The Ipswich Damp & Structural Repair Specialists For Homeowners and Property Professionals in Suffolk and Essex

There are three main types of damp – rising damp, penetrating damp and damp caused by excessive condensation, and below is a summary of their causes and potential solutions:

Rising Damp: 

This form of dampness occurs when moisture from the ground is absorbed by porous building materials, such as bricks or mortar, and moves upwards through walls due to capillary action. This can lead to dampness and damage to interior surfaces, including salt deposits, peeling wallpaper, and rotting skirting boards, with risk of decay to structural timbers. If left untreated, rising damp can create an unhealthy living environment, potentially exacerbating respiratory issues. Effective damp-proof courses and proper maintenance are essential to prevent and treat rising damp.

Penetrating Damp: 

Caused by water infiltration into walls and ceilings due to external leaks, structural defects, or poor maintenance. It manifests as damp patches, damage to plaster or paint, and possible mould growth. Unlike rising damp, penetrating damp can occur at any level of a building. Ensuring proper weatherproofing, repairing structural defects, and addressing issues like blocked gutters and damaged roof tiles are key to prevention and treatment of penetrating damp.

Condensation:

 The process of excess moisture in the air condensing on cold surfaces, such as windows, walls, or ceilings. This is the most common cause of dampness in buildings and can result in damp patches, mould growth, and potential health problems if not properly addressed. Adequate ventilation, insulation, and controlling humidity levels are essential to manage condensation-related dampness. This includes using extractor fans, opening windows, and using dehumidifiers when necessary. Keeping living spaces well-heated and insulated can also help reduce condensation.

Firstly, don’t panic! Of course, check if you have a leak caused by either faulty internal pipework or fittings, or an external defect in your home’s structure.

If you’re able to rule those things out, some likely causes of your problem are:

1.  condensation- which can cause a surprising amount of  – sometimes even seeming like a more serious leak.

There are various things that can cause condensation, from insufficient heating to inadequate ventilation. We can help you get to the root of the problem and recommend remedial actions you can take to rule it out. Just get in touch to book a damp survey.

Apart from spoiling the look of your home, black mould can pose a serious risk to human health. Just cleaning it off periodically is not enough and it’s important to understand and tackle what’s causing it without delay.

Those causes can range from inadequate ventilation to exterior defects which are letting unwanted moisture into your home. We can help you identify the source of the problem and recommend a long-term solution that will get rid of it for good. Just get in touch to book a damp survey.

Yes, black mould is deemed to be a Class 1 health hazard. It, and the dampness that leads to it, can cause respiratory problems, including infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the human immune system and therefore if you have an issue with black mould in your home, it’s important you identify the cause and take steps to get rid of it and prevent it from coming back as soon as possible. Just get in touch to book a damp survey.

We are based in Suffolk and can provide damp and damp-related structural surveys within a 20 to 30-mile radius of Bury St Edmunds, Woodbridge, Oldburgh and Colchester.

The first step in identifying your damp problem is to give us a call and discuss the problem you’re facing. Usually, we will recommend you commission us to carry out a basic damp survey, from which we will provide you with a detailed professional opinion and recommended remedial action, including a breakdown of the costs involved, what needs to happen, any disruption you can expect and how long the process will take, so that you can decide what you want to do next with full transparency regarding what’s involved.

We charge from £49 plus VAT for a basic damp survey and recommendations, which will provide you with a thorough overview of your damp problem, the remedial steps required to eradicate it, how much they will cost, how long they will take, and what level of disruption you can expect in the process. Just get in touch to book a damp survey.

We can identify all manner of timber problems – from dry and wet rot to beetle infestations such as woodworm.

Where an infestation is the issue, we can chemically treat and repair or replace any damaged timbers where required.

If wet or dry rot is threatening the structural integrity of your home, we can replace damaged timbers and then, understanding where the damp has come from that has caused the problem, implement remedies to eradicate this, in many cases installing airbricks or mechanical air flow devices to improve ventilation.

Yes, we are qualified to BS8102 standard to recommend and install all key building waterproofing systems including barrier, structurally integral and drained protection systems in all manner of buildings.

Just get in touch to book a thorough survey to assess your needs, followed by a bespoke proposal.

The scope of the remedial work we perform depends on the specific nature of your dampness issue. Solutions may range from providing guidance on maintaining an optimal indoor temperature to offering advice on ensuring proper ventilation, such as keeping trickle vents on windows open. Our tailored approach addresses each individual situation effectively and efficiently.

Our company is committed to addressing dampness issues using minimally invasive methods, ensuring homeowner comfort during the necessary work. Our unique system provides a breathable and warmer wall finish, which is less susceptible to condensation compared to traditional solutions. This approach effectively treats dampness problems like rising damp while minimizing disruption. With our system, decoration using paint or wallpaper is possible in as little as a week.

As experts in efficient and effective damp solutions, we offer damp surveys to assess your specific needs and develop a tailored plan of action. Contact us to schedule a survey, and we'll guide you through the process, explaining the steps required to create a cozy, damp-free living environment in your home.