Damp and Timber Survey in North Wales

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Damp and Timber Surveys & Damp Reports Undertaken in North Wales on Behalf of: Homeowners, Buyers, Sellers, Solicitors’, Mortgage Lenders & Re-Mortgage Equity Release Companies. Damp Specialists in North Wales Providing Accurate Diagnosis for: Rising Damp, Condensation, Woodworm, Wood Rot, Wood Boring Insects & Dry Rot.

Covering the following areas: North Wales, Conwy, Flintshire, Flint, Wrexham, Gwynedd, Ynys Mon, Denbighshire, Rhyl, Ruthin, Colwyn Bay, Bangor, Anglesey, Mold, Caernarfon, Bangor, Harlech, Holyhead, Holywell, Rhos on Sea, Denbigh, Dwygyfylchi, Abergele, Barmouth, Caerleon, Llandudno, Penmaenmawr & Prestatyn.

Need a Specialist Damp Report or a Timber Damp Survey North Wales? Call: 0800 246 5668 To Book a Survey.

Independent Damp Surveyors Approved & Registered (C.S.R.T.) (C.T.I.S.) Damp Proofing and Timber Treatment Specialists. We Have Been Carrying out Specialist Timber and Damp Surveys & Report Services in North Wales for Well Over 40 YEARS.

Rising damp specialists offering chemical free, eco-friendly cost-effective sustainable solutions. Therefore, avoiding unnecessary, costly & disruptive chemical injection treatments offered by many remedial damp proofing & timber treatment companies in North Wales.

Adept UK Damp Surveyors – are proud to provide damp & timber surveys for local based residents, with the most reliable specialist damp and timber report company in North Wales.

Independent Damp Surveys in (North Wales). Approved damp control specialists & timber decay surveyors who are accredited damp-proofing specialists & Certificated Surveyors in Remedial Treatments (C.S.R.T ) (C.T.I.S.) qualifications recognized by the Property Care Association (P.C.A) Formally known as the (BWPDA) (British Wood Preserving & Damp Proofing Association)

Are you in the process of moving and considering purchasing a property? It is always advisable to anyone buying a property to have a pre-purchase damp and timber survey conducted by damp, wood rot & woodworm treatment companies before completing on the sale of a house in North Wales.

If you’re looking to buy a property or you are currently selling your home in North Wales, then we are your ideal local independent damp proofing & timber specialists who can investigate all damp & decay issues

It is also in one’s best interest to obtain an in-depth pre purchase specialist damp proofing timber & damp report carried out by C.S.R.T. approved registered damp-proofing & timber treatment specialists based in North Wales, especially if any wood rot and rising damp & woodworm infestation problems have been flagged up and highlighted in a building surveyors home buyers report.

If your looking to book a damp and timber survey & report regarding signs of rising damp, wood decay or a woodworm inspection North Wales area, then simple get in touch with one of our locally based damp and timber surveyors to book a survey and arrange an appointment.

At last, you’ve found your perfect home in North Wales, you’ve agreed a price with the sellers, your mortgage company have sent a mortgage surveyor to inspect and value the property, you wait for the homebuyers report with great anticipation and then you are informed by your mortgage lenders, that you need to arrange a damp and timber survey from damp proof, wood rot & woodworm treatment companies North Wales.

What is a Damp and Timber Survey?

Damp and timber survey with a written report carried out on a property in North Wales, can cover any of the following;

