Damp Surveys Gloucester

The cost of a damp survey in Gloucester varies depending on the size of the property, how many rooms it has, and how many areas of concern there are.

Damp surveys offered for free, achieve only one goal, and that is to up-sell additional services or repair works, or damaging chemical DPC (Damp Proof Course) injection.

These services are often unnecessary, or damaging to your home.

Always use an independent damp surveyor, who will advise on the correct method to resolve your damp issues!

Call: 0330 333 9238 for a free damp survey quote

A professional building surveyor will use thermal imaging equipment, such as a Flir thermal imaging camera to help him locate the source of the damp problem.

During the damp survey, the damp surveyor will investigate the true cause of the damp and detail their findings in a comprehensive report along with cost effective recommendations.

There’s a saying that goes, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!”. The same goes for free damp surveys.

Some companies offer free damp surveys, but often you’ll find they are carried out but unqualified sales people, who’s intention it is to upsell another service or product, making the free damp survey worth their while.

More often than not, a free damp survey will result in recommendations to have some type of damp proofing work carried out, either using chemicals, or some construction work.

This is rarely needed and can cause unnecessary, and costly damage to your property. In fact, most damp issues can be resolved easily and with minimal cost.

A dehumidifier is designed to capture moisture by using a simple system that freezes the moist air, then collecting it into a sealed container.

A dehumidifier alone may solve condensation issues but may not resolve damp problems, unless you have identified what caused the damp in the first place.

An independent damp surveyor will be able to find the true cause of the damp problem in your home.

The simple answer is yes, you can sell a house with damp issues in your home.

However, the extent and severity of the damp problem may affect the market value of your property.

If in any doubt, seek the advice from a professional independent damp expert, who will be able to advise on your options to remedy the damp issues.

A damp surveyor will be able to provide useful advice that would resolve the damp issue, and may subsequently increase the asking price.

The damp surveyor, or inspector, will first of all carry out a thorough inspection of the external areas of the property, including,

• The roof
• Guttering
• Brickwork or stonework
• The ground around the property
• Deterioration
• Windows and doors
• Downpipes
• Chimney

He will also check internally for damp, focusing on all the rooms one at a time.

As he moves from room to room, he will use a thermal imaging camera, along with his knowledge and experience, to detect for signs of damp.

Areas of damp inspection internally include, (but not limited to)

• Walls
• Floors
• Ceilings
• Roof spaces
• Basement
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Toilets
• Windows
• Doors
• Garage

Damp is caused by a build up of moisture or condensation that has nowhere to go.

To reduce damp and moisture in your home, ensure you have good ventilation. Ensure that extractor fans are working and adequate for the room.

Avoid drying clothes in areas where there is no, or little ventilation. It is also advisable, when using a tumble dryer, to ensure adequate ventilation is provided.

Most damp problems in Gloucester are caused by poor ventilation in the home.

A common form of damp is often caused by inadequate heating and ventilation.

This occurs when household activities such as cooking, tumble drying or even showering, raises the level of humidity in the home.

The warm air condenses on colder surfaces, such as windows and walls, creating condensation and moisture in the air, as well as on your clothes and furniture.

The time it takes to carry out a damp & timber survey in Gloucester varies, depending on the size of the property.

A typical 3 bedroom property takes around 2 to 3 hours to complete. The surveyor then requires another couple of hours to compile the report.

After a damp and/or timber survey in is complete, the surveyor compiles a detailed damp survey report, along with recommendations to rectify any damp issues found.

Quite often, this requires only slight lifestyle changes within the home, despite other companies often recommending unnecessary, expensive repair work to be carried out.

Once a professional damp specialist has provided the damp report, is then up to the homeowner to instruct a reputable contractor, or builder to carry out any of the recommendations within the damp report.

It’s unlikely your home insurer will cover your home for damp unless it has been specifically added to your policy.

It is down to the owner to ensure the property is in good state of repair. If in doubt, contact your insurance company and enquire.

Damp insurance cover may be an option that can be added to your policy, however, the insurer may ask for an independent damp survey to be carried out first.