Diagnosing damp issues and Protecting properties since 1988

There are different types of damp which have different effects on your property, although the common key signs of damp inside a property include:

• Mould spots and mildew growth on your walls, floors or ceilings
• An unpleasant, musty or damp smell created by the mould
• Increased condensation on windows, tiles and cold walls
• Wallpaper, carpets and paint that either change colour or start peeling and lifting
• Walls, floors and other surfaces which feel unusually cold or wet
• Plaster and walls becoming dark or discoloured up to 1 meter off the ground
• Unexplained damage or decay to your floorboards and skirting boards

Black mould is a type of fungal growth which is black in appearance and caused by excessive moisture or condensation. Black mould is toxic and can be dangerous to your health if you’re exposed to it for long periods of time, leading to skin irritation, allergic reactions and respiratory problems, so it’s important to act fast if you suspect black mould is growing in your property.

A damp proof course is installed within a property to prevent damp from rising and travelling up the wall through capillary action (rising damp). There are different types of damp proof courses which can be installed at a property depending on the type of building and it’s requirements, including damp proof injections and electro-osmotic damp proofing, so it’s important to choose a specialist damp proofing installer to ensure you get the correct damp proof course which effectively prevents your property from damp problems and the resulting dry rot or wet rot.

A damp proof membrane is a type of membrane material used to prevent dampness from occurring through capillary action. It can be used in conjunction with a damp proof course and is one of the most reliable solutions for preventing damp in your property. The membrane must be fitted with care to ensure it is completely water-tight with no tears or holes, making sure the damp proof membrane doesn’t allow for the penetration of moisture and is fully effective.

The regular appearance of condensation can cause damp, leading to wider issues for both your health and your property, such as mould and wood rot. Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with a colder surface such as a wall, window or mirror due to a lack of ventilation, so opening doors and windows can help prevent condensation from being a problem in warmer months. However, in colder months when leaving windows open isn’t practical, it is important to call a professional damp proofing specialist if you’re experiencing high levels of condensation to prevent any further damage to your property.

Rising damp is the type of damp caused by water rising through pores in the brickwork through the process of capillary action. This type of damp is usually distinguished by a visible ‘tide-mark’ - a damp mark visible around the bottom of your interior walls up to around 1m high. It is relatively rare, but rising damp is one of the most serious damp problems you can have, causing damage to your internal walls and skirting boards, as well as structural damage to timber and masonry. It is important to get this type of damp remedied as soon as possible to prevent any serious damage to the structure of your property.

Damp and moisture in a basement typically comes from rain or groundwater, so the best way to damp proof a basement is a process called tanking, where the basement is made completely watertight. There are two main methods of tanking: dry systems, which include the installation of a cavity drainage membrane system, and wet systems, such as cementitious tanking. A cavity drain system requires the installation of an angled membrane on the walls and floor which allows for water to filter down into a channel which directs it away from the property. Cementitious tanking is the application of a waterproof coating to the walls and floor to create a watertight barrier to keep groundwater out. The right basement damp proofing method for your property will depend on it’s exact requirements and the level of damp you’re dealing with.

While there may be quick DIY fixes to some simple damp problems such as penetrating damp caused by cracks or guttering faults, there’s always the possibility of a more serious problem such as structural damage from rising damp, which requires inspection from a damp proofing specialist to diagnose. If you are looking to buy a property and notice any signs of damp, a specialist can also carry out a professional damp survey and determine the severity of the issues. A damp proofing expert can survey your property and help you find the exact cause of the damp problems to offer you the most effective repair solution possible.

As a general rule, condensation is typically found as beads of water droplets on hard shiny surfaces such as windows and tiles and mould growing on the surrounding surfaces. Penetrating damp commonly appears as localized patches of damp after periods of bad weather and heavy rain, and can also appear as a result of faulty plumbing and leaky pipes. Rising damp can be identified by tidal marks and damp patches on interior walls, which start at the floor and can extend up to 1m above ground level. If it is difficult to determine the exact cause of damp within your property, a damp proof specialist can carry out a damp survey and help you decide on the most effective treatment method for your problem.

The first step in treating your damp problem is identifying what type of damp you have so that the correct treatment method can be selected, which can be different for every property. Some common treatments for condensation include black mould removal, anti condensation paint and the installation of improved ventilation systems, such as heat recovery ventilation and positive pressure ventilation. Penetrating damp usually has a simple fix, such as repairing broken guttering, damaged windows, any damage to the roof, cracked exterior renders and the replacement of porous bricks. The most effective way to treat rising damp is to install a water-repellent Damp Proof Course (DPC) by injecting a damp proofing injection cream into the mortar joints of your property. To be sure of the right treatment for your damp issues, get in touch for a full damp survey of your property!

Damp is caused by an excess of moisture within a property. This can be from a range of sources, either by condensation, penetration of water from outside the property (known as water ingress), plumbing issues and leaks, or by capillary action of groundwater rising through the bricks into your home.

We are a Peterborough-based company so provide damp proofing in Peterborough, as well as the rest of Cambridgeshire, areas of Norfolk, and areas of Lincoln also. If you're not sure if we'd service your area, please get in touch with us to find out.