Damp report & woodworm survey for clients buying a property in North Wales and need to get a house or flat inspected by damp specialists and checked for signs of woodworm, wet / dry rot & walls tested for suspected rising damp and penetrating damp to ground floor walls.
A damp survey North Wales including a specialist damp report is available to all residents for rising dampness, wood rot, timber decay & wood boring beetles (woodworm infestation)
Damp-proofing report and woodworm survey for rising dampness, wood rot, timber decay & wood boring beetles (woodworm infestation)
Damp treatment specialists will carry out an external inspection to locate the position of any damp course and for high ground levels which may lead to low level dampness and timber decay to abutting flooring joists.
Damp and timber survey for building society’s, banks & mortgage lenders who have requested a PCA timber survey / PCA damp report off the back of a property valuation that has just been done.
Woodworm survey / inspection in North Wales by woodworm specialists to wooden flooring & roofing timbers for dry rot, wet rot & woodworm.
Dry rot, damp proof, wood rot survey with a report for mortgage companies for suspected timber decay dry rot, wet rot and any active woodworm, for clients buying or selling a property in North Wales.
Damp and timber inspection to assess whether (air bricks) sub floor ventilation is adequate and to insure that there is no woodworm, rising damp & wood rot decay present in the floor timbers.
Woodworm experts North Wales can carryout an inspection on exposed roofing & loft timbers, we can inspect roofing timbers for signs of dry rot, wet rot and active woodworm and provide a report & provide a quotation for woodworm treatment in North Wales.
Damp-proofing & timber treatment specialists North Wales, can also inspect & report upon any remedial damp & timber treatment work, which may have been previously carried out on a property & guaranteed by Property Care Association (PCA) approved registered damp-proofing and timber treatment companies North Wales.
Woodworm treatment specialists can also inspect roofing timbers for any signs of suspected dry rot, wet rot timber decay and active woodworm found in lofts in North Wales.
If requested we can comment on the visible condition of external roof coverings and rainwater goods
Condensation damp mould surveys involves damp surveyors inspecting a property for any visible signs of any condensation & black-mould and other related issues found in properties in North Wales.
Roof timber survey / inspection services, loft timbers inspected for wood rot, dry rot, wet rot & beetle infestation (woodworm) due to water damage & leaking roofs.
Timber survey, surveyors can also carry out an intrusive sub-floor timber inspection to inspect and report upon concealed joists underneath floorboards, and to determine the condition of any other wooden flooring for suspected wood rot, timber decay & any signs of active wood boring insects (woodworm) at an additional cost.

Of course, all the above are subject to your instructions. The most important aspect for any damp and timber survey is whether access within the property is available, surveys will always be limited by things such as furniture, floor coverings, fitted kitchen units, etc. However, we can use an array of surveying equipment including; endoscopes, ladders, dual mode moisture meters, mirrors and even binoculars.

When buying a new house in North Wales, it is important to have a property checked for rising dampness & inspected for woodworm infestation, prior to exchanging contracts, so the cost of any specialist damp-proofing and timber treatment for wood boring beetles can be negotiated with the vendor.

Our specialist damp and timber surveyors are accredited Certificated Surveyors & Experts in Remedial Damp & Timber Treatments (C.S.R.T ) qualifications recognised by the Property Care Association (P.C.A)

SURVEY FEED BACK

“Received the brilliant specialist damp and timber report on the house we’re buying in Pwllheli . Our lenders were happy with your damp-proof course & woodworm survey results and we got our mortgage. Thanks so much.’
E.L. Sand Street, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales, LL53 5HY September 2022.

‘Thanks so much for carrying out the damp and timber survey on my new 1900 home in Ruthin and getting the damp and timber report to me so quickly as it was the only thing delaying my mortgage offer.’

Denbigh Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, North Wales, LL15 1PE May 2021.

“Thanks for the damp report that you sent through which explained quite clearly what the damp problem was. Local builders have now carried out the damp treatment and external ground lowering works and the walls are already starting to dry out. Thanks so much.’ Mold Road, Gwersylit, Wrexham, LL11 4AA December 2019.

“Many thanks to your damp proof course specialists for the damp and timber survey report that you supplied for my mortgage providers. You have saved us thousands of pounds on our new house in Conwy by not having to do the damp-proofing & woodworm treatment services recommended by other woodworm treatment companies in North Wales.” Two bedroom Stone Cottage, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, North Wales, LL22 8PF November 2020.

“Thanks very much for the brilliant damp and timber report & woodworm inspection, it’s just what we need to get our re-mortgage’ on our house. 1930 Bungalow, Meliden Road, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, North Wales, LL19 8RL October 2018.

Money saving case histories

Bridged damp proof course, causes ‘rising damp’- Kings Avenue, Llandudno Conwy, LL3O 2BQ -January 20121.

Many damp-proofing companies & surveyors in North Wales have a default setting to recommend chemical damp-proofing and water proof plastering as a solution to any dampness that may be at the base of a wall, a North Wales based Property Care Association member damp-proofing and timber treatment company recommended chemical damp-proof treatment to this 1910 built terraced house even though it had a perfectly good slate damp-course and a band of blue engineering bricks at the base of the wall which also stops rising dampness.

Our damp survey in Llandudno found that the dampness was due to partial bridging of the damp-course by raised external ground levels which was allowing water to pond at the base of the walls leading low level water ingress and induced rising damp internally.

Rising damp can be controlled without any damp-proofing work being required by ensuring that the evaporation rate from the wall is greater than the water uptake and we therefore recommended the installation of a ventilated drainage channel which will allow water to drain away and also let moisture evaporate from the brickwork. Our client carried out this work himself and saved over £4,000 by avoiding unnecessary, expensive and disruptive chemical damp-proofing.

