What penetrating damp surveys involves
Penetrating damp is rain finding its way through the outside of a building. In Northern Ireland's wet, windy weather, a blocked gutter, cracked render, weathered pointing, a failing chimney or a poorly sealed window can let water through for years before it shows clearly indoors.
This survey traces water from the inside mark back to the outside defect. It suits owners with damp patches that come and go with the weather, damp on upper floors or ceilings, and anyone with a chimney breast or window reveal that never quite dries.
Penetrating damp surveys at a glance
Penetrating damp surveys specialists covering Northern Ireland.
How penetrating damp surveys works with us
Map inside damp
The specialist records each damp area indoors, its size and its height on the wall.
Elevation inspection
The matching outside walls, gutters, sills and roof edges are examined for faults.
Match the defect
Inside readings are lined up with outside faults to identify the most likely way in for the water.
Written advice
You receive the source of the damp and the repairs needed to stop the water getting in.
Is this the right survey for you?
- Patches that grow after storms and shrink in dry spells
- Damp round window reveals or beneath sills
- Staining on a chimney breast, even on an upper floor
- Wet patches high on walls or on ceilings beside the roof
- Gutters that overflow or downpipes that leak down the wall
- Cracked render or open pointing on the affected side
Book your damp survey today
Pick the survey you need, send the address and a few details, and a specialist will get back to you to set a date.
- Damp, mould, drain and cavity wall surveys
- Visits across all six counties
- Price fixed before you book
What's included
- Moisture readings to affected internal walls and ceilings
- External inspection of render, pointing and sills
- Check of gutters, downpipes and visible flashings
- Ground-level view of chimneys and roof edges
- Written findings linking each damp area to its cause
Most penetrating damp surveys usually take between one and two hours, with the written advice typically sent within a few working days.
Reasons to book your survey across Northern Ireland
Price set before booking. The specialist firm's set price is in writing before the visit is confirmed.
Findings you can keep. The specialist firm sets out readings, causes and next steps in a written report.
Specialists who know the area. Specialists working across Northern Ireland see the same housing and weather week in, week out.
Your call on what follows. Any repair advice is yours to act on or leave; nobody chases you to proceed.
Tracing water from outside in
Outside first
Once the inside damp is mapped, the specialist examines the same wall from outside for cracks, failed seals, defective flashings and blocked rainwater goods.
Chimneys and roofs
Water entering at roof level can travel some way before it appears. Chimneys, valleys and flashings are viewed from the ground or from windows where they can be seen.
Weather matters
Penetrating damp responds to rainfall. Readings are judged against recent weather so a dry spell does not hide a real problem.
Penetrating damp surveys across Northern Ireland
Bookings for a penetrating damp surveys are taken from Antrim · Armagh · Ballyclare · Ballymena · Ballymoney · Ballynahinch · Banbridge · Bangor, along with many more areas throughout Northern Ireland, and the specialist covering each one arranges the visit.
Related damp survey services
Cavity wall surveys
Cavity wall surveys across Northern Ireland.
Condensation surveys
Condensation surveys across Northern Ireland.
Damp surveys
Damp surveys across Northern Ireland.
Drain surveys
Drain surveys across Northern Ireland.
Mould surveys
Mould surveys across Northern Ireland.
Pre-purchase damp surveys
Pre-purchase damp surveys across Northern Ireland.
Rising damp surveys
Rising damp surveys across Northern Ireland.
Answers first
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How can damp appear on an upper floor if it is not rising damp?
Damp high on a wall or on a ceiling almost always comes from rain or a leak. Gutters, chimneys, flashings and render are the usual suspects, and the survey checks each.
Should I wait for heavy rain before booking?
There is no need to wait. Staining, salts and moisture in the wall usually persist between showers, and the specialist reads them alongside the recent weather.
Will the specialist climb onto the roof?
Roof and chimney checks are normally made from ground level or from windows. Working at height is not usually part of the visit.