Damp Proofing

The terms “rising damp” or “penetrating damp” are enough to send any property owner into a panic. Most of us are likely to go with known damp proofing companies, or simply opt for the most expensive damp proofing contractors, assuming that they will be the best and most reliable. But with TrustATrader, each professional has a proven track record, so you know they’re a trader you can trust.

When it comes to damp problems, they come in all shapes and sizes. Damp walls and skirting boards, bathroom condensation problems, water ingress, and wet rot and dry rot funguses are just some of the common issues a professional damp specialist will see day to day. Even with strict property care, a damp survey may still reveal an array of mould and damp issues. If required, your specialist will look into various types of damp proofing treatments. Some of these include ground level and basement waterproofing to prevent moisture build-up, installing a damp proof membrane, treating and removing funguses, and more.

With Trust A Trader, you get complete peace of mind. You can rest assured that the damp proof specialist or company that you choose can be trusted, because we do.

Vetted and Accredited

Finding local traders can be a minefield, particularly if you are unsure of what qualifications and professional affiliations someone in a particular profession should have. When a trader applies to join our directory, they are vetted by us. This means that you can look through a list of local damp proofers in your area and know that they have the insurance, qualifications and affiliations that they are required to have by law in order to undertake the work that they offer. It’s simple: if they aren’t qualified to do a job, they are not invited to join our elite team of trusted traders.

Reviewed

It’s not just what we think that matters; the opinions of former customers and your fellow home owners are important, too. After all, who better to recommend a great damp proof specialist than someone with first-hand experience of their services?

When a trader asks to join us, they must provide us with reviews from former customers (which we check to make sure that they are genuine). Once a trader has been added to our site, we ask anyone with first hand experience of that trader to tell us what they think. Customers give a written review and rate their experience across 6 categories, including cleanliness, punctuality, value and quality. An overall rating of up to five stars lets you see instantly what others think of any of the damp proofing specialists listed with us.

By trusting us and trusting our reviews, you will save time, money and stress.  Do you have any first-hand experience with a trader listed in our directory? We value your feedback – please leave a review!

Information About Damp Proofing Services

The first step to resolving damp issues is to find out what type of damp you have. The main types of damp are: rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, and (the less common) descending damp.

• Rising damp is the most prevalent type of damp and describes the gradual rising of damp up a wall, from the ground. Due to the upward motion of the damp, rising damp will only usually reach a height of about 1.5 metres. If you have a damp lower wall and a tide-mark like line on the wall, it is likely that you have rising damp. This can be treated by a specialist; there are a range of technologies available, depending on the severity of the damp, and your budget.

• Penetrating damp seeps through the walls of a building and is usually the result of an overflowing gutter or faulty rendering. Some houses will always have a “mystery” patch of penetrating damp, and south-westerly facing walls are particularly susceptible to it. If you have clear damp patches on an exterior wall, wallpaper keeps peeling off, or you can see salt deposits on the wall, you could have penetrating damp. The cause of penetrating damp can usually be identified and fixed; permanent damage will also need to be resolved to prevent further deterioration.

• Descending damp is, as its name suggests, damp that comes from top of the house; loose tiles, broken flashing on the roof, or blocked gullies. As with penetrating damp, descending damp is usually relatively easy to fix. However, if left, both penetrating and descending damp could lead to serious structural complications.

• Finally, condensation has a range of causes, including bathrooms and showers, and contrasting temperatures causing water particles in the air to turn into liquid. Double glazing can cause condensation as it creates a solid seal to the house, which means that moisture can’t escape. Good ventilation (open windows or doors while cooking/showering) and the use of domestic dehumidifiers can help to prevent condensation from causing serious problems.  Condensation can lead to mould and structural damage, so it is important to get it under control; a damp specialist will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

As well as making sure that the traders listed in our directory have the relevant qualifications and insurance, we encourage them to continue to strive for the highest standards. Therefore, we recommend that our traders maintain professional partnerships with appropriate industry-specific organisations.  This helps them to keep abreast of the latest, cutting-edge technology, as well as legal requirements within their industry. It also means that their insurance and warrantees remain valid.

To find out if a trader is a member of a professional body or has won any awards, just look for the logos on each their individual profile.

Trade Insurance and Public Liability Insurance for Damp Proof Specialists

Damp proofing is a serious business. From diagnosis to treatment, failure to do the job to a high standard could put a customer’s property and health at risk.  At Trust A Trader, we know it can be tough for traders to stay ahead of changes in legal requirements. TrustATrader Insurance will get you covered, so that no matter what happens, your livelihood and property are not at risk. If you are a damp proof specialist and you want to find out more about our competitively priced insurance services, get in touch.