Inside the home
Where the damp is, how high it reaches, any salts, staining or mould, the condition of plaster and timber, ventilation and heating, and what changes with the weather.
HOME OWNERS & HOUSE BUYERS
DAMP SURVEYS
IN CUMBRIA.
Spotted damp at home, or has your house survey flagged it on a property you’re buying? Here’s what a proper damp survey looks at and what you should come away with.
Arrange a free surveyWhat a survey
looks at.
Damp is a symptom. The same mark can be caused by rain, plumbing, condensation or moisture from the ground, so a survey has to look at the whole building, not just the wall with the problem.
Outside the building
Ground levels against the walls, gutters and downpipes, pointing, render, chimneys, window sills and anything bridging the damp-proof course.
Readings in context
Moisture meters are made for timber and give only a guide on plaster and masonry. Salts and some wall finishes can make a dry wall read wet, so readings are one clue among many.
Further reading +
Buying a house
with damp?
If your house survey flagged damp
- Don’t panic. A flag means “investigate”, not “expensive problem”.
- Ask for a specialist to find the cause before you commit or renegotiate.
- Ask the seller about past leaks, treatments and any guarantees.
- Get the findings and the proposed work explained in plain English.
- If your lender needs a formal written report, check that requirement first.
Be wary of a survey that
- recommends treatment based on meter readings alone
- doesn’t look at the outside of the building
- offers a damp-proof course for every damp patch
- can’t explain what’s causing the problem
- puts pressure on you to book on the day
What happens
next.
Book the visit
Send your postcode, the rooms affected and any photos. If you’re buying, tell us the timescale and whether you need anything in writing for a lender or insurer.
The survey
We look inside and out, explain what we find as we go and answer your questions.
Your quotation
You get a clear quotation for any work needed, including the repairs and making good, with no obligation to go ahead.
Damp surveys
across north & west Cumbria.
Send your postcode to confirm availability, including nearby towns and villages.
Check availabilityCarlisle & the north
Carlisle, Brampton, Longtown, Wigton
West Cumbria & the coast
Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Silloth, Aspatria, Egremont, Cleator Moor
Penrith & the northern Lakes
Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth
Damp surveys
FAQs.
Is the damp survey really free?
Yes. Our damp surveys and quotations are free, with no obligation to go ahead.
My mortgage valuation mentions damp. What should I do?
Valuation and homebuyer reports often recommend further investigation when meter readings are high. Ask a damp specialist to find the cause and recommend what, if anything, is needed. If your lender needs a formal written report, tell us before booking so we can confirm whether we can provide it.
Can a meter tell you if a wall has rising damp?
Not on its own. Moisture meters are designed for timber and can read high on dry walls because of salts or certain finishes. They’re useful clues, but the cause needs confirming from the building itself.
How long does a survey take?
It depends on the size of the property and the problem. We’ll give you an idea when we book.
Do I need to be there?
It helps if you or someone who knows the property is there, so we can ask about the history of the damp and show you what we find.
What if the damp turns out to be something simple?
We’ll tell you. Often it’s a gutter, a downpipe or soil against a wall, and the fix is simple maintenance rather than a big job.
YOUR HOME. A CLEARER WAY FORWARD.
BOOK YOUR FREE
SURVEY OR QUOTE.
Damp, ventilation or plastering. Tell us what you need and arrange a free, no-obligation survey or quotation.
