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Damp is one of the most common problems in UK property. Ignore damp at your peril – it quickly leads to mould and mould in turn leads to rot , such as dry rot. Below are some handy pointers on some of the more common forms of dampness that are found in properties and some handy tips on what to do is you suspect you have a damp problem:

Rising Damp

As the name Rising Damp suggests, this damp rises from a water source below. The most common cause of rising damp is the breakdown of an existing damp proof course, or not having a damp proof course at all. Some older properties were built without a damp proof course at all. Blocked up chimneys, hermetically sealed windows or tight fitting doors can also cause problems.

Tips on spotting and avoiding Rising Damp

- Don’t block natural ventilation – especially in older houses.

- Ensure drains are clear- saturated soil can let water seep into the house.

- Make sure there are no large trees within 20m of the property. Roots can cause damage to drains and footings.

- Check all guttering and downpipes for blockages.

- If the property has a cellar, check the condition of the underside of the joists and floorboards.

What to do if you suspect you have a Rising Damp problem

Timberwise are experts in identifying and recommending the best solutions to Rising Damp related problems and have been for over 40 years. All houses are different and  have a variety of different damp proofing methods at their disposal. From chemical damp proof courses through to electro osmotic damp proofing you can be sure that Timberwise will accurately diagnose and suggest the best course of action for your property. To arrange a survey simply call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660 of complete our on-line damp survey request form and we will contact you to arrange a convenient time for a survey. For more advice check out our Rising Damp advice page.

Penetrating Damp

This enters properties through walls and around windows either horizontally or from above. The most frequent cause is a leaking roof or blocked gutters and downpipes. Water may travel down beams through natural gullies, down electric cables and along joists before it finally appears on the wall. Further information on Penertrating Damp can be found on our Penetrating damp page.

Tips on spotting and avoiding Penetrating Damp

- After rain fall look for external damp patches where most of the wall has dried but a damp patch is left.

- Feel the walls for signs of dampness.

- Pay special attention to ceilings and around windows- especially dormer windows and roof lights.

- Inspect the loft and check the underfelt. Turn of the lighting in the loft area and check for any signs of daylight coming through. This easy check highlights areas where water could be coming in.

- With the aid of a pair of binoculars check the condition of the roof. Study carefully the ridge tiles and the area around the base of the chimney stack.

- Look for any signs of algae or mould on exterior walls. Mould can be a sign of a recurring damp problem.

Accidental Damp

This form of dampness is caused by accidental water leakage – for example a leaking water tap or pipe. Older pipework is particularly susceptible to leakage from joints, and as a majority of pipework is hidden this can be difficult to identify. This is where you may need the skills of a good plumber to spot any potential leaks. Another area to check is around baths and showers where the seals may need renewing.

Tips on spotting and avoiding Accidental Damp problems

- Always turn the stop cock off if the property is going to be vacant for any long periods.

- Drain the water and central heating system of any property that is vacant – especially during the colder winter months. Frozen pipes can mean expensive repairs.

- Keep a look out for signs of leakage around all areas where water is used.

- Get a qualified plumber to give you an informal assessment of the state of the water and central heating system in the property.

Timberwise as experts in dampness can provide homeowners with timber and damp surveys. A majority of timber and damp issues in the home go unnoticed until the property is on the market and a survey is required on the instructions of either the mortgage lender of the house buyer. Thats when Timberwise can help with a timber and damp survey!

We can provide a full report on our findings which also includes our recommendations to rectify or alleviate the causes of dampness in the property. The report will also give details of any works that maybe required to be carried out. If no treatments are needed, we will say so!

A qualified expert opinion from the property care experts

It is vital that when having a timber and damp survey carried out on a property that any problems are correctly identified  in order to specify the correct remedial treatments. It is important therefore that the surveyor carrying out the survey is an experienced qualified surveyor. Timberwise, as members of the PCA (Property Care Association), can give you the peace of mind that our qualified surveyors are some of the most experienced in the property care industry.

A survey by a trained surveyor can also save you money! It happens all too often that surveyors mistake penetrating damp and condensation problems for rising damp – this can then lead to works that are costly and unnecessary as these two problems can usually be remedied at a fraction of the cost of remedial works

Further help and advice about timber and damp surveys

For more information on timber and damp surveys and to see what is involved with a timber and damp survey from Timberwise check out our timber and damp survey page. To arrange a timber and damp survey call 0800 288 8660 or complete our timber and damp survey request form on-line.

