Damp & Timber Surveys

A damp and timber survey can help establish the cause and extent of problems affecting a property before remedial work is considered.

PPS carries out surveys for homeowners, landlords, property buyers and property professionals where there are concerns about damp, moisture or timber deterioration.

Typical reasons for requesting a survey include suspected rising or penetrating damp, visible mould, damaged plaster, decaying floor timbers, woodworm activity, fungal decay or problems identified during a property purchase.

Every property is different, so the investigation is tailored to the symptoms and construction of the building.

The survey may include:

• Visual inspection of affected areas
• Moisture testing
• Inspection of walls, floors and accessible timbers
• Investigation of possible sources of moisture
• Assessment of ventilation and condensation
• Identification of timber decay or insect attack
• Photographic evidence where appropriate
• Recommendations for further investigation or remedial work

The aim is to establish why the problem is occurring, rather than simply treating the visible symptoms.

PPS investigates a wide range of moisture-related defects, including:

Rising Damp
Moisture rising through walls where the damp-proof course is missing, damaged or bridged.

Penetrating Damp
Moisture entering through walls, roofs, defective pointing, gutters, external render or other building defects.

Condensation and Mould
Problems associated with excess humidity, inadequate ventilation, cold surfaces and everyday moisture generation.

Leaks and Building Defects
Plumbing leaks, defective drainage and other construction faults can sometimes produce symptoms that are incorrectly diagnosed as rising damp.

Moisture can have a significant effect on structural and decorative timber within a building.

Our surveys can investigate:

• Wet rot
• Dry rot
• Woodworm and insect attack
• Floor joist deterioration
• Suspended timber floor problems
• Poor sub-floor ventilation
• Moisture-related timber decay

Where possible, the survey aims to identify both the extent of the damage and the underlying moisture source.

Correct diagnosis is particularly important with damp and timber problems.

Treating the wrong cause can lead to unnecessary work, additional expense and the original problem returning.

PPS takes a survey-first approach, identifying the likely source of the defect before recommending appropriate remedial action.

Our regular service area extends approximately between:

• Newcastle to the north
• Barnard Castle to the west
• Northallerton to the south
• Saltburn and the North Yorkshire coast to the east

Within this area, PPS regularly works in towns and communities including:

• Stockton-on-Tees
• Middlesbrough
• Hartlepool
• Billingham
• Yarm
• Eaglescliffe
• Thornaby
• Ingleby Barwick
• Wynyard
• Sedgefield
• Darlington
• Stokesley
• Guisborough
• Redcar
• Saltburn
• Northallerton
• Barnard Castle
• Newcastle