Frequently Asked Questions

Each type of damp has its own tell-tale signs, though some overlap and can appear regardless of the underlying cause. For first-time buyers in particular, learning to spot these early is one of the most valuable checks you can make before problems take hold. Common signs include:

• Black mould growing on walls
• A damp, musty smell in rooms
• Walls or floors that feel damp to the touch
• Water-stained or peeling wallpaper
• Water stains or dark patches on plastered walls
• Fungal growth on timbers — a sign of wet or dry rot

Correct treatment always depends on the cause, so the first step before any remedial work begins, is to ensure that the root cause is identified. A damp survey is the most reliable way to do this. One of our specialists will come out, assess the property and determine whether moisture is due to indoor humidity (condensation), ground moisture (rising damp), or a defect letting rain in (penetrating damp). Treating the wrong type of damp rarely solves the problem and can sometimes make it worse.

Identify the cause. A damp survey will confirm whether you're dealing with condensation, rising damp or penetrating damp, and where moisture is getting in or building up.

Stop the water access. This might mean improving ventilation, repairing roof tiles or render, or replacing a failed damp-proof course. Without addressing the source, any remedial works won't hold.

Remove traces of damp. Dry out affected walls, remove damaged wallpaper, and clean away black mould. Damp-proof paints are often used at this stage to protect walls and help prevent mould returning.

Redecorate and monitor. Once the property is dry and the cause resolved, it's ready to redecorate. It's worth keeping an eye on the area afterwards, particularly where condensation was the cause, as conditions can change with the seasons.

A dehumidifier can help in the short term, particularly for condensation, by removing excess moisture from the air and reducing the conditions that allow black mould to return. Many are available to hire rather than buy, making them a practical short-term step. They treat the symptom, not the underlying cause, so they work best alongside proper diagnosis and treatment rather than instead of it.

For everyday condensation control in a lived-in home, a standard household dehumidifier can help keep moisture levels down. However, if a property has been significantly affected by flooding, a burst pipe, or a serious damp problem, a domestic unit is rarely powerful enough to dry it out properly. Industrial and specialist dehumidifiers extract moisture at a much higher rate and are designed to dry out walls, floors and structural timber — not just the air in a room — which is essential for preventing problems like wet rot, dry rot or mould from taking hold before the property is fully dry. We use specialist equipment for exactly this reason when drying out a property after flooding or excessive dampness.

It's a fair concern, but it's worth weighing against the alternative. Industrial dehumidifiers are typically used for a defined, relatively short period — just long enough to dry the property out properly — rather than running continuously, so the running cost is usually far lower than people expect, and considerably less than the cost of repairing timber decay, replacing damaged plaster, or dealing with mould that's taken hold because a property wasn't dried out properly the first time. We can advise on how long drying is likely to take for your specific situation, so there are no surprises.

Whether it's a small patch of mould, rising damp, or a woodworm infestation, a specialist assessment helps ensure the cause is correctly identified, and the right treatment is used, therefore reducing the risk of the problem recurring. This is especially important in period and solid-wall properties across Bath and Wiltshire, where the cause of damp is often different to what you'd expect in a modern home, and a standard damp-proof course isn't always the right approach. This is why an expert is required to diagnose the issue correctly in the first place.

We work closely with letting agents and landlords to investigate reported damp issues, but as the property isn't yours, the best first step is to speak to your landlord or letting agent and let them liaise with us directly. If you're a landlord or letting agent reading this on behalf of a tenant, get in touch and we'll arrange a damp survey to identify the cause and recommend the right next steps.

Yes, we'll always do our best to fit in around these windows. It's worth bearing in mind that certain times of year, particularly the summer break, get busy, as landlords of student accommodation are often all trying to schedule repairs in the same short period. We'd always recommend getting in touch as early as possible to avoid disappointment and secure the dates you need, ensure all the works can be completed, and drying time has been factored in to allow any other trades such as decorators to come in.

For remedial works required while a tenancy is ongoing, we always aim to carry these out with as little disruption to tenants as possible.

Yes, this is something we regularly help with. We also carry out damp and timber surveys where an issue has been flagged for further investigation following a RICS survey, giving you (or your mortgage lender) a clear, specialist assessment of the problem and what's needed to resolve it.

Yes. Quotes and surveys are chargeable. Please contact us to arrange an appointment and confirm the applicable fee before booking.

The cost covers our time, visiting the property, carrying out a thorough assessment, and providing a written report along with a quotation for any recommended remedial works. This gives you a clear, professional record of the cause of the problem and what's needed to fix it, whether that's for your own peace of mind, a letting agent, or a mortgage lender or an Insurance claim.

We always try to make our reports as clear and straightforward as possible, avoiding unnecessary jargon, so you come away with a clear picture of the problem and what's needed to fix it. Where technical terms for different parts of a property are used, it can help to refer to the RICS Typical House Diagram, which shows the standard terms used for the various parts of a house. If anything in your report isn't clear, just get in touch — we're always happy to talk you through it. In fact we have been told by return customers it is one of the things they value about our service, that they fully understand the problem, works suggested and the process, as all our team take the time to ensure that explanations are jargon free.

Simple survey — for properties where the problem areas are already known and can be shown to us, with someone present at the survey to point them out. Investigations required are a bit more limited.

Advanced survey — a more thorough, time-consuming assessment used when less is known about the property, for example as part of a house purchase, where we need to investigate more broadly rather than focus on a known issue/s.

Yes — all relevant works, including damp proofing, tanking and timber treatments, are guaranteed. Once the final payment is received we will issue the guarantee which is in the name of the property and transfers when ownership does.

Yes, we offer insurance-backed guarantees on eligible work, giving you extra peace of mind that your guarantee remains valid even in the unlikely event we're no longer trading. Get in touch for details on which works this applies to and any administration charges that apply.

This depends on the type of work carried out and how wet the walls were to begin with, but as a general guide, walls need time to dry out fully before redecorating — often several weeks for more significant damp issues. We'll give you a clear timeframe specific to your property once the work is complete.

In most cases, yes — we'll advise on the right approach for your property, which may include using a breathable paint or specific drying instructions to avoid trapping any remaining moisture. Following this guidance helps protect the work that's been carried out, reduces the risk of problems recurring and ensures a high quality long lasting finish.

Tanking and waterproofing systems are designed to work as a complete, sealed system, so it's important to be careful with any DIY work afterwards, as the wrong approach can compromise the waterproofing and void your guarantee. A few key points to follow:

• Don't drill or fix directly into tanked walls without checking with us first — piercing a tanking membrane or waterproof render can create a route for water to get back in.
• Use the correct fixings for below-ground spaces where fixing is needed — standard wall plugs and screws aren't always suitable, and specialist fixings may be required to avoid breaching the waterproofing.
• Leave any cavity drain membrane and drainage channels accessible and unblocked — if your system includes a sump and pump, these need to remain clear and functional, as covering or boxing them in without proper access can prevent maintenance and lead to problems going unnoticed.
• Use appropriate decorative finishes. We'll advise on the right products for your specific system, as not all paints, plasters or flooring are suitable over a tanked wall or floor.
• Keep ventilation in place. Even a well-tanked space benefits from adequate airflow, so avoid blocking any existing ventilation when decorating or fitting out the room.
• Speak to us before making changes. If you're planning any alterations — shelving, partition walls, flooring, or anything that involves fixing into the treated area — it's always worth checking with us first to make sure the waterproofing isn't compromised.

Following these steps helps protect the waterproofing system and keeps your guarantee valid. If you're ever unsure, just ask — it's much easier to check beforehand than to resolve a problem afterwards.