Damp and timber problems are among the most common — and most misunderstood — issues in UK properties. Misdiagnosis leads to unnecessary work (and cost), while missed problems lead to progressive deterioration. Getting an accurate diagnosis from an independent surveyor is the starting point for effective treatment.
We carry out damp and timber investigations across Bath, the Cotswolds, and Gloucestershire, providing independent assessments free from the conflicts of interest that arise when treatment companies provide “free surveys.”
Why Independence Matters
Many damp and timber “surveys” are carried out by treatment companies who offer the inspection free of charge. The business model is obvious — the survey almost always identifies problems requiring treatment, conveniently provided by the same company. Damp-proof course injection, chemical timber treatment, and tanking systems are frequently recommended where simpler, cheaper solutions would suffice.
We have no treatment products to sell. Our only interest is accurate diagnosis and appropriate recommendations. Sometimes that means recommending specialist treatment. More often, it means identifying the actual cause — which is frequently a maintenance issue rather than a structural deficiency.
Common Damp Problems
Rising damp is far less common than the treatment industry suggests. Genuine rising damp — where ground moisture rises through masonry by capillary action — does occur but is often misdiagnosed. Many properties diagnosed with “rising damp” actually have condensation, penetrating damp from external defects, or high ground levels bypassing the existing damp-proof course.
Penetrating damp results from water entering through the building fabric — failed pointing, cracked render, leaking gutters, defective flashings, or poor detailing around windows and doors. The solution is almost always repairing the source of water entry, not applying internal treatments.
Condensation accounts for the majority of internal dampness. It’s caused by moisture-laden air contacting cold surfaces. The solution involves improving ventilation, reducing moisture sources, and improving thermal performance — not chemical injection.
In Bath and the Cotswolds, older properties built from local stone with lime mortar behave differently from modern cavity construction. Understanding these differences is essential for accurate diagnosis — and it’s an area where our local surveying experience makes a real difference.
Timber Issues
Woodworm (beetle infestation) affects many older properties. However, much of what’s found is historic and inactive. Identifying whether infestation is current or dormant determines whether treatment is actually needed.
Wet rot occurs where timber remains persistently damp. The solution is always to address the moisture source — treating the timber without fixing the cause is pointless.
Dry rot is the most serious timber fungus. It can spread through masonry and affect timber well beyond the visible outbreak. Dry rot requires specialist treatment, but accurate identification and extent assessment are critical first. Over-treatment is expensive; under-treatment risks recurrence.
Our Approach
We use a combination of visual inspection, moisture measurement, environmental monitoring, and sample analysis to diagnose damp and timber issues accurately. We explain what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what needs to be done — in plain English.
Where specialist treatment is needed, we recommend independent contractors rather than companies with a vested interest in selling treatments. Where the solution is a maintenance repair, we say so — even though it’s less dramatic than chemical injection.
Contact us if you have damp or timber concerns in your property.
