Specialist Solutions
for Your Property

Damp is usually caused by one of three things — condensation, rising damp or penetrating damp. Identifying which one you're dealing with is the first step to fixing it properly. Left untreated, any of these can progress into more serious problems such as wet or dry rot, or woodworm infestation, so an accurate damp survey early on can save significant cost and disruption later.

Damp can damage plaster, decoration and the fabric of a building if the underlying cause isn't properly identified. In a period property, that cause is often different to what you'd expect in a modern home — this is something we see often in Bath's Georgian terraces, sandstone villas and other solid-wall period properties, as well as similar period homes across Wiltshire, where a standard damp-proof course isn't the right approach and listed building status can add further constraints. We assess the problem first, then recommend treatment based on the actual type of damp affecting the property, not a default solution.

Our aim is to deal with the moisture problem itself, not just cover up how it looks.

• Rising damp assessment and treatment
• Penetrating damp solutions
• Condensation control and ventilation advice
• Damp-related plaster removal and reinstatement
• Advice on moisture management, including for solid-wall and period construction across Bath and Wiltshire

Recognising the Signs of Damp

Some signs point to a specific type of damp, while others can appear regardless of the underlying cause. For anyone buying a period property in Bath or Wiltshire in particular, learning to spot these early is one of the most valuable checks you can make before problems take hold.

Common signs to look out for include:

• Black mould on walls or ceilings
• A damp, musty smell in a room
• Walls or floors that feel damp to the touch
• Water-stained or peeling wallpaper
• Dark patches or tide marks on plastered walls
• Fungal growth on timber (a sign of wet or dry rot)

Basements and cellars are particularly vulnerable to water ingress simply because of where they sit. This is especially common in Bath, where many Georgian properties have basement flats and vaults built into the hillside or beneath the pavement, and these spaces are often prone to damp and water penetration due to their age and construction. We provide waterproofing solutions designed around how the space will actually be used, whether that's storage or a room you want to make properly habitable.

• Basement and cellar waterproofing
• Tanking and waterproof coatings
• Water ingress control
• Solutions for usable below-ground rooms, including converted basement flats

Timber can be affected by insect attack and fungal decay, particularly where moisture is present — something we see often in older properties with traditional timber floors, joists and roof structures. Correct identification matters, so only the areas actually affected receive treatment. A thorough timber survey is often the first step, since woodworm, wet rot and dry rot can look similar to an untrained eye but require different treatment approaches.

We treat the timber problem itself and can advise on any damp or ventilation issues that may be contributing to it.

• Woodworm treatment
• Wet rot treatment
• Dry rot assessment and treatment
• Protection of affected structural timber

Recognising the Signs of Timber Decay

Woodworm, wet rot and dry rot each have their own tell-tale signs, though some overlap and can be easy to miss until the damage is well established. Spotting these early — particularly in period properties with original timber floors, joists and roof structures — can be the difference between a straightforward repair and significant structural work.

Some of the signs to look out for include:

• Small round exit (flight) holes in timber surfaces, often with fine powdery dust beneath (woodworm)
• Timber that feels soft, spongy or crumbles under light pressure (wet rot or dry rot)
• Dark, deeply cracked timber with a "cuboidal" cracking pattern (dry rot)
• Grey or white fungal growth, strands or spore dust on timber or nearby masonry
• A damp, musty smell in areas with exposed or structural timber
• Sagging floors, skirting boards or roof timbers
• Visible dampness or a known moisture source near affected timber

Wet rot and dry rot are both fungal decay affecting timber, but they behave differently and call for different treatment. Dry rot in particular can spread aggressively through masonry as well as timber, making early, correct identification essential. We assess the extent of the outbreak first, then treat and remediate accordingly, rather than assuming every case needs the same approach.

Our aim is to stop the decay at its source and address any underlying moisture issue, not just remove the visible damage.

• Dry rot identification and treatment
• Wet rot identification and treatment
• Fungal decay remediation and timber replacement where required
• Moisture source investigation and advice

Recognising the Signs

• Soft, spongy or crumbling timber
• Deep cracking in a "cuboidal" pattern, typically a sign of dry rot
• Grey or white fungal strands, mycelium or spore dust on timber or masonry
• A damp, musty smell in affected areas
• Visible shrinkage, discolouration or warping of timber

Following damp treatment, damaged or salt-contaminated plaster often needs to be removed and replaced. Specialist replastering provides a suitable new surface and is an important part of most damp-proofing projects — including breathable lime-based systems where an older property needs them rather than standard modern plaster.

