Question 1

How do I know what type of damp I have?

Accepted Answer

You often cannot tell from the symptom alone, and you are not expected to. The pattern of the damp, when it appears, where it sits on the wall and the construction of the building all contribute to identifying the cause during a survey.

Question 2

Is every damp patch rising damp?

Accepted Answer

No. Rising damp is one of several possible causes and is frequently assumed when the true source is a leak, an external defect, a bridged damp-proof course or condensation. This is precisely why we investigate before treating.

Question 3

What causes rising damp?

Accepted Answer

Moisture drawn upwards from the ground through a wall where there is no effective barrier, or where an existing damp-proof course has been bridged or has failed. It is generally limited to the lower part of a ground floor wall.

Question 4

What causes penetrating damp?

Accepted Answer

Water entering from outside — through eroded pointing, cracked render, damaged brickwork, defective flashings, leaking gutters and downpipes, or failed seals around windows and doors.

Question 5

Why is mould forming on my walls?

Accepted Answer

Mould needs moisture. In most homes that moisture is condensation forming where warm, humid air meets a cold surface, which is why it tends to appear in corners, on reveals and behind furniture against external walls.

Question 6

Do I need a damp survey?

Accepted Answer

A survey is worth it when damp keeps returning, when you are about to spend money on treatment, or when a report or a sale has raised the question. If you simply want to know whether it is worth looking at, tell us what you are seeing and we will be straightforward with you.

Question 7

Can damp affect a house sale?

Accepted Answer

It can slow one down, particularly if a valuation or HomeBuyer report recommends further inspection. Understanding the cause usually turns an open-ended worry into a defined piece of work.

Question 8

How much does damp proofing cost in Colchester?

Accepted Answer

We do not publish fixed prices, because the same symptom can require very different work. Cost depends on the underlying cause, the size of the affected area, access, plaster removal and reinstatement, any timber damage, external repairs and the extent of treatment.

Question 9

How long does damp proofing take?

Accepted Answer

Anything from a short external repair to several days of internal work. Where plaster is replaced, the drying period before decoration is usually longer than the work itself.

Question 10

Will plaster need to be removed?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. Where plaster has broken down or become salt-contaminated it generally needs replacing, but we aim to keep removal to the area genuinely affected rather than stripping whole rooms as a matter of routine.

Question 11

What is the difference between wet rot and dry rot?

Accepted Answer

Wet rot stays within timber that is actually wet and stops when it dries. Dry rot can extend beyond the wet timber, spreading across masonry to reach drier wood elsewhere, so it usually calls for a wider investigation.

Question 12

Can old houses need a different approach to damp?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Solid walls built with lime mortars and plasters were designed to absorb and release moisture. Applying modern impermeable materials to them can trap moisture and cause problems, so older buildings are assessed on their own terms.

Question 13

Can I send photos first?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it genuinely helps. Photographs let us understand what you are seeing before we visit, though they are not a substitute for inspecting the building.

Question 14

Do you cover areas outside Colchester?

Accepted Answer

We work in Colchester and the surrounding parts of Essex, including Lexden, Stanway, Wivenhoe, Marks Tey, West Bergholt, Mile End, Highwoods, Prettygate and nearby villages. If you are slightly further out, ask.

Damp questions, answered plainly

Seeing damp or mould in your property?