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Moisture Surveys

Moisture Surveys are an important part in buying a house, as well as diagnosing any recurring water or damp damage.

What does a damp / moisture survey tell you?

Up here in West Yorkshire and the north of England, we’re used to bad weather. But we also need to properly prepare our homes and properties for our wet climate. Damp, condensation, and mould are particular issues in this region. To help you protect your home and business, our team offers moisture surveys to identify any potential moisture problems. Moreover, we offer solutions to fix them,

A damp survey—or moisture mapping survey—is a thorough inspection of a property that can tell you:

  • The location and extent of any dampness or moisture in the property, such as rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation
  • The cause of the dampness, such as leaking pipes, poor ventilation, or a defective damp-proof course
  • The severity of your damp problem and how it might be affecting the structure of the building, including any damage to walls, floors, and ceilings
  • Recommendations to resolve your damp problem, such as repairing any leaks or improving ventilation, and treatments such as damp-proofing or tanking
  • The cost estimate and time required to carry out any corrective work

Overall, damp surveys reduce structural and health risks associated with excess moisture.

The most common issues that we see include:

Are damp surveys worth it?

Damp, mould, and condensation can cause brickwork to deteriorate, wood to rot, create foul smells, and damage flooring joists, framing, and windows. If you’re buying a property, it is especially important to know if these risks exist—and how to fix them.

To protect your investment, a damp survey can identify problems you might not be able to see with the naked eye. Moisture and damp damage properties over time, the sooner you identify these issues, the better prepared you’ll be in avoiding them.

A damp survey also provides peace of mind. When buying a property, a damp survey can help to negotiate a fair price, as it will identify whether repairs or remediation work are necessary.

Because it promotes mould growth, dampness can also cause health problems such as respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma. A thorough damp survey can identify areas of concern and provide recommendations to improve the indoor air quality, safeguarding your family and employees.

An infrared moisture survey can also help you identify potential heat loss because damp walls and roofs can impact your building’s energy efficiency. A damp survey can help identify areas that require insulation, ventilation, or other improvements to reduce energy costs. Using infrared thermography on your roof, for example, these surveys detect moisture beneath the waterproofing membrane where the insulation is wet. An infrared roof moisture survey shows changes in temperature between moist and dry areas, which allows you to identify roof sections that are damaged and retain moisture.

This can also help you reduce maintenance costs by detecting and fixing only damaged areas rather than replacing an entire roof.

Neglecting to examine for dampness can result in many pounds spent in repairs down the road. Pervasive and rising damp, for example, can destroy foundations. Moisture in the roof can result in damaged property and equipment if problems worsen. As you might expect, fixing smaller problems early is much more cost effective than repairing or replacing large problems later.

Moisture Surveys - Northern Restorations

How does a surveyor check for damp?

At Northern Restorations, our skilled surveyors use several methods to check for damp during a damp survey, including:

Visual inspections: Looking for any signs of dampness, our surveyors thoroughly inspect properties for  leaks, standing water, damp patches, water stains, mould growth, and peeling wallpaper or paint. These are obvious signs that deserve immediate remediation. 

Moisture metres: We also use handheld moisture metres to detect moisture levels within walls, floors, and ceilings. Your surveyor will compare readings and moisture content throughout different areas of your property to identify areas with higher-than-normal moisture levels. 

Hygrometers: A hygrometer is a device that measures humidity levels within a property. High humidity levels can contribute to dampness and mould growth. Our specialists use hygrometers to identify any areas that require better ventilation.

Thermal imaging: As part of an infrared damp survey, thermal imaging cameras detect areas around your building that are colder or warmer than surrounding areas. Colder areas can indicate the presence of dampness, which may not be visible to the naked eye.

Borescopes: A borescope is a flexible camera that can be inserted into small spaces to inspect hidden areas of the property, such as wall cavities or underfloor areas. These are useful for identifying hidden leaks or areas of dampness that may not be visible during a visual inspection.

By using a combination of these methods, our highly trained experts can identify any areas of concern and make recommendations for remediation.

The Northern Restorations Difference

At Northern Restorations, we know how important your home, property, and family’s well-being are to you. Because damp and moisture damage can be detrimental to property and health alike, our moisture survey services are a highly  cost-effective way to help protect your biggest investments.

If you’re combatting a persistent problem, we offer a range of solutions to detect and remedy moisture. Our highly trained experts are available throughout West Yorkshire and northern England to perform a comprehensive inspection and analysis of your specific situation and offer solutions that fit your exact needs. It’s why housing associations and landlords throughout the area trust us to remedy their damp and mould issues.

With a keen understanding of the special needs older properties require to maintain personal and property health, we specialise in holistic restoration that comply with sustainable practices and owner preferences.

Whether your property is old or new, you can count on us for fast, friendly, and professional advice and guidance. For further information, call 01484 651744 or contact us here.

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Started by Darrell Sykes, our company is proudly family-owned and managed!

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We know the last thing you want is to be calling us back over after a few months. We believe in doing the job right, the first time.

Our Other Flood Services

Flooding and water damage is never an easy thing to deal with – especially when it’s sudden. We understand the importance of moving quickly to solve the issue and fixing it before it becomes too damaging to your property! We have decades of experience solving and repairing water damage, so our team is here for you when you need us.

Our specialists can provide an effective solution to combat the effects of damp. We’re able to identify underlying causes, like structural flaws or water ingress & repair them accordingly. With our expertise, we can also offer preventative advice on ventilation, insulation & waterproofing to reduce the chance of reoccurrence! While you might think they’re needless – damp damage removal is essential for restoring your home to a dry and healthy state.

Repairing water damage requires specialist knowledge & techniques to make sure the problem is solved, and also doesn’t come back again in the future!. From extraction of standing water, to repair & replacement of damaged materials, our experienced team can give you peace of mind that your home or property is back to its best condition. Timely water damage repair services are essential for avoiding higher costs and more serious issues in the future!

Repairing and solving flood damage can be a complicated task, but not for our dedicated experts! From water extraction to structural repairs, our team can help to restore your home back to a safe and healthy condition. Flood damage poses the risk of mould growth and contamination, so it’s important you take action as soon as possible for effective repairs & restoration!

Sewage cleaning always requires specialist knowledge and equipment to take care of, you should never attempt it yourself. Our professional sewage cleaning services are on hand to help you clear away any mess and restore your property to a healthy, safe condition. The longer you leave cleaning a sewage leak the more costly and time-consuming it can become, so it’s important to act quickly and contact the experts for assistance.

When a serious storm rolls through it can be devastating to your property, so we’re here to do whatever we can to ease your burden! From fixing & cleaning internal fixtures to dehumidifying a building, our repairs and restoration ensure your structure is safe and secure. Just make sure you act fast – the longer you leave water standing, the worse it’ll affect your property!

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