Deganwy Quay, Deganwy, Conwy, LL31 9DQ – November 2021.

This semi-detached house was built with a slate damp-proof course and like most houses had a band of blue engineering bricks at the base of the wall which are almost impervious to water and act as a further barrier to dampness.

An electro-osmosis damp-course, chemical damp-proofing together with waterproof plastering had also been installed during previous renovation works yet a North Wales based PCA member damp-proofing and timber treatment company said that over three thousand pounds worth of damp-proofing work was still required.

We checked all the walls identified on the PCA members’ damp report and found that there was no rising dampness and no damp-proofing works were required. We checked all skirting boards abutting potentially damp walls and these had an average reading of less than 5% which is too low to sustain decay and indicates that the background wall is free from damp and there was no justification for another injected damp-proof course.

The only work that was required was reduction of ground levels to prevent any low-level moisture ingress and some gutter repairs to prevent any penetrating dampness.

Holyhead Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 – November 2022.

This 1930’s house was built with a slate damp-proof course which will still be effective in controlling rising dampness but a North Wales based damp-proofing and timber treatment firm carried out a free survey and said that rising damp was present throughout the ground floor and damp-proofing and waterproof plastering costing around £5,500.00 were required.

We inspected all the walls noted on their damp report and found that there was no rising dampness and no need for a chemical damp-proof course. The only damp we found was on a rear wall near the door to the back garden where there was some water seepage at the base of the door frame which was alleviated by applying waterproof mastics to the door frame and coating the wall with a silicon water repellent.

Internally the only work that was required was the replacement of a damp section of skirting board with pre-treated softwood. These works were carried out by a local builder for less than£150, saving our client over £5,300.00

Bridged damp-course and blocked sub floor air bricks causes ‘rising damp’ – Ruthin Close, Buckley, Flintshire, CH7 3QL, – May 2018.

The buyers’ mortgage survey said that there may be damp in external walls so the estate agent arranged for a free survey from a Wrexham based damp-proofing company. They said in a typical standard damp report that ‘This rising dampness is most likely to have been caused by the absence of a damp proof course or the breakdown of the existing damp proof course’ and recommended damp-proofing and water-proof plastering costing around £6,500.00.

The property was built around 1900 and a slate damp-course was visible at the base of external walls but this has been partially bridged where ground levels had been raised when a concrete patio base was laid causing water penetration into the brickwork and ultimately induced rising damp internally.

Slate damp-proof courses never break down and even if they crack slightly due to building movement they will still be effective in controlling rising damp and therefore no damp-proofing work s were required and all that was needed was the lowering of ground levels to expose the damp-course which would stop the bridging effect and also allow the brickwork to breathe and let moisture evaporate externally.

The raised patio had also partially blocked air bricks and tis was restricting sub-floor ventilation and allowed a build-up of water vapour under the floor which condensed on exposed brickwork causing further rising damp internally.

We opened up existing air bricks and installed extra units so that the number and configuration of vents complied with current Building Regulations and these improvements provided a robust flow of air under the floor to purge excess moisture from the floor void which helps dry both walls and sub-floor timbers.

The reduction of ground levels and modification to the air-bricks/sub-floor ventilation were sufficient enough to remove any ‘rising dampness’ from the walls and no chemical damp-proofing works were required. The total cost of the work was around £3000,.00, saving our clients £3,500.00 as well as avoiding all the disruption that comes with damp-proofing and plastering works.

Pre-purchase damp and timber surveys carried out by Adept UK to satisfy mortgage requirements

Dampness and timber surveys & reports are frequently required as part of a lender’s criteria before money is released as part of a mortgage or equity release scheme. Building Society surveyors often highlight the possibility of dampness and timber decay problems and will recommend that further specialist dampness and timber surveys are carried out.

Mortgage surveyors & building society surveyors in North Wales always seem to err on the side of caution when there is the slightest hint of dampness or timber decay in properties they survey. This applies even more in a lot of properties in the UK where a lot of houses are stone built and do not lend themselves to the more popular damp-proofing systems.

Most mortgage & building surveyors in North wales simply use a moisture meter to detect dampness but these meters are not accurate on plaster or brickwork and they often give mis-leading readings and then surveyors immediately recommend a ‘specialist PCA damp report or a PCA timber survey with report’.

Forewarned that damp has been picked up on a mortgage survey these ‘free damp surveys’ (which are really just damp & timber quotes) will regularly mis-diagnose rising damp and recommend chemical damp-proofing which is unnecessary, expensive and disruptive. If there is any damp it can usually be controlled in more cost effective, eco-friendly ways.

