Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Kensington & Chelsea, Richmond & Barnes and Greenwich & Lewisham and across London.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in London 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 problem, 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.
In London we most often find rising damp in Victorian and Edwardian terraces where the original slate or bitumen damp proof course has broken down, or has been bridged by raised pavements, patios and garden beds.
Lower ground floor flats are particularly affected because the external ground sits well above the internal floor. Just as often, though, damp in a London flat turns out to be caused by a flat above or by condensation from a converted layout, so a proper diagnosis matters.
London's housing stock is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces, Georgian townhouses and mansion blocks, many now split into flats. Most were built with solid brick walls and original slate or bitumen damp proof courses that are now well over a century old. Raised pavements and garden levels, lower ground floors and shared party walls all make damp more likely, and conversions often introduce new kitchens and bathrooms without enough ventilation.
Much of London sits on London Clay, which holds water and swells and shrinks with the seasons, while areas close to the Thames and its lost tributaries have high water tables. That combination puts constant moisture pressure on lower ground floors, vaults and basements, and is why so many London basement projects need a properly designed waterproofing system.
Stucco-fronted townhouses and mansion blocks with lower ground floors and vaults under the pavement, where basement waterproofing and damp to front lightwells are everyday problems.
Riverside villas and cottages close to the Thames, where high groundwater, tidal flooding and damp cellars go hand in hand.
Georgian and Victorian houses on sloping ground near the river, where earth banked against rear walls and old suspended timber floors lead to damp and rot.
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 plumbing problem 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 London 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 are in London every day, travelling in from our Thames Ditton office in south-west London. We regularly work in Bromley, Acton, Balham, Battersea, Biggin Hill and Blackheath, and throughout Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth, Lambeth and Southwark.
Towns and areas we cover in London
One recent example of our damp proofing work in London: Basement damp proofing in Marylebone.
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. Much of our London work is in flats, maisonettes and lower ground floor conversions. We can liaise with managing agents and freeholders where the cause of a problem sits in a communal part of the building or a neighbouring flat.
Yes. Our teams work in central London every week and plan for parking suspensions, congestion charge zones and restricted access, so you don't have to.
Our surveyors are in London every day, travelling in from our Thames Ditton office in south-west London. Towns we visit regularly include Bromley, Acton, Balham, Battersea, Biggin Hill, Blackheath, East Ham and Hammersmith. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in London
Our other specialist services for London homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Greenwich & Lewisham and Kensington & Chelsea.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Kensington & Chelsea and Richmond & Barnes.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Hackney and Kensington & Chelsea.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Kensington & Chelsea and Islington & Camden.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Wandsworth & Clapham and Croydon & Bromley.
Drying and repair after floods and water damage. Most common around Richmond & Barnes and Kensington & Chelsea.
Client testimonials
Tapco Homedry provided a comprehensive and useful report on the causes of the dampness and condensation in one of our flats that allowed the flat owner to proceed with the most appropriate remedial work. Tapco were pleasant, professional and very helpful, and the visit for their report was arranged and conducted promptly.
Live just outside London? 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.
