Book your survey today!
What is Damp Proofing?
Damp proofing refers to the range of treatments and techniques used to prevent or repair damp issues in a property. At South East Timber and Damp, we specialise in damp-proofing solutions for homes and buildings across Kent and south east London – from modern flats to historic listed properties.
Much of our work involves protecting existing structures using proven, up-to-date methods that stop damp from spreading and causing costly damage. Left untreated, dampness can lead to serious problems – not just for your home, but for your finances too. Repairs can run into thousands of pounds, so early action is key.
While there are affordable damp-proofing options available, getting a professional assessment ensures you choose the right solution the first time. That’s where we come in. Our lead surveyor and business owner, Dean Webster, brings years of hands-on experience to every job. Alongside his trusted team of qualified surveyors, Dean delivers expert advice and treatment backed by guarantee, giving you long-term peace of mind.
The causes of damp
There are three main types of damp found in properties: condensation, rising damp, and penetrating damp. Each has its own causes, signs, and required treatments, so accurate diagnosis is essential.
At South East Timber and Damp, our specialists are fully trained to identify and treat all three types. However, these damp problems can often be mistaken for one another, as symptoms like stains, mould, or peeling paint may look similar.
The key difference lies in the direction and source of the moisture:
- Condensation builds up on cold surfaces due to humidity.
- Rising damp moves up from the ground through the brickwork.
- Penetrating damp enters through walls, usually from external defects.
Each type requires a different damp proofing solution, so we never begin work without a professional survey. This ensures we identify the exact cause and recommend the most effective, long-lasting treatment, tailored to your property.
Our Customer Reviews
Damp Works, London
Very likely to recommend
'Excellent' scores
Damp Proofing, Hawkhurst
Very likely to recommend
'Excellent' scores
Damp proofing, Kent
Very likely to recommend
6 'Excellent' scores
What are the signs of damp?
If you suspect damp in your home, there are several clear warning signs to watch out for. Recognising these early can help you avoid costly repairs and get the right damp-proofing treatment in place:
Musty Smell: A persistent musty or mouldy odour is one of the earliest signs of damp. This smell often indicates hidden mould growth caused by excessive moisture in the property.
Visible Mould Growth: Mould appears in various forms and colours – including black, green, yellow or white. It typically forms on walls, ceilings, and around windows where moisture levels are high.
Damp Patches: You may notice dark, discoloured, or wet areas on walls, ceilings, floors, or near windows and doors. These patches often remain damp to the touch and do not dry out.
Peeling or Bubbling Wallpaper and Paint: High moisture levels can break down paint and wallpaper, causing bubbling, flaking, or peeling. This is a common symptom of ongoing damp issues behind the surface.
White Salt Stains (Efflorescence): Damp can draw natural salts out of building materials, leaving behind white, powdery deposits on internal walls — a clear sign of moisture movement.
Tide Marks and Staining: With rising damp, water from the ground travels upwards through walls, leaving tide marks or stains that often appear a metre or more above the skirting board.
Cold or Damp Walls: Walls that feel cold or damp to the touch may indicate penetrating damp, where water seeps in from outside the property.
Condensation on Windows: If condensation frequently forms on the inside of windows or glass doors, it's a sign of excess humidity – often linked to poor ventilation and potential damp problems.
Timber Decay: If wooden fixtures feel soft, spongy, or show signs of crumbling, it could be a sign of fungal growth. This can occur when moisture causes timber to rot – a serious symptom of untreated damp.
Problems caused by damp
If left untreated, damp in a property can lead to serious and wide-ranging issues. These fall into three main categories: structural damage, health risks, and economic consequences.
Structural issues
Wood Rot: One of the most damaging effects of damp is wood rot. When moisture seeps into timber, it can weaken the structure of your home. Left unresolved, this may compromise the building’s overall integrity.
Mould Growth: Persistent damp conditions provide an ideal environment for mould to grow. Mould can attack walls, ceilings, and flooring, leading to widespread internal damage.
Decay of Building Materials: Dampness affects plaster, wallpaper, and paint, causing materials to crack, flake, or disintegrate. Over time, this deterioration can impact both appearance and stability.
Foundation Damage: Ongoing exposure to dampness can reach a building’s foundations, leading to long-term structural problems that are expensive to correct.
Increased Maintenance Costs: Repeated repairs to manage or cover up damp can quickly become expensive. Without the correct damp proofing treatment, these costs only escalate over time.
Health-Related Problems
Respiratory Conditions: Damp environments can worsen respiratory problems. Mould spores and dust mites thrive in humid homes and may trigger asthma, allergies, or bronchitis.
Infections: Those with weaker immune systems may face a higher risk of infection when exposed to ongoing damp and mould.
Skin Irritation: Prolonged exposure to damp environments has been linked to skin conditions and persistent irritation.
Economic Problems
Reduced Property Value: Visible signs of damp and mould can lower the appeal of a property, making it harder to sell and reducing its market value.
Higher Heating Bills: Homes affected by dampness are more difficult and costly to heat. Moisture makes it harder to retain warmth, especially in poorly insulated properties.
Increased Insurance Premiums: Persistent damp issues can make it more challenging to secure home insurance, and may result in higher premiums over time.
Damp Proofing Case Studies
Damp Treatment
Taking swift action to treat damp is essential to limit damage and reduce long-term impact. However, before any damp proofing work begins, it’s crucial to correctly identify the underlying issue.
Whether the cause is condensation, rising damp, or penetrating damp, accurately locating the source of moisture is the first step.
Once the cause is confirmed, our team can carry out a range of effective treatments, such as installing a damp-proof course or applying a damp-proof membrane.
That said, we’re always honest in our approach. If the solution is simple and can be resolved by the property owner, we’ll advise you accordingly. We never recommend unnecessary treatments, just the right fix for your specific damp problem.
Treating Rising Damp
Rising damp occurs when moisture travels upward through brickwork from the ground.
This is often caused by a faulty damp proof course (DPC) or changes to ground levels around the property — for example, a flower bed that now sits above the original DPC level.
Treatment options vary and may include installing a new damp-proof course, applying a damp-proof membrane, or making adjustments to the surrounding ground. However, before any work begins, our team will carry out a full damp survey to determine the most effective solution for your property.
Penetrating Damp Treatment
Penetrating damp occurs when water enters the property from above or through external walls, often due to issues with the roof, brickwork, or gutters.
Common signs include visible discolouration on the outside wall and internal symptoms such as bubbling paint or wallpaper, damp patches, and tide marks running down the walls.
Treatment typically begins with identifying and stopping the source of moisture. Often, this may be as straightforward as repairing a damaged gutter or drainpipe. A professional damp survey will determine the exact cause and the most effective way to treat the issue.
Condensation Treatment
Condensation is a common damp issue in properties with poor ventilation. It typically affects high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms, where steam builds up. In many cases, simple steps such as opening a window or using pan lids help reduce the problem.
However, if condensation continues, it may indicate a wider issue with airflow throughout the property. An imbalance in internal temperatures is often a contributing factor. In these cases, more effective solutions, such as installing extractor fans or improving overall ventilation, may be required to prevent long-term damp problems.
Basements or Cellars Damp Treatment
Properties with habitable space below ground level are especially vulnerable to damp problems. The key challenge is gravity — surface water naturally tries to seep into lower areas of a building.
This issue is particularly common in older properties, where the original damp proof course (DPC) may have deteriorated over time, leaving basements and cellars exposed to persistent moisture.
At South East Timber and Damp, we offer a tailored approach to basement damp proofing. Depending on the property, this may include tanking systems, waterproof membranes, or the installation of an advanced drainage system to protect the space and keep it dry long term.
Damp proof guarantee
We are very proud of our 10-year guarantee on our work. We don't expect any issues, but if there are, we will come back out and resolve them free of charge.
We offer a 10-year guarantee on our work because we are confident in our service and know that anything longer is meaningless.
As we mentioned, we don't expect issues as our team are experts, but we will resolve any that arise.
Next steps in damp proofing
At South East Timber and Damp, we pride ourselves on providing you with the right solution for you, not us. Getting professional help at the outset will ensure that you treat the right problem with the right solution.
The first step would be a damp survey. Depending on your needs, we have three options. Once the survey results are known, we will advise on a course of action to resolve the problem.
We will provide an end-to-end, professional service if you choose to work with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common signs include musty smells, peeling paint, discoloured walls, or mould. If you're unsure, we offer professional damp surveys across Kent to assess the issue quickly.
Rising damp moves upwards from ground level, while penetrating damp comes through walls from the outside. Each requires different damp proofing treatments — our team will identify the cause and recommend the best solution.
In short – No! We value our experienced surveyors, Dean and Lee’s time, and can give you the best advice around. We charge a small fee to cover some of the costs as many times, some straightforward maintenance advice will remedy the issue without any work required by us.
We charge a range of survey fees, from £95 to £295, to carry out a timber and damp inspection. Many clients have said that a thorough, honest investigation into their damp and timber problems has completely put their minds at rest and saved them money over the years.
In general, if remedial works have been carried out, then – YES. However, check your written report to ascertain the length and type of guarantee and any exclusions or maintenance requirements.
Our guarantees are up to 10 years long.
We KNOW there are 20- and 30-year guarantees out there. However, our insurance company limits us to offering realistic length guarantees. Remember, a guarantee is worthless if the company has closed down!
We do offer the ability to purchase a GPI insurance policy for a one-time fee to run alongside our guarantee. See our dedicated page on GUARANTEES to find out more.
South East Timber and Damp are members of the Property Care Association.
PCA members are professional and trustworthy. They carry out thorough surveys, delivering peace of mind through detailed investigations and correct diagnosis.
All members are trained, experienced, vetted and qualified surveyors and contractors.
If works are required, members can complete highly specialised repairs and remedial treatments effectively, efficiently and safely, using skilled, experienced site operatives.
Look out for the PCA logo before you select a contractor.
Need help? Book a survey at a time to suit your schedule
Our mission is to give you the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to waterproofing your house or business. Commission a survey from our team to assess your situation professionally.