Most houses in North Wales that were built around 1875 to 1900 etc. have had a physical damp-proof course fitted and despite what a lot of damp-proofing surveyors say these are unlikely to break down and allow rising dampness to occur.

Despite knowing this a survey detected ‘rising damp’ on the front wall of the house as part of a mortgage survey and recommended further investigation. We found that the existing damp-course was intact and still functioning and that the cause of the ‘rising damp’ was due to leaking guttering which had allowed rainwater to splashback off the driveway and into the base of the wall.

Moisture then travels through the wall by capillary action to appear as induced ‘rising damp’ internally. No damp-proofing works were required and all that was needed was the replacement of the defective gutter, saving our client the expense of having unnecessary and expensive damp-proofing works carried out.

Condensation Specialists in North Wales

Adept UK damp and condensation specialists have helped reduce condensation and damp issues in North Wales and the surrounding areas. At Adept UK, we pride ourselves in our customer service and look forward to demonstrating how we can assist you and your condensation problems.

In North Wales condensation and damp problems can cause significant damage to properties, and if left untreated it can take a long time and be very expensive to repair. Damp & condensation problems can lead to further issues including mould, decorative spoiling & damage to furniture and house contents.

Of the many problems that can affect your home over time, dampness & condensation are two of the most troubling. Damp is capable of affecting the whole structure of your property and can also result in health problems for residents.

These problems cause stress and worry, for home owners, tenants and landlords. Damp and condensation look’s unsightly, despite regular cleaning, so it is essential to deal with the root cause.

Obtaining an independent survey is advisable for an accurate and informative diagnosis, using plain English, with no hidden agenda of obtaining works or materials that are often ineffective and often not needed

Diagnosing damp & timber decay problems in North Wales – what signs to look for

Your first step in fixing any dampness in your home is to find the main source. There are many different types of dampness – here are the signs you should be looking out for.

RISING DAMP

Rising damp is caused by a non-existent or faulty damp-proof course and describes the action of groundwater moving up through a wall through capillary action. Due to the nature of rising damp, only your ground floor walls will be affected by this type of damp. Signs of rising damp include:

A noticeable rising damp tidemark on ground floor interior walls up to 1.5m
Peeling paint and flaking skirting boards
Blistering plaster and paintwork
White powder on walls (salts)

PENERTRATING DAMPNESS

Penetrating dampness, otherwise referred to as water ingress, means that water is making its way into your home from the outside walls. This can occur in a number of ways, either via a burst pipe, leaky roof, or damaged masonry. Common signs of penetrating dampness include:

Localised damp patches on external walls and ceilings
Damp that becomes more visible when it rains
Moss or algae growth on external walls
Damaged stone & brickwork (spalling)
Damaged guttering and down pipes

CONDENSATION

Condensation is caused by poor ventilation and is the most common type of damp to affect UK homes. Condensation mostly occurring during the winter when the difference between external and internal temperatures is most dramatic. Signs of condensation problem include:

Fogging on windows
Black mould growth on windowsills, walls and even behind furniture
Smell of mildew
Blistering paint
Peeling wallpaper

TIMBER ROT

If timber comes into contact with damp masonry, beetle infestation & wood rot can occur – beetle infestation can occur with only the slightest amount of moisture. Where timbers form structural elements to your property such as roof timbers, floor joists and timber lintels etc. it is important to act quickly when a defect is found or suspected.

Beetle infestation and rot can cause timbers to become weak and structurally unsound, sometimes in a relatively short space of time. The quicker a defect is identified the easier and cheaper the problem will be to cure.

Wet rot fungal decay and beetle infestation are the most common problems found in buildings, however there are many more which can be identified by a C.S.R.T. timber surveyor.

The characteristics of different types of rot and beetle infestation can be very similar in some cases; however, the severity and treatment does differ. All rot and beetle infestation can cause timber to become structurally weakened and should be investigated as soon it becomes apparent.

DRY ROT

Damp, fungal mushroom smell and springy sub floors and joists
Affected timber feels brittle and warped
Deep cracks in the wood – often in a ‘cube’ formation
Evidence of mycelium growth on timbers (white fluffy coating)
Large fruiting bodies

WET ROT

Affected timber feels wet and spongy
Affected timber will appear darker
Easy to crumble
Damp smell & musty odour
Look out for black fungus growth

Contact our independent damp, timber & woodworm specialists in North Wales today!

