Timber and damp surveys

Need a timber and damp survey? – Trust Timberwise

Timberwise as experts in dampness can provide you 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.

Timber and Damp Surveys – 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!

What is involved with a timber and damp survey?

An average damp and timber survey on a  three bedroom property can take some considerable time to carry out properly. It will start on the outside of the property with observations of the roof, chimney stacks, flashing’s, and rainwater goods. Such details as the orientation of the property, state of the external woodwork (windows and doors etc), the drainage and sub-floor ventilation are also taken into account.

Following the external inspection the  first place to start inside is usually the loft because as this is where any defects in the roof covering will usually show. The size and condition of the roof timbers must be inspected for the presence of wood related problems such as woodworm or fungal decay such as Dry Rot. If there has been a woodworm infestation or outbreak of Dry Rot the surveyor will make a judgment on whether the infestation or Dry Rot is current or extinct. Care must also be taken to see if bats are in residence. As bats are protected care must be taken not to disturb them. Click here for further advice on what to do if you have bats in your loft.

Looking at the first and ground floors – walls, plaster, skirting and timbers are checked for dampness and signs of decay and infestation. Floor timbers will be inspected where accessible. Floorboards will not be lifted though unless they are loose. It is recommended that the areas, which are the subject of concern, are made readily accessible and that, if possible, carpets and furniture are removed prior to the surveyor’s visit to the property.

Timbers on staircases will be inspected. Any visual evidence of timber decay will be reported on. External joinery will not normally be inspected. Accessible surfaces of internal joinery will be visually inspected. Internal and external observations will be taken, and comments on general building defects likely to affect internal timbers will be included where appropriate, in the report, if submitted. Where the property has a basement or cellar with access this would also be inspected.

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. Remember, if the timber and damp survey is required by a mortgage lender that the company or surveyor who does the survey for you needs to be BWPDA (British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association) registered, now known as PCA (Property Care Association), otherwise the lender may refuse to accept the report.

How do I arrange a timber and damp survey?

The easiest way to arrange a timber and damp survey is to complete our survey request for or call your local Timberwise office on 0800 288 8660.