Independent Damp and Moisture Surveys

Protect Your Property and Health from Dampness and Mould
Dampness, condensation, and high humidity levels can lead to mould or fungal growth, which poses serious risks to both the integrity of your property and the well-being of its occupants.

The Impact of Mould and Fungal Growth
Mould typically develops in environments with persistent dampness or elevated humidity. While it often manifests as visible stains or material decay, the effects go beyond surface damage. Prolonged exposure to mould can:

• Affect Respiratory Health: Trigger allergies and worsen existing medical conditions.
• Increase Stress and Anxiety: Living in damp, mould-prone environments can contribute to mental health concerns.
• Reduce Social Well-being: Poor living conditions can have a negative impact on quality of life.

What Our Professional Moisture or Defect Report Will Do
Our comprehensive reports are designed to help identify and address the root cause of mould and dampness. Here’s what you can expect:

• Identify the Extent of the Issue: We’ll assess the full scale of dampness and mould growth in your property.
• Investigate the Probable Cause: The investigation considers possible causes including condensation, plumbing leaks, penetrating dampness, thermal bridging, ventilation, ground moisture and previous repairs.
• Consider Occupancy, Environmental and Building-Fabric Factors: The investigation considers how heating, ventilation, occupancy and the building’s construction may be contributing to the moisture problem without automatically attributing blame to the occupants.
• Evaluate Older or Historic Properties: Special care will be given to assessing the condition of materials in older buildings.
• Review Previous Repairs: We'll highlight any ineffective or poorly executed repairs that may have contributed to the issue.
• Provide Clear, Practical Recommendations: Our expert advice will guide you on the best course of action to resolve the problem.

Protecting Historic Properties
In older and historic buildings, modern interventions—such as impermeable coatings, cement renders, or non-breathable insulation—can inadvertently trap moisture and exacerbate the problem. Our reports are grounded in building pathology, ensuring that any remedial work respects the building’s original construction while providing lasting solutions.

Support for Landlords, Managing Agents, and Homeowners
Our Moisture or Single Defect Reports provide concrete evidence of the cause of the issue, along with practical recommendations for remediation.

How do we work

A full Damp or Moisture Report will be detailed including all the fabric of the subject property and will include remedial works that are needed to rectify the issue.

The inspection normally begins with a visual assessment and non-invasive testing. Where this is insufficient, and with the owner’s prior authority, controlled invasive investigation may be undertaken. This can include lifting floorboards, opening access hatches, borescope inspection and taking localised material samples.

Equipment used:

• Electronic moisture meters
• Thermal cameras
• Salts analysis
• Calcium-carbide moisture testing
• Relative humidity floor boxes

 This is not an inclusive list and the equipment selected depends on the construction and nature of the suspected moisture problem.

Damp Issues I Regularly Investigate

• Condensation & mould growth
• Penetrating damp
• Suspected rising dampness
• Cavity wall insulation failures
• Cold bridging
• Bridged DPC
• Sub-floor ventilation problems
• Post-renovation moisture issues
• Incorrect installation of damp proofing

Whether it’s a long-standing problem or something newly discovered during a property purchase, I provide clarity and direction.

Who I Work With

• Homeowners
• Landlords & letting agents
• Property buyers
• Solicitors & legal professionals
• Housing associations
• Surveyors
• Insurance companies

My reports are suitable for dispute resolution, pre-purchase investigations, and insurance matters.

Damp Surveys

To effectively diagnose dampness and other moisture-related concerns, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of both the equipment being utilised and the construction characteristics of the property in question. A solid grasp of building construction, as well as the age of the property, is critical; without this knowledge, identifying damp issues may prove challenging, and any associated remedial measures, such as tanking and damp proofing, are likely to be ineffective. It is important to address the underlying causes of dampness before implementing any solutions.

Give me a call, and get some advice.

I am among a small selection of RICS surveyors with over 25 years of experience in moisture-related issues and flooding. Also, I'm impartial and independent. I do not recommend specific companies or contractors; instead, I provide factual assessments of the issues at hand and options for resolution. The choice of contractor or builder remains yours to make.

When searching for a moisture surveyor or specialist, it is common to encounter damp proofing companies. Please be aware that many of these organisations, not all, may not be impartial and may have ulterior motives for promoting their surveys or offering them at no cost; they generally don't have the correct equipment and just want remedial works. It is advisable to exercise caution in your selection and conduct thorough research of your surveyor and their knowledge.