If you have already identified your damp problem, great! Our independent damp & woodworm treatment services can offer environmentally friendly cost-effective damp solutions, unlike other woodworm treatment companies in North Wales.

If you need further help with identifying the cause of damp in your home, then we can carry out a professional damp survey to provide the answers you need to get started on any repairs.

Damp and timber reports are usually requested by banks and building societies as a condition of a mortgage offer being accepted so that they can be sure that the structure of property is free from rising dampness, wood boring insects, and wood rotting fungi.

You may not buying a property, and therefore do not need to arrange a pre purchase mortgage damp and timber report, then we can still help with our trouble shooter survey.

Independent damp-proof specialists in North Wales can carry out brief damp and timber surveys to give you peace of mind. Together with chemical free cost effective environmentally friendly remedies.

Independent damp and timber reports in North Wales

Independent damp-proofing and timber treatment services offered by independent damp specialists in North Wales, are to control and prevent any rising damp, timber decay and woodworm infestation.

We provide independent specialist damp and timber surveys & reports which will accurately diagnose any dampness & decay issues using in-depth surveying techniques which are sympathetic towards buildings, an approach widely ignored by most damp-proofing specialists and timber treatment companies based in North Wales.

Our comprehensive and impartial damp and timber reports come complete with recommendations for any remedial work which are usually chemical free & environmentally friendly solutions, avoiding costly disruptive treatments used by many damp-proofing & rising damp companies in North Wales.

Independent timber damp surveyors have been providing damp surveys, woodworm surveys, dry rot surveys & specialist damp and timber reports for many years in North Wales, and are recognised as one of North Wales’s most established and respected damp specialists in surveying and diagnosing problems with rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, dry rot wood rotting fungi, woodworm.

We have carried out countless inspections for rising damp, woodworm & dry rot, saving many clients thousands of pounds on unnecessary chemical damp-proofing & timber treatment work on properties in North Wales.

If a more in-depth specialist damp and timber survey & report has been requested by your mortgage lender, home buyer or building surveyor, it may seem like a worrying prospect, especially if you are a first-time buyer, but be assured, this is normal practice and should not discourage you from buying a new house.

It is important for you to ensure that your property is free from any damp and timber defects which could get progressively worse and depreciate your new home investment.

If you have been informed by the vendor that previous specialist damp proofing & woodworm treatment has been carried out by other damp specialists & timber treatment companies in North Wales, which has been guaranteed by damp proofing companies.

You and your solicitor are advised to check exactly which areas of the property have been treated, if the company is a registered member of the Property Care Association (PCA) and if the damp-proof & timber treatment contractors guarantee is valid. Never assume that the property is completely covered and check that the damp & timber treatment company in North Wales is still trading.

Adept UK C.S.R.T.an independent qualified specialist damp-proofing and timber treatment surveyors will carry out a thorough survey of the property and test to determine the exact cause of any defects.

Damp experts North Wales will expose timbers and lift floor boards wherever possible, take random moisture reading to the ground floor walls, using a calibrated moisture meter and inspect the property externally to check for building defects. You will be issued with a comprehensive report from property care damp specialists, detailing our surveyors’ findings and what remedial work and repairs are required..

Damp and Timber Report Feed Back

I contacted Adept UK and explained, that I’m in the process of buying a Victorian 2/3-bed mid-terrace stone house in North Wales The home buyer report showed high levels of damp which were flagged up in certain parts of the house. The building surveyor recommended before exchange of contracts – to “Obtain a Damp and Timber report on the stone cottage.

The report should include a check for any possible infestation of ground floor timbers. Obtain all costs for necessary treatment from a PCA registered timber & damp treatment contractor.

All timbers should be checked for wood boring infestation including an inspection for woodworm in roof timbers and other decay simultaneously” Adept UK carried out the survey for us, the damp turned out to be condensation and no woodworm timber decay was found in the roof timbers.

I instructed two more damp-proofing and timber treatment specialist companies located near me in North Wales to carry out a survey, and all their surveyor (salesman) tried to do was sell me chemical products which were completely unjustified. So, thanks very much Adept UK for your honest, meaningful damp and timber report

You may be enticed by the offer of a “free survey” by other woodworm treatment companies & damp-proofing specialists based in North Wales, however some local damp-proofing contractors and surveyors invariably state that your property has rising dampness and will unsurprisingly recommend the installation of a chemical damp-proof course together with timber treatments.

These treatments offered by approved damp-proofing specialists & dry rot treatment companies in North Wales are rarely required and completely unjustifiable.

