proof courses, and we treat rising damp in them every week.
Homes in the Thames and Kennet valleys, from Datchet to Theale, can also have damp walls caused or worsened by high groundwater and past flooding, which affects which treatment will last.
Berkshire's towns are full of Victorian terraces in Reading's distinctive red and silver-grey brick, Edwardian villas in Maidenhead and Windsor, post-war and new-town housing in Bracknell, and village cottages across West Berkshire. Victorian solid walls with ageing slate damp proof courses are a frequent source of rising damp.
The Thames and Kennet valleys run through the county, and Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor, Datchet and Wraysbury all have low-lying areas with high water tables and a history of flooding. Below-ground rooms near the rivers often need properly designed waterproofing.
Historic properties, many listed, near the Thames, which need sympathetic damp and timber treatments.
Victorian terraces in the town's red and silver-grey brick close to the Thames and Kennet, where rising damp and flood-related damp are everyday problems.
Edwardian villas and riverside homes where high groundwater and flooding affect cellars and ground floors.
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 Berkshire 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 cover all of Berkshire and neighbouring south Buckinghamshire, including Marlow, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. We regularly work in Maidenhead, Slough, Bracknell, Finchampstead, Reading and Ascot, and throughout Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Windsor & Maidenhead, Slough and West Berkshire.
Towns and areas we cover in Berkshire
One recent example of our damp proofing work in Berkshire: Damp proofing in Reading.
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.
Yes. Alongside the whole of Berkshire we cover neighbouring south Buckinghamshire, including Marlow, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross.
Yes. We dry and repair flood-affected properties in Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor, Datchet and Wraysbury, and can advise on waterproofing to protect below-ground rooms.
We cover all of Berkshire and neighbouring south Buckinghamshire, including Marlow, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. Towns we visit regularly include Maidenhead, Slough, Bracknell, Finchampstead, Reading, Ascot, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Berkshire
Our other specialist services for Berkshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Newbury & West Berkshire and Windsor & Eton.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Reading and Maidenhead.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Bracknell and Reading.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Windsor & Eton and Newbury & West Berkshire.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Wokingham and Bracknell.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Reading and Maidenhead.
Client testimonials
We have used Tapco on various sites in central London over the last two years and they have provided a thoroughly professional and effective service. They are reliable, cost effective and they do what it says on the box! Rare indeed!
Live just outside Berkshire? 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.
