Independent Damp Surveys

Homebuyers Damp Survey

Those who are planning to acquire a London property should arrange for a homebuyer’s damp survey, which involves a detailed inspection of external and internal walls, floors and ceilings, looking for any signs of damp, mould and timber decay. It is not difficult to conceal damage caused by damp; a skim of plaster and a couple of thick coats of paint is all it takes and unless a potential buyer arranges for an independent damp survey, they could end up having to fork out thousands of pounds in repair costs a few months after the purchase.

Three Levels of Independent Damp Survey

We offer our customers options when it comes to damp surveys, which are as follows:

• Level 1 Damp Survey – A thorough inspection of exterior and interior walls, floors, and ceilings to identify tell-tale signs of rising or penetrating damp. The survey includes damp detection and inspection of all walls and floors, as well as leak inspection of drains and water pipes to locate possible sources of moisture. Designed for buyers and sellers, it determines the presence of damp, mould, and timber rot. £199 + VAT.
• Level 2 Damp Survey – Everything included in Level 1 plus a closer examination of structural components such as joists, rafters, window frames and door frames. The surveyor also carries out a detailed dry/wet rot and woodworm inspection to identify any timber decay. If issues are found, we can recommend a trusted London damp-proofing contractor to carry out the required work. £299 + VAT.
• Level 3 Damp Survey – Our most comprehensive survey. Level 3 includes everything from Levels 1 and 2 plus an advanced set of diagnostic tests. This survey uses thermal imaging and air humidity testing to identify hidden moisture issues, along with an HD borescope camera for checking loft spaces, cavities and other hard-to-reach areas. We also carry out a full brickwork pointing inspection, DPC inspection, and a ventilation flow test on extractor fans to assess airflow and mould risk. For external parts of the property, we include 4K drone imagery to inspect the roof, chimney stack and guttering safely and in high detail. All Level 3 surveys are non-invasive and cause no damage to the property. £399 + VAT.
• Plaster Analysis – An additional service we offer is up to 10 samples of interior plaster, which we test for moisture content to give you a definitive assessment. This is the best way to accurately measure moisture content within walls; results come through quickly and are part of a detailed report that would include images and maybe video. £299 + VAT.
• Mould Lab Swab Testing – We offer professional qPCR mould swab testing, which analyses DNA from a surface swab to detect and quantify specific types of mould present within the property (up to 100 square metres). This laboratory-grade test provides highly accurate results and is ideal for confirming the presence and severity of mould growth. £299 + VAT.

If you are unsure about which survey is right for you, you can discuss the matter with one of our PCA-certified surveyors.

Cutting-Edge Digital Equipment That Our Surveyors Use

We use state-of-the-art digital tools and devices to accurately determine the presence of damp, mould and timber rot.

• Thermal Imagery – An infrared camera that has a colour digital screen that depicts cool and warm areas. Cool materials are blue, while warm areas are red and this enables the surveyor to easily identify potential areas where damp might be present. An essential piece of kit and one of the first tools a surveyor would use.
• Damp Meter – This device has two pins that can be inserted into materials such as cement, plaster and timber to accurately measure moisture content. There is also a pinless variety that measures moisture levels on surfaces; this hand-held device can be used to monitor a space to see if dampness is drying out over time.
• Pinhole Camera – The scientific name is a borescope camera, this device has a thin, pliable rod with a camera and tiny light for illumination, which is used to capture hi-res images of hard-to-reach places. Inside cavity walls, under floorboards and dark corners of the loft, where damp and mould might be present.
• Humidity Tester – A hand-held device with a digital screen that gives an accurate readout on RH (Relative Humidity), which helps the inspector measure humidity in various locations in the building.
• Ventilation Flow Tester – A hand-held device with a small rotating fan that accurately measures air movement and it is used by the surveyor to measure levels of ventilation. Numerous measurements are taken throughout the building to give a detailed picture of overall ventilation.
• Drone Imagery – Gone are the days when a surveyor has to climb across the roof, which is obviously a dangerous activity. All of our qualified surveyors are expert drone operators and they can closely observe all areas of the roof, checking for missing or broken roof tiles, inspecting guttering for blockages and checking the condition of the fascia and soffit boards without having to climb a ladder. A drone can also be used to monitor external walls and it definitely saves the surveyor a lot of time. Images are captured in order to show the customer specific issues.

If you have not had your London home inspected for damp for several years, now is the right time to book an independent damp survey with the best damp survey company in London. You will receive a detailed survey report delivered to your inbox within 24 hours of survey completion.