Most of this work as well as being costly and disruptive is usually unnecessary as rising dampness is often assumed to be the main problem when it may in fact be it could be condensation or penetrating damp, due to raised ground levels etc., and these two problems can usually be remedied at a fraction of the cost of remedial works.

Unfortunately, most damp-proofing surveyors in North Wales, even Property Care Association (PCA) members, seem to have a default setting and will recommend chemical damp-proofing and water-proofing plastering works without considering other more environmentally friendly options as these specialist damp-proofing and timber treatment works have a much greater profit margin than general building work.

Before waiting for a purchaser to have a ‘free damp and timber survey’ it would be considered prudent, for any homeowner selling their property, to have their own damp survey and written report undertaken to find the full extent and costs of any suspected rising damp, woodworm, & timber decay thus avoiding any potential buyer withdrawing their offer and pulling out of a property sale.

Adept UK independent damp surveyors undertake independent damp, dry rot, timber decay & condensation mould surveys for homeowners, buyers, sellers, estate agents, management letting agencies, banks mortgage lenders, landlords, tenants, solicitors, housing associations, and equity release companies located in North Wales.

So if you live in North Wales and think that you have any problems with dampness, woodworm or timber decay and need free impartial honest advice from damp-proof & dry rot treatment specialists then please call Adept UK or email us by clicking on our contact form where you are guaranteed a fast, friendly independent specialist damp & timber report service.

Do you need to obtain an Independent Damp and Timber Survey in North Wales?

An Independent damp and timber survey is an perfect way of ensuring that your property is safeguarded against woodworm infestation, wood rot decay, and rising dampness particularly where basements or cellars are concerned.
An Independent damp and timber survey can also be used to speed up the claims process in the unfortunate event of an insurance claim.
An Independent damp and timber report can be used to generate a specification for damp-proofing & timber treatment companies to follow when carrying out damp-proofing and timber treatment works on properties in North Wales.
Owners of all types of properties will also find an Independent damp survey highly beneficial when coming to sell their property in North Wales as an it will give prospective purchasers peace of mind and therefore speed up the sale. If a problem is uncovered however, the vendor then has the opportunity remedy the situation prior to marketing the property saving any last-minute glitches in the sales process.
After our companies initial damp inspection our report will make everything clear by including, explanations of observations and a breakdown of any cost for wood rot, rising damp & woodworm treatment in North Wales.
An Independent damp survey is an ideal means of avoiding situations where bad advice is given by unqualified damp-proofing and woodworm treatment companies in North Wales, therefore giving you peace of mind that the information you receive during a damp-proof assessment is given impartially with no vested interest in finding work.

Book A Rising Damp Survey in North Wales

A damp survey in North Wales is available to all local residents. We do charge for damp surveys but the fee is usually deducted from any chemical treatments which are found to be necessary. This can be discussed when you get in touch to discuss or arrange your survey and we will inform you of the survey costs involved, this will be advised to you in advance of our visit.

Visiting Your Property For A Rising Damp Survey

Damp surveys and diagnosing any moisture issue in your home or property should always be treated as a priority. When you are planning to buy a property, we understand you need to move quickly. If the situation occurs that you need a damp proof-course report & survey urgently, you can call on Adept UK Damp & Decay.

We are happy to arrange to attend your property, usually the next working day, if it suits you. Alternatively, you can book your damp survey at a more convenient time. Our rising damp surveys service can be useful for both property owners and landlords, whether it is for your current property or one you are looking to potentially buy or let in the future.

If you need to get a damp-proof course report & survey on a property that you do not yet own or are in the process of buying, we will be happy to arrange to meet with an estate agent or tenant on your behalf in North Wales.

Adept UK Damp Surveyors are all experts, with extensive knowledge and experience when dealing with rising dampness.

A damp survey report will identify these common problems. We can also look at associated timber defects, such as dry rot or woodworm infestations, caused as a result of rising damp.

Woodworm Treatment Companies in North Wales

Woodworm treatment services in North Wales can vary quite significantly and, in most cases, may not even be necessary.

Woodworm can be found in many properties in North Wales however, the key to treating woodworm infestations is to actually know whether or not the woodworm evidence is historic or active.

Or if the beetle infestation requires any treatment at all!! When these two simple points are determined by one of our specialist woodworm surveyors, it could result in saving you hundreds, even thousands of pounds on unnecessary woodworm treatment services.

With over 40 years treating woodworm we are one of the most experienced and trusted woodworm companies in North Wales.