We aim to leave treated areas ready for decoration with a clean, professional finish.

• Removal of damaged plaster
• Replastering after damp treatment
• Appropriate remedial plaster systems
• Clean finishing ready for decoration

External render helps shield masonry from the weather while also improving the appearance of a property. Damaged or cracked render can let water in and contribute to internal damp problems, so it's often treated as part of the same job rather than a separate one.

We carry out render repairs and finishes as part of a wider property-protection approach, including breathable renders suited to older solid-wall buildings.

• Render repairs and replacement
• Weather-resistant external finishes
• Crack and damaged-area repairs
• Improved protection and appearance

Mould, algae and surface staining don't just affect how a property looks — left untreated, they can indicate an underlying damp or ventilation issue and, over time, damage render, masonry and timber surfaces. We identify the cause of the contamination before treating it, so the problem doesn't simply return.

Our Therma Tech cleaning service uses advanced, specialist techniques to remove staining, mould, algae and general surface contamination from both interior and exterior surfaces, restoring the appearance and condition of the property.

• Mould and mildew removal
• Algae and green deposit treatment
• External render, brick and stone cleaning
• Interior surface decontamination

Stonework and masonry can deteriorate over time through weathering, moisture penetration and general wear — something we see regularly in Bath and Wiltshire's older stone-built properties, where original Bath stone, traditional brickwork and lime mortar all require specific repair techniques rather than modern, one-size-fits-all materials. Using the wrong repair method on a period property can trap moisture and cause further damage, so we match the repair to the construction.

We aim to repair and protect the existing structure wherever possible, preserving the character of the property.

• Stonework repair and restoration
• Repointing, including lime mortar pointing for period properties
• Brickwork repairs
• Render repairs and improvements

Suspended timber floors rely on a steady flow of air underneath to stay dry. When airbricks are blocked, damaged, or simply insufficient for the space, moisture builds up beneath the floor — creating exactly the conditions that lead to wet rot, dry rot and woodworm in floor joists and timbers. We assess the existing ventilation before recommending a solution, since over- or under-ventilating can both cause problems.

Our aim is to restore effective airflow beneath the property, protecting the timber above it.

• Sub-floor ventilation surveys
• Airbrick installation, repair and unblocking
• Mechanical sub-floor ventilation systems
• Advice for solid-wall and period properties where traditional ventilation has been lost or covered over

When external ground levels — paths, patios, flower beds or driveways — sit higher than a property's damp-proof course, they create a bridge for moisture to pass directly into the wall, regardless of how effective the damp-proof course itself is. This is a common, often overlooked cause of rising damp and internal dampness, particularly where ground levels have built up gradually over years of landscaping or resurfacing.

We identify where ground levels are contributing to the problem and lower them to restore an effective damp-proof course, rather than treating the symptoms indoors while the cause remains outside.

• Ground level assessment and bridging damp identification
• Lowering of external ground levels against walls
• Restoration of an effective damp-proof course margin
• Advice on drainage and landscaping to prevent recurrence

Guttering, downpipes and drainage are a property's first line of defence against water damage, yet damaged, blocked or poorly positioned rainwater goods are one of the most common causes of penetrating damp and masonry damage we see — often discharging water directly against a wall or foundation rather than away from it. We assess how rainwater is currently being managed before recommending improvements.

Our aim is to get water away from the property effectively, preventing the damp and structural problems that come from poor drainage.

• Guttering and downpipe assessment and repair
• Redirecting rainwater away from walls and foundations
• Drainage improvements to prevent water ingress
• Advice on preventing recurring damp linked to rainwater goods

We offer customised thermal improvements to improve your property’s thermal performance and upgrade its EPC rating.

• Renewal and upgrade of existing loft insulation.
• Internal insulated boarding.
• Installation or upgrade of timber or solid wood floors.
• Improving the thermal performance of your property and upgrading EPC ratings through customised thermal improvements.