A damp survey is a thorough investigation of a property carried out by a professional in order to determine if there is any damp present. It’s vital to have one carried out if you’re purchasing a new property or if you believe your home might be experiencing problems associated with dampness.
In this article, we explain what a damp survey is, what it involves, and how long it takes.
How to Tell If You Need a Damp Survey
A damp survey is a report compiled by a professional damp specialist. There are several instances when you might require one, including:
- If you are purchasing a new property
- If you are selling your property
- If you suspect you might have damp
- If you notice any signs of damp
If you notice any of the following signs, there’s a high probability you have damp in your home. You should arrange for a survey to confirm this. These signs include:
- Musty or fungal smells
- Visible mould
- Rotting timbers
- Damaged plaster or wallpaper
- Broken masonry
- Salty tide marks on walls
What Does a Damp Survey Show?
Importantly, a damp survey will confirm the presence of damp in a property and can also show what type of damp is present.
A thorough damp survey will confirm if you have any of the following in your home:
- Condensation
- Rising damp
- Penetrating damp
Damp surveys are often carried out as part of a wider ‘damp and timber survey’, where a specialist will check for wet and dry rot, woodworm infestations, and other issues associated with damp and timbers.
What Is Involved in a Damp Survey?
A comprehensive damp survey will involve a professional entering your property and carrying out a number of different investigations and tests. They will ask the property owner a number of questions in order to find out how old the property is, whether there are any noticeable problems, and more. Once the survey has been carried out, the specialist will compile a report based on their data, observations and findings.
A few of the key steps that a damp surveyor will undertake include:
- Asking the property owner questions
- Looking at the history of the property
- Taking physical observations of the property
- Assessing visible signs of damp
- Using specialist equipment such as a damp meter to locate damp
How Long Does a Damp Survey Take?
The time it takes for a damp survey to be carried out depends on the size of the property and the extent of any problems that may be found. This does not include the time required to compile the report afterwards.
Contact Atlantis Damp to Book Your Damp Survey
If you’re worried about damp in your home or if you’d like a thorough damp survey carried out when purchasing a new property, Atlantis Damp is here to help.
For more information or to book your damp survey, contact the friendly team at Atlantis Damp today.
