Tools & Equipment Used for Damp Surveying Work

We are living in a digital world and that means a damp surveyor would have an array of digital devices at their disposal to help them identify and measure moisture content in a building. In this short article, we outline devices and equipment used in an independent damp survey, in no particular order.

• Damp meter – A digital device that measures the moisture content in the air; the pinned variety can measure moisture inside plaster or timber, while the pinless type measures the immediate environment. A damp inspector would have both types and they would be used on every survey; this is one of the most important tools for any damp surveyor.
• Drone imagery – The use of drones is the safest way to inspect a roof and upper walls and our London independent damp surveyors are proficient drone operators and would not want to go back to the days before these small aircraft were around. It eliminates the need to go on the roof; of course, if an issue is discovered, the damp expert would get out the ladders. A drone can fly along guttering, checking for blockages and damage and the damp specialist can take high-resolution images to show the customer.
• Infrared camera – Point the camera at a wall and you can see where the cooler areas are located, which is the place damp might exist. Thermal imagery helps the surveyor to quickly hone in on suspect areas and no damp expert would leave home without their infrared camera. Most would have a spare, just in case of a malfunction.
• Humidity tester – A hand-held device gives a reading on the LED screen; a hygrometer reads the RH level (Relative Humidity) in the air and multiple readings are taken throughout the property. Excess humidity can be caused by drying wet garments indoors, which you should refrain from doing; the garage is suitable to air-dry damp clothing and turn on the fan.
• Borescope camera – A tiny lens on a long, flexible stem with a small spotlight for illumination, this camera can examine every nook and cranny, plus the damp specialist can take photos for the customer.
• Ventilation flow tester – The small fan rotates when there is movement in the air, which gives the surveyor an accurate measurement. Readings are taken in every room and hallway to get an overall readout of the airflow. Ventilation is essential to remove moisture and if this is insufficient, installing a few extractor fans would be a solution.

London and the surrounding areas sit in a clay basin, which retains water and this causes rising damp. Every building should have a damp proof course (DPC), which acts as a barrier to prevent damp from rising up the walls.

When we inspect a London property, we are looking for rising damp, condensation, penetrating damp, mould, timber rot and woodworm. We cover all boroughs of London within the M25; call London Damp Specialists on 020 7523 5882 or complete the form on this site and we will be in touch shortly.