What is penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp, otherwise known as lateral damp, is the development of moisture through the walls and roof or below ground area of a building. Like most cases of damp, if left untreated it can cause problems for the structure and significant damage to the fabric of your home.
Cavity wall insulation = cause of problems?
Over the last few years there has been a surge across the UK of houses finding they have wet insulation and poorly fitted insulation. The reasons behind this can vary from the natural porosity of the masonry, building defects and the geographical location itself with wind driven rain driving through the exterior surface and into the insulation material. Over time, this can cause real damage and of course the insulation that was put there to keep you warm and dry is in fact having the opposite affect and leaking more heat out….
What can it do?
If a penetrating damp problem is left untreated it can cause deterioration to the fabric of your property including damage to walls, floors, ceilings and can even cause rot to timbers. Unlike rising damp penetrating damp, can happen at any level of your property.
Damp penetration can affect any age of property. Older properties which have had a lack of maintenance are more at risk of dampness problems causing deterioration to the building fabric. This is not to say that modern buildings do not suffer from penetrating damp. In some cases, due to defective workmanship or design, modern buildings can also suffer from damp in walls.
Nathan and Kris were on time, professional and got the job done as quick as possible without missing a spot. Would highly recommend.
I was very please with the work the company has done. I had damp throughout the house so had damp-proofing including an injection of damp course. Given the extent of the job they completed the work efficiently and with minimum disruption. The workmen were always polite and very helpful. The finished work was excellent. Only time will tell if the damp problem has been sorted but the company made it they would come back to fix any issues. I have no doubt they are true to their word and would recommend them to anyone.
Booked in quickly and survey was much more in depth then expected. Felt very comfortable in our decision and was a notch above the rest.
Great company from initial call to completion. Gave quote with no hidden extras, started and finished on time – the finished product looks great. Kris & Nathan were stars of the show, arrived on time, worked hard all day, polite and personable, cleaned up when finished, a credit to the company.
I spoke to Jack on the phone, who was very friendly and professional. Then James performed our survey. I found James and the experience with the Home Building & Surveying Company very refreshing, compared to others I have used in the past. They were very honest in their assessment and responses, with no hidden extras, providing very valuable advice. I am, and will in the future recommend them to anyone with damp challenges.
Really found the team to be honest, upfront and very well trained in how to work in peoples homes. Great work. Regards J.
Immaculate, efficient service, it wasn’t a big deal for Luke and his team. Keep up the Good work. Highly recommended.
We booked a survey with Home Building & Surveying Company and their service has been impeccable. We had a survey from another company but they didn’t provide the same level of detail and advice. We had treatment across two days and the team explained what they were doing and kept us informed of the progress. Completely professional and a good quality job, I strongly recommend them!
“I am very pleased with the work done from the initial survey to completion of the damp treatment. I would like to particularly commend Josh & Joe as a team they were courteous, efficient & professional in their workmanship”
“First class job done by two great tradesmen!”
Job well done, new damp course and replastering completed. Paul and Dean were excellent, tidy and kept me updated throughout.
Excellent work, professional team, left clean and tidy. Very impressed with the work.
Lee & Mason did the work on our property and we found them to be very polite, professional and clean ..wouldn’t hesitate to recommend
“Thanks to Franky, Daniel & Sonny for all their hard work. They have worked beyond expectation”
Great work on a damp proof course and other bits and pieces. Arrived on time and knew exactly what to do. Leagues above the other quotes. Hope I don’t need you again but would be happy to recommend.
Good lads, grafted hard and done a good job.
Spoke to a very polite and friendly chap called Jack on the phone who explained all about the exterior painting they do, and I decided to have a survey. The surveyor Stuart was very knowledgeable, and I’ve decided to go ahead with them. There’s too many cowboys out there, so it’s nice to see such professionalism from a company for once.
Really impressed with the guys and all their effort, the building looks like new and the guttering finishes it off nicely. cheers
Had a meeting with their surveyor Andrew yesterday 15/02/2022. I have to say he was very professional. Very happy with the quote we have been given and hoping to go ahead with the work early summer. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
The Home Building & Surveying Company were excellent in all departments – professional, reliable, well-informed. They resolved multiple residential issues with minimal fuss and would definitely use them again, though fingers crossed I shouldn’t need to!
“The overall improvement is brilliant and the installation team were first class!”
Excellent customer service! James did a very thorough survey and identified a small breach in the tanking in the basement (not fitted by them) He was very knowledgeable and did his very best to find an ‘economical’ solution. He was very honest and I was able to conclude that at this point the cost of repair far outweighed the benefits gained. Should the situation change I would definitely use them.
Very happy with the work Home Building carried out at my property, very knowledge, competitive and friendly. Thanks for the hard work of your installers too they did a great job! Thanks again
What are the causes?
Penetrating damp usually occurs if you own or live in a property that has building defects e.g. Defective roof coverings, a leaking rainwater pipe or faulty pointing to doors and windows. Some of the most common cases of penetrating damp come from defective masonry, render and pointing. Brickwork, pointing and render can deteriorate with age, frost or physical damage. This is one of the main reasons why older buildings are affected by penetrated damp as their building materials may be deteriorating over time or have been affected by storm damage and therefore not able to do the job they were designed to do.
If the structure of a building is failing, then your property may be allowing moisture to soak completely through the wall. This is a sign that your property waterproofing system is failing. You can also find penetrating damp where the external ground levels are higher than the internal floors or damp-proof membranes to concrete ground floors or solums below your ground floor are defective. You may also find damp in areas below ground level like the basement or cellars of your home.
Proper and accurate diagnosis of the damp problem is important so that the appropriate remedial repair is specified. Each of our customers receives a detailed report once the survey has been completed by one of our surveyors.