Woodworm Treatment in North Wales

Do you need woodworm treatment in North Wales? Then we can help you, we provide professional woodworm treatment quotes & surveys. If you have woodworm problems, in your floorboards, floor joists or roof timbers then please contact your local timber treatment specialists to book an inspection, we offer fast efficient woodworm treatment with very competitive prices throughout North Wales.

Woodworm infestations can be isolated in exposed beams to one room or can become well established throughout the whole of a building and can cause significant structural damage.

Therefore, if you find evidence of a suspect Woodworm Infestation in your home, it is crucial to get independent advice by damp-proof and Woodworm treatment specialists in North Wales to avoid the wrong diagnosis and spraying treatments.

If you need your roof, floor joists & floorboards inspected or rotten timbers replaced in your house, bungalow, flat then simply give our woodworm specialists a call to discuss our services.

Dry Rot Specialists in North Wales.

Dry Rot is a serious fungal infection that can be found in buildings throughout North Wales and the UK. Dry Rot can have a devastating effect on building s and can be very costly to treat and eradicate.

Dry Rot is a serious fungal infection that can spread throughout buildings, through masonry and behind plaster work. It feeds on timber and has the ability to remove all structural integrity from timbers.

Dry Rot Surveys North Wales.

Dry rot surveys & treatments by specialists are required to eradicate the fungal infection following strict specialist protocol. Any person(s) dealing with the infection should hold the CSRT qualification (Certified Surveyors in Remedial Treatments) to ensure that the relevant and specialist Dry Rot Treatment procedures are being carried out.

If the essential procedures are not carried out, the Dry Rot fungal infection is likely to return. When a Dry Rot outbreak has been identified it is essential that treatment is carried out as soon as possible to avoid further damage and further expense.

Damp Proofing Companies in North Wales.

Many enquiry’s we have from clients all over North Wales is that they need a damp survey report and quotation from damp-proof specialists and for damp proofing because they suspect rising damp and have been told by other damp proofing companies in North Wales that they have rising damp and damp proofing is needed in the form of a chemical proof injection.

This is usually not the case. Most of the time dampness is found to be present due to lack of maintenance, bridging of the physical damp proof course or another source of moisture.

TIMBER SURVEY IN NORTH WALES
On the day of the timber survey, any timbers accessible will be inspected for woodworm infestation or timber decay (dry rot, wet rot). Depending on the accessibility, floor boards may be lifted with the vendor’s permission as long as they are loose enough without causing damage to the flooring.

Subfloor timbers will be analysed for moisture content, beetle infestation, wet rot and dry rot as well as making sure there is adequate sub-floor ventilation to keep the timbers dry.

Roof timbers will be inspected if safe access is available again inspecting the timbers for dry rot, wet rot or woodworm infestation. Once the timber survey has been carried out the timber report will be forwarded to you via email.

DAMP SURVEY IN NORTH WALES
On the day of the damp survey with the instructions received from the client, the specialist damp and timber surveyor will inspect all accessible walls at ground floor level including chimney breasts for rising damp and any other source of dampness using an electric resistance meter, a non-destructive method for detecting rising damp.

The surveyor will inspect the exterior of the property for high external ground levels, which can lead to penetrating damp at low level and put any abutting timbers at risk of timber decay.

If you notice tide marks on your walls, peeling paint, wet patches or damaged skirting boards, you may have a rising damp problem, which most commonly affects older properties. Rising damp occurs when porous materials, such as mortar, bricks and stone, soak up moisture, and the dangers include timber decay, wet rot, various health conditions and more.

Whether it’s due to the damp-proof course in your walls being ineffective, poor ventilation or a drainage problem, it’s crucial to resolve the issue promptly for the sake of your comfort, finances and home’s condition.

This is where our independent specialist damp and timber surveyors’ step in to provide you with an accurate and honest diagnosis. Initially, locating the damp proof course/level is the first procedure.

Then identifying potential bridging issues of the damp proof course level, or in other instances other sources of moisture ingress that may present as rising damp to the inexperienced surveyor but in actual fact this is far from accurate.

In most cases, simple general building works which can be carried out by general contractors can be carried out to resolve damp problems without the use of costly chemical damp proof courses/damp proofing.

Damp report? Damp survey? Terms which mortgage providers use every day, in and around North Wales, when people are either buying / selling houses and there doesn’t have to be a damp problem for a damp survey to be asked for by a mortgage lender.

Many of us don’t buy and sell houses every day, so when a PCA damp survey or a PCA damp report is asked for by mortgage lenders, people don’t know where to turn and that leaves them open to mis-diagnosis, confusion and sometimes; very poor service.

So, what is a damp survey and when is a damp survey needed and what is a damp report is likely to contain.

