There are fewer things that can destroy the structural integrity of your home faster than dampness. Addressing damp-related issues promptly is crucial because dampness doesn’t only destroy the aesthetic appeal of your property and cause a drop in value, it can also lead to severe structural damage and health concerns. If you suspect there’s a chance dampness is seeping into your home and eating away its foundation, a damp survey is the first step towards identifying and rectifying the issue. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of what a damp survey involves, how long it takes and, most importantly, how much a damp survey costs.
What Is a Damp Survey?
A damp survey, also sometimes called a damp test or moisture survey, is a thorough examination of a home or building to check for any presence of excessive moisture and damp issues. It’s an in-depth process undertaken by a specialist to uncover, diagnose, and determine solutions for damp problems affecting the property.
The aim of it is to identify issues like rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, water ingress, fungus growth, damp patches, peeling paint or wallpaper, and other moisture-related damage that can occur in your home.
What Does a Damp Survey Involve?
The surveyor conducts moisture readings across walls and floors using professional equipment to quantify dampness levels and pinpoint specific problem areas.
They’ll also check for visible moulds, efflorescence deposits, timber decay, stenches and other symptoms pointing to dampness. Determining the source of dampness is crucial for prescribing appropriate solutions for your home.
Here are some key aspects that are generally covered during a damp survey.
Visual Inspection
The surveyor will visually inspect your property, looking for visible signs of dampness such as damp patches, stains, mould growth, or peeling paint. They may also check for obvious structural issues that could contribute or indicate damp problems.
Moisture Measurement
Specialised equipment, such as moisture meters, are used to measure the moisture content in walls, floors, and other structural elements.
Finding areas with high moisture levels could be an easy indicator of damp issues.
External Examination
The surveyor will walk the perimeter and inspect the exterior of the building to identify potential sources of moisture penetration, such as blocked gutters, damaged roofing, or cracks in the walls.
External factors can be crucial clues in determining the root cause of dampness.
Identification of Damp Types
Different types of damp (rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation) require specific approaches for mitigation. The surveyor will identify the type of damp affecting the property to tailor the remediation strategy accordingly.
At the end of the damp survey inspection, the specialist presents homeowners with a condition report and fully outlines the extent of dampness damage discovered, pointing out moisture sources, severity classification, photographic evidence and, commonly, cost estimations with plans for both immediate and longer-term needs.
These reports help you to make informed decisions on next steps to address problems and prevent further moisture-based deterioration in the property.
The survey is invaluable to prevent advanced decay which can be costly to fix and helps you avoid paying bigger repair bills down the line.
How Long Does a Damp Survey Take?
The duration of a damp survey can vary based on the size and complexity of the property, as well as the severity of the damp issues. On average, a thorough damp survey may take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. Larger or more intricate properties with complex damp problems may require more time for a detailed assessment.
The time required for a complete damp survey can significantly change based on several factors. The size of the home, ease of accessibility to problem areas, building age, and severity of the damp issues.
While a contained damp patch in a modern small flat may take under an hour, a whole house in an older complex property with obstructed areas and multiple affected rooms could take up to a full day. But most average sized home inspections range between 2-4 hours for a qualified surveyor to perform due diligence checks, with follow ups as needed if further investigation is warranted into root causes.
How Much Does a Damp Survey Cost?
Damp surveys require detailed, methodical assessments by certified professionals. The average damp survey costs depend on several factors, including the location, its size, and the extent of the damp issues.
You can expect to pay between £200 and £500 for a standard damp survey. However, prices can vary, and it’s advisable to obtain quotes from different surveyors or companies to weigh your options. You can get your free quote from Atlantis Damp here.
Similar to how long a damp survey takes, the damp survey cost can vary widely.
It depends on factors like:
Size of Home – Larger homes cost more to fix than a compact flat.
Location – Greater demand in expensive cities also helps push up inspection costs.
Type of Surveyor – The qualifications and expertise of the surveyor or damp specialist can also influence the cost. Certified professionals with extensive experience may charge higher fees for their services.
Severity & Type of Damp – Surface mould limited to one patched wall is far quicker to manage than entire houses with chronic rising damp, water ingress and timber decay.
While a contained issue in a modest flat may cost around £250-300, whole house inspections on expansive rural manor homes with hidden decay can run over £1,000 in some cases.
A damp survey isn’t just a cost to keep your home clean. It’s an investment in the long-term health and integrity of your home and your family. While the cost may vary, it is a small price to pay compared to the potential expenses associated with untreated damp problems.
Regular damp surveys can help you identify issues early on, allowing for timely and cost-effective solutions. If you suspect dampness in your home, don’t hesitate to seek the services of a qualified professional to conduct a thorough damp survey and safeguard your property against the damaging effects of moisture.
Get in touch with Atlantis Damp and see how our expert team can help you safeguard your home and your family.
