When warm meets cold, droplets of water form on the warm surface and this is a very common issue in London, where the climate is naturally damp. Condensation can seriously damage plaster, skirting and architrave and it is primarily an issue in the cold winter months. If not addressed, condensation can lead to significant damage to a building, which is why you should have regular damp inspections.
What Are the Primary Causes of Condensation?
Condensation can be caused by the following:
- Inadequate heating
- Lack of ventilation
- Hot bath/shower in a closed space
- Drying wet clothing indoors
- Leaking water pipes and drains
- Leaking roof
- Poor insulation
- Damp penetrating internal walls
Keeping the home warm and wiping away condensation minimises the risk of mould forming, while opening windows when running hot water allows moist air to escape. If you are unsure what is causing droplets of condensation to form on your windows or walls, we use state-of-the-art equipment to accurately diagnose all damp and mould issues.
How to Prevent Condensation
It is critical to remove moisture in the air and that means adequate ventilation and periodically whole-house heating, which should have a positive effect on minimising condensation. The importance of generating air movement cannot be overemphasised; this can be achieved by installing several extractor fans in key locations or opening a few windows. Of course, bathrooms and kitchens are prime spaces for condensation and the use of a portable dehumidifier can greatly reduce excess moisture.
Condensation Can Be a Sign of Rising or Penetrating Damp
Both rising damp and penetrating damp can lead to droplets of moisture forming on windows and walls and in order to be absolutely sure what is causing condensation, you should book an independent damp survey with London Damp Specialists. We have a team of PCA-certified damp surveyors and they have seen everything and can accurately source the cause of your condensation issues. If, for example, we find that rising damp is the cause of the condensation, the treatment might involve repairing or replacing the DPC or even injecting a chemical DPC into the cavity walls.
Effective Strategies to Reduce Condensation
There are things that you can do to reduce the risk of condensation in your London home, such as:
- Avoid drying damp garments indoors
- Whole heat the house from time to time
- Open windows when cooking and running a hot bath/shower and keep the door closed
- Use a portable dehumidifier to dry out specific spaces
- Inject a chemical insulator into cavity walls to improve insulation
- Generate adequate ventilation throughout the property
- Wipe up droplets of water when they form to prevent damage
All of the above can help to reduce the risk of condensation in the winter months and if you would like professional advice, book an independent damp survey with us and one of our PCA-certified surveyors will inspect your home and source the causes of condensation.
Condensation Treatment
There are numerous ways to effectively treat condensation, which are as follows:
- Injectable insulation into cavity walls
- Remove damp plaster and apply waterproof render
- Installation of thermal plasterboard
- Waterproof skim plaster and paint
If your home has a condensation problem and you are looking for a professional assessment, contact London Damp Specialists, a family-run company that has been damp-proofing London homes since 1981. We can survey the property and offer a competitive quote for the best long-term solution and what’s more, we fully guarantee our damp-proofing work for 30 years.
Our Work Process
At London Damp Specialists, we have a smooth process that begins with an initial consultation, which gives the customer an opportunity to ask questions, while we can gather essential information. The next step is a site visit when our certified damp surveyor inspects the property, which involves taking measurements, recording data and making observations. We then provide the customer with a detailed report, along with a quote for the recommended treatment, and should the customer be in agreement, a work schedule is set. The work is then completed according to the timeline and once the customer is satisfied, payment is made.
Call London Damp Specialists on 020 8242 9391 or complete the survey booking form on this website and we will be in touch in good time.
Damp Survey Costs
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for our independent, unbiased surveys.
Level 1
What’s included:
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 2
What’s included:
- Everything in Level 1
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 3 (Most Popular)
What’s included:
- Thermal Imaging
- Air humidity testing
- HD boroscope camera
- Brickwork pointing inspection
- DPC inspection
- Ventilation flow test on extractor fans
- 4K drone imagery roof, chimney stack
and guttering inspection - Structural condition inspection
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Survey Add Ons
Add On 1
Laboratory analysis Of plaster identifies hygroscopic salts such as chlorides and nitrates. which indicate whether damp is caused by rising groundwater or by plumbing leaks, This testing removes guesswork, allowing the exact source of moisture to be identified so the correct treatment is applied rather than carrying out unnecessary damp-proofing work.
Add On 2
qPCR DNA mould testing detects microscopic mould spores that are invisible during a normal inspection and van remain hidden behind walls, floors. or inside building rkaterials. It identifies the exact mould species present and the contamination level, allowing hidden mould problems to be confirrned and properly treated before they affect the property or occupants’ health.
Qualifications: All our surveyors are PCA and CSRT qualified for remedial treatments and also CSSW qualified for structural waterproofing.
Next day report: You will receive the report within 24 hours of the inspection taking place.
The survey fee will be deducted from the cost of any recommended repairs.
These are the tools we use
Damp Meter
A damp meter is a diagnostic tool used to detect and measure moisture levels within building materials such as plaster, brick, timber, and concrete.
Borescope camera
borescope camera is a small inspection camera attached to a flexible semi-rigid cable that allows you to see inside areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
Drone Inspection
A drone is a remotely operated aerial device equipped with a camera that allows visual inspection from above without the need for scaffolding or ladder.
Air Humidity Sensor
Air humidity sensor measures the amount of moisture present in the air, expressed as relative humidity (RH) in percentage. It helps determine whether indoor conditions are contributing to condensation, mould growth, or damp-related issues.
Thermal Imaging Camera
A thermal imaging camera detects temperature differences on surfaces by using infrared technology to produce a heat map image. In damp investigations, it helps identify cold spots, moisture intrusion, insulation defects, thermal bridging and leaks.
Air Flow Ventilation Detector
An air flow ventilation detector measures the movement and volume of air passing through vents, extractor fans, and air bricks. It confirms whether ventilation systems are working properly and achieving adequate air changes within a room. Poor airflow leads to trapped moisture, high humidity, condensation on cold surfaces, and ultimately mould growth.
Mould Lab Swab Testing
A mould swab test is carried out to confirm the presence of hidden mould growth and identify the specific species involved. Surface mould is not always visible, especially behind furniture, inside cavities, or within ventilation systems. Laboratory analysis of a swab sample determines whether active mould spores are present and what type they are, which helps assess potential health risks and decide the correct remediation approach rather than relying on visual assumption alone.
Lab Analysis of Plaster
Laboratory analysis of plaster is used to identify the type of salts present within the material, typically chlorides and nitrates. The presence and concentration of these salts help determine whether the moisture source is consistent with rising damp, ground contamination, or another forms [sic] of water ingress. such as mains water leak, This removes guesswork and prevents misdiagnosis, ensuring the correct remedial treatment is specified rather than applying unnecessary or ineffective solutions.
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form:
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form:
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form: