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DIY damp proofing tips for home
Damp is one of the most common complaints of homeowners in the UK and, if not addressed early on can cause further unwanted problems later down the line.
Dampness in properties can be categorised into three main categories:
Here are South East Timber & Damp’s DIY tips for preventing dampness in your property.
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DIY Damp Proofing Externally
It is important that an ongoing programme of external maintenance is introduced and continued to ensure that the building is maintained in as dry a condition as possible.
Simple checks annually can lead to a drier home.
- Check your rainwater goods, i.e. Downpipes and gutters; ensure they are not broken/ compromised in any way or blocked with leaves, loose tiles, moss etc
- If walls are rendered, then check there are no cracks which will allow water to penetrate into the internal fabric of the building.
- Ensure that the pointing is in good condition and that this hasn’t weathered away over time or disintegrated.
- Check external ground levels to ensure that they are not higher than internal ground levels, allowing dampness to penetrate laterally.
DIY Damp Proofing Internally
Regulating the temperature and improving the airflow in your house is crucial to avoiding a build-up of dampness in your property.
Below are a few ideas on managing the process yourself.
- Open windows often in order to keep your property well-ventilated.
- Turn extractor fans onto full power when cooking
- Dry clothes on an outside line whenever possible
- Consider installing humidity tracking extractor fans in areas of high humidity.
- If partition walls are showing signs of dampness then ensure that you have ruled out leaking pipe – work by instructing a competent plumber
If you've had a go at DIY damp proofing and now need a professional opinion with one of our surveys.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In short – No! We value our experienced surveyors Dean and Lee’s time and can give you the best advice. 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 by us required.
We have 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 problem put their minds entirely at rest and saved them money.
The video below explains why we charge for surveys:
This is subject to the area to be surveyed. We would say the minimum time, if it is in an isolated area in a small house, could be 40 minutes. However, if the property is substantially larger and requires both a timber and damp inspection, this could mean 2 hours plus.
The surveyor will do both external and internal inspections of the property and accessible areas. Obstructions, furniture, boxes, panelling, and floorboards will not be moved. It is for the property owner to move these obstructions to allow the inspection.
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; however, our insurance company limits us to offer realistic guarantees. REMEMBER, a guarantee is WORTHLESS if the company has closed down!
We 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.
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.