Rising damp, penetrating damp and failed damp proof courses, diagnosed by PCA-qualified surveyors and put right with guaranteed treatments. Covering Guildford & Godalming, Kingston & Surbiton and Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey and across Surrey.
Book a surveyDamp is one of the most common problems we see in Surrey 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.
Surrey's mix of property types means damp takes many forms. Victorian villas in Surbiton and Kingston often have failing original damp proof courses, while period cottages in villages around Guildford, Dorking and Godalming suffer when cement renders and modern paints trap moisture in walls that were built to breathe.
Homes close to the Thames, Mole and Wey can also see damp linked to high groundwater.
Surrey has an unusually wide mix of property: Victorian villas in Surbiton and Kingston, Edwardian and interwar family homes across Elmbridge and Epsom, and centuries-old timber-framed cottages, barns and farmhouses in the villages around Guildford, Dorking and Godalming. Older solid-walled and timber-framed buildings need breathable, sympathetic repairs, while interwar cavity-walled homes are prime candidates for wall tie corrosion.
Ground conditions change across the county, from the heavy Weald Clay of the south and the chalk of the North Downs to the free-draining sands around Camberley and Bagshot. The Thames, Mole and Wey valleys bring high water tables and flood risk to towns like Molesey, Esher, Cobham, Leatherhead and Guildford, which is why we see so many damp cellars and below-ground problems close to the rivers.
Historic town centres and timber-framed cottages along the Wey, which need breathable, sympathetic repairs and careful timber treatment.
Victorian villas and terraces, many split into flats, close to the Thames, so failing original damp proof courses and damp cellars are part of our everyday work there.
Our home patch. Properties near the Thames and Mole sit on gravels with a high water table, and we see damp basements and flood-affected ground floors here regularly.
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 Surrey 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.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. We regularly work in Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham and West Molesey, and throughout Elmbridge, Kingston upon Thames, Guildford, Woking, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.
Towns and areas we cover in Surrey
One recent example of our damp proofing work in Surrey: Basement damp proofing in Epsom.
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.
Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely more than a short drive from any Surrey property.
Yes. We regularly survey and treat listed and period properties around Guildford, Dorking, Godalming and the Surrey villages, using breathable, lime-compatible materials where the building needs them.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. Towns we visit regularly include Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham, West Molesey, Woking and Albury. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Surrey
Our other specialist services for Surrey homes, landlords and businesses.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Guildford & Godalming and Dorking & Leatherhead.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Kingston & Surbiton and Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Woking & Weybridge and Kingston & Surbiton.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Guildford & Godalming and Dorking & Leatherhead.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Epsom & Ewell and Woking & Weybridge.
Drying and repair after floods and water damage. Most common around Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey and Walton-on-Thames & Cobham.
Client testimonials
My wife discovered rising damp in our basement. Not knowing the first thing about damp proofing we called out the experts, Tapco Homedry. Tapco alleviated our concerns over the phone and arranged a date to solve the problem at our convenience. Thankfully we found it and thank you Tapco for fixing it.
Live just outside Surrey? 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.