Damp is a common issue and affects a large number of homes. At the benign end it can be ‘something and nothing’, perhaps a few spots of mould and damp staining on ceilings due to a slipped roofing slate / tile.

However, at the other end of the scale, damp can cause real damage to a house; rotting structural roof and floor timbers, perishing wall plaster and sometimes making selling a house difficult, as potential buyers and mortgage lenders are put off.

A damp survey is usually asked for because a previous survey, by a valuation building surveyor has picked something up, which he wants investigating further, often by independent damp specialists like us. I’ve been carrying out damp surveys on houses for the last 40 years.

So I’ve done quite a few! Sometimes a PCA damp report is merely asked for as a precaution; there may be no suspected problem, but the building surveyor wants to be sure and double check, to protect his client from a costly surprise.

These surveyors often state in a homebuyers report that a PCA damp and timber report will be required for mortgage loan approval.

A damp survey would be carried out like this:

After arranging access with the vendor, the damp surveyor will arrive and after a brief introduction get to work. This will first involve a walk around the outside of the property. The damp surveyor needs to establish the construction details, are the walls solid, cavity, rubble filled? Is there a damp proof course present?

What’s the lie of the land like, sloping? How high in relation to the internal floors and such? What is the design of the house like; features which may need regular maintenance and could allow damp to occur if ignored; valley gutters; copings at verges, rainwater pipes; surface water drains; other walls intersecting the house, like boundary wall, retaining walls and such? All of these will be taken in by the surveyor. Are there chimney stacks capped?

A surveyor will then, they will look for any building defects: What’s the pointing like? Render? Is it cracked, hollow, in contact with the ground or bridging the damp course (if there is one present)? What about the gutters and down-pipes? Is the DPC bridged? Are there vents or ventilation cowls for the kitchen and bathroom extractors? Is the stone / brick porous? Are there garden bushes which could block gutters and hide other damp problems?

If this sounds a lot, it’s not an exhaustive list, but gives a flavour of what any experienced and qualified damp surveyor will be considering within minutes of arriving.

The damp meter will not be used yet. First, it’s a visual check-around the property, looking for damp staining, loose wallpaper, peeling paint, salting or other signs of any damp problems. Then they will use their moisture meter to test the walls:

Testing and checking the walls where there are no apparent signs of damp (but where a surveyors observations lead too), just in case the damp problem is new and hasn’t damaged the internal decorations yet.
Where a visual damp problem is seen, and where an elevated damp reading is found, they will want to use their moisture meter to check if the problem is an historic one, which has dried out. If it hasn’t and high damp readings are obtained, our surveyors will start to profile the area of wall, to find out what the relative distribution of the moisture is. A moisture profile will help his damp diagnosis and combined with the visual internal and external inspection; it should allow a reasonable diagnosis of the cause of the damp to be made.

A damp report is needed so our surveyors will be taking notes and perhaps photographs along the way, so that a meaningful written damp report can be issued.

Recommendations, as to what to do about the damp (if any noted) are an essential part of the damp report. These could include simple maintenance work, like re-pointing, installing an extractor fan, or repairing gutters, down-pipes and any roofing repairs.
Sometimes the cause of the problem may be rising damp or a severe penetrating damp issue. In these cases, an independent damp specialist will prepare a damp report, which includes a specification for any required work.

Independent damp specialist surveyors don’t quote for work, but will offer a repair specification and advice on how to find specialist damp proofing companies to carry out the work for you.

What qualifications are there for damp surveyors?

Qualifications recognised by the (PCA) property care associated for approved damp surveyors are defined as CSRT (Certificate in remedial treatment). The CSRT is the modern version of CRDS & CTIS and is roughly the same other than the fact that CSRT is a combined damp and timber infestation qualification.

Covering North Wales areas of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Wrexham and all bordering counties.

Damp specialists providing damp and timber reports, together with chemical free cost effective environmentally friendly remedies, avoiding costly disruptive treatments offered by many PCA damp-proofing, woodworm treatment companies and rising damp companies in North Wales,

Specialist Damp And Timber Surveys Conducted In North Wales
Damp Surveys
Timber Surveys
Damp-Proofing & Damp-Proof Course Surveys & Reports Conducted in North Wales
Timber Treatment Specialists in North Wales
Condensation Specialists & Damp Control in North Wales
Black Mould Removal Specialists

In addition, our independent specialist surveyors services are extended to professionals in the construction industry including Architects, Surveyors, Engineers, Developers, Construction Companies and Building Surveyors throughout Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham and Anglesey,

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