Damp Surveys in Hampshire

Professional damp surveys across the county of Hampshire by Alpine Surveys

Have you noticed damp in your property? It can be a concern, if you leave it and don’t locate the source of the problem it could be damaging to your property and your health. This is when it is time to consider getting one of our Damp Surveys in Hampshire.

To correctly diagnose damp within a building, a damp surveyor, who carries out Damp Surveys in Hampshire, will use thermal imaging cameras, along with their experience, to correctly locate the true cause of the problem.

In some cases, the cause of damp and mould can be as simple as a change to your habbits

Our independent damp surveys in Hampshire provide clients with a detailed report and recommendations as to how the issues can be rectified

What Causes Damp and Mould?

• Excess moisture.
• Inadequate ventilation.
• Water ingress through windows, doors or even brickwork.
• Broken roof tiles.
• Damaged flashing around roof windows.
• Cracked tiles.

Some damp issues in Hampshire can be resolved relatively easy.

For example, where there is excess moisture, that can be detected using thermal imaging cameras, it may be a simple change in habbits, such as opening a window after a shower.

Another example of damp problems in Hampshire, is the use of tumble dryers.

When using a tumble dryer, the moisture given off from the damp clothes will linger within the room.

Without adequate ventilation, moisture will not be able to escape the room and subsequently begin to penetrate the walls the property. This can lift plaster from the brickwork, cause mould to grow, or deterioration in areas such as timber.

When this happens, additional issues such as timber rot can occur, which, may result in the need to have a timber survey carried out also.

How Can I Reduce Damp & Mould In My Hampshire Home?

• Keep the property well ventilated
• When showering or using the bath, ensure there is good ventilation
• Avoid drying wet clothes on rails in the house with the windows closed
• Try and provide a good flow of air throughout the house
• If in doubt, get a surveyor to check for damp.

What Is Rising Damp and Is It A Myth?

Rising damp is somewhat of a fallacy.

Unfortunately nowadays there are so many rumours in the working industries across Hampshire.

In the surveying/chemical industry, Rising Damp is a huge rumour thats spread so far, people are now making huge sums of money from it.

Rising Damp was the brainchild of the chemical industry as a lucrative service to generate more revenue. Unfortunately they did a good job of spreading the word.

Damp Proof and Surveying companies in Hampshire bring in huge amounts of money from selling often unnecessary services.

The whole Rising Damp campaign came to prominence in the early 1960’s, when companies began to push their damp proof courses and products through marketing.

All of their products have to actually do something in order to gain sales, and slapping a sticker on the front stating it ‘fixes‘ Rising Damp was a sure way of fooling people.

So what actually is ‘Rising damp’? Rising Damp in Hampshire is a name given to dampness that builds up in the lower parts of external walls (generally).

Think of it this way… Some wooden bridges have been standing for years upon years, why hasn’t ‘Rising Damp’ made its way up them?

Rising Damp is a very controversial topic, many damp companies and surveyors have an opinion on it.

Hopefully with people like Alpine Surveys battling through the rumours, we can help others become aware of the expensive pitfalls!

Former RICS Chief Says Rising Damp Is A Myth

Stephen Boniface, who was the former chairman of the construction arm of RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), has told the institute’s members that ‘true rising damp’ is a myth and chemically injected DPC’s (damp-proof courses) are a ‘complete waste of money’.

He further stated, “the most likely causes of damp, are moisture penetration and most commonly condensation”.

Here is Stephen Bonifaces article on Rising Damp