Todays picture shows one of the most common complaints in properties – dampness and in particular rising damp. To the right of the picture salts can be seen appearing as a result of damp rising up the wall. The dampness in this property has led to other property care issues forming as well. The skirting board is showing signs of cuboidal cracking which is a sign of dry rot forming and black spot mould (normally associated with condensation)  has also appeared on the wall as a result of moisture and very little air movement on the cool external wall.

What is rising damp?

Rising damp is caused by water from the ground spreading through the brickwork by means of capillary action. This means the water travels upwards through the small cracks in the masonry.  No matter how well constructed a property is rising damp could still be a problem. If the damp protection (damp proof course)  in place is bridged in some way (for example a raised flowerbed) then rising damp could raise its ugly head. As can be seen above rising damp initially causes damp patches and staining to the affected wall but only up to a height of approximately 1 meter. It can also, if left untreated, be the cause of other property care issues such as dry rot.

The solution for rising damp and dampness

Timberwise are experts in damp proofing with over 4 decades experience in providing specialist damp proofing solutions to home owners. If you suspect you have a rising damp problem in your property Timberwise have a variety of damp proofing solutions to solve your damp issues for good. Firstly it is important to clarify the type of dampness in the property (it could be rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation). Only after correctly determining the type of dampness can the correct damp proofing solution be determined. For rising damp our solutions range from DriWise damp proofing injection through to electro osmotic damp proofing systems.  Solutions to condensation vary from our range of ventilation products (positive pressure units and a range of kitchen and bathroom fans) through to dehumidifier units. To learn more about rising damp and dampness our “Damp Expert” has written an article that looks at damp in detail and is packed with interesting damp information. Why not also check out our rising damp video to learn more about our range of damp solutions.

Arranging for a damp survey of your property from Timberwise couldn’t be easier – simply click here and complete our on line damp survey request form and we’ll contact you to arrange a convenient time for our damp surveyor to inspect your damp problem and provide you with the perfect damp solution for your home.

For solving your damp problems there is only one name you need to know – Timberwise – the experts in damp control.

When The Royal Ballet School needed advice on a damp proofing problem at the historic White Lodge in London damp experts Timberwise were called upon to put their damp proofing expertise into action.

White Lodge is the home of the Royal Ballet School. Housed within a spectacular Georgian property in Richmond Park. Formerly White Lodge was formerly a royal residence and was built as a hunting lodge for George II in 1727.  Famously Lord Nelson stayed at the Lodge prior to the Battle of Trafalgar. It is said that Nelson plotted the  campaigns for Cadiz and Trafalgar  on the dining room table using the fruit and silver for ships and writing on the table cloth with a finger dipped in port! More information on the Royal Ballet and White Lodge can be found in the video below:

It was apparent that dampness was present in a section of the accommodation part of the Lodge. The dampness was causing potential health risks with salts coming through the plasterwork .  A sympathetic repair was needed to the damp problem. By using a cavity drain membrane fixed to the damp wall we were able to dry line and plaster the wall to ensure that the dampness would not reoccur.

Timberwise, with over 40 years experience in damp proofing and the installation of damp proof courses. Having eradicated rising damp problems in thousands of homes you can trust Timberwise to remove your rising damp problem for good by advising the most appropriate rising damp treatment for your property. Utilising the most upto date methods in damp proofing Timberwise offer a long term guarantee to give you complete peace of mind that your rising damp problem is a thing of the past.

To arrange a survey for rising damp lease call 0800 288 8660 or click here to arrange a survey.

Condensation is by far the most common cause of dampness in buildings, probably accounting for most of the dampness problems reported. Condensation can affect both old and new properties but would appear to be a significant problem where the building has undergone some form of modernisation – for example the fitting of double glazing.

At Timberwise we are finding more and more misdiagnosis of dampness with  problems being attributed to rising damp rather than to condensation. Of course, after such misdiagnosis , the installation of a damp-proof course and replastering has no effect and the problems the householder is experiencing remain. Therefore, it is essential that dampness problems are correctly diagnosed in the first instance. Incorrect diagnosis can therefore prove to be an inconvenient and costly mistake. 

At Timberwise you can be confident that your property is in the hands of the property care experts.

Calling on over 40 years of experience you can place your trust in our team of  surveyors. Our surveyors are experts in their field and can advise on rising damp and condensation issues along with other aspects of property care.

Time and time again Timberwise are recommended as a result of our hard earned reputation for providing good solid advice and cost effective solutions to property care issues. Timberwise are also members of the Property Care Association giving you even greater peace of mind that your property is in the hands of the professionals.

Don’t just take our word for it though! Each and every client of Timberwise has the opportunity to express their views on the service they recieve. To read some of the feedback from our clients visit our Client Care page.

To arrange for a survey from Timberwise call 0800 288 8660 or click here to arrange a survey on-line.