Don’t ignore condensation and damp in your home. It’s not just unsightly: if left unattended, damp can result in structural problems and damage to the fabric of the property.
Damp is not something your average builder can sort out. If you think that you might have a damp problem at home, you need good advice on how to proceed. Here are four ways you can go about it:
- Look on the internet
If you’re reading this article, then you’re already doing this. The internet is full of advice on how to deal with damp, and there are lots of online articles on the topic. Many of these are on the websites of companies providing damp-proofing services, and while some of these might be well written, you should also look out for advice from independent bodies and consumer advice groups like Which?
- Speak to your local council
Your local council will have building inspectors or housing officers that you may be able to speak to about the problem. It’s worth finding out who they are and having a chat with them. They probably won’t give you a formal recommendation, but most are happy to talk off the record.
- Independent damp surveyors
Independent damp surveyors can inspect your property in order to diagnose the damp problem and recommend a solution. They are not linked with builders or damp-proofing companies, so the advice you get should be unbiased, as they do not stand to gain from recommending expensive or even unnecessary treatments.
- Free surveys from damp-proofing companies
Most damp-proofing companies will provide a free survey of your property to identify the cause of your damp problem. So why pay a surveyor when you can get a free survey? The risk is that the company providing the survey might recommend unnecessary treatment.
A recent Which? investigation found that this was surprisingly common, even with companies that were members of the Property Care Association, the largest trade body for this industry. However, other there were other companies that did give good advice.
In-depth research yields good advice
Start by doing your own research online, using independent sources where possible and speak to your local council. Try to get a feel of how much your repairs might cost. Which? publish a useful guide to dealing with damp, and you can find it online. If you decide on a free survey, you should get at least companies to assess the property and provide quotes. If there are inconsistencies, then consider an independent surveyor.
There’s in fact nothing to lose from going for the free option first. London Damp Company are an established, experienced damp proofing company with an excellent reputation, so why not call them for a free survey?
