Damp proofing in Chelmsford
Damp surveys, rising damp treatment, mould and condensation fixes for homes across Chelmsford. We find the real cause first, so you don't pay for work you don't need.
What are you seeing?
Different damp problems need different fixes. Pick the one that sounds closest and we'll explain what's likely going on.
Rising damp
Tide mark up to about 1m on ground floor walls, crumbling plaster, peeling skirting.
Penetrating damp
Damp patches that grow after rain, often on outside walls, ceilings or chimney breasts.
Condensation and mould
Black mould in corners, around windows and behind furniture. Streaming windows in the morning.
Damp surveys
Not sure what's causing it, or a mortgage survey has flagged damp.
Basement and cellar tanking
Wet or musty cellar, water seeping through walls or floor below ground.
How it works
Call us
Tell us what you've noticed and where. A quick chat often narrows down the cause.
Survey
A specialist visits, checks walls with a moisture meter and looks for the source, inside and out.
Written report
You get the cause, what needs doing and a fixed price. No pressure to go ahead.
Treatment
The work is done, walls are made good, and you're told how to keep it dry.
Finding the cause matters more than the treatment
A lot of damp gets misdiagnosed. Black mould in a bedroom corner is usually condensation, not rising damp. A patch that appears after heavy rain is usually a gutter, a cracked render or a failed seal around a window. Injecting a new damp proof course won't fix either of those.
That's why every job starts with a proper look. Walls are checked with a moisture meter, the outside of the property is inspected, and things like ground levels, air bricks and drainage are looked at before anything is recommended.
Chelmsford homes and damp
Chelmsford has a real mix of housing. Victorian and Edwardian terraces around Moulsham and the older streets near the centre often have solid brick walls and original damp courses that have broken down over time. Post-war and newer estates tend to have cavity walls, where damp problems more often come from condensation, bridged cavities or leaks.
Each type needs a different approach, and the survey tells you which one you're dealing with.
Buying or selling?
If a mortgage valuation or a homebuyer's survey has flagged damp, it's worth getting a specialist to look before you agree a price reduction or pay for treatment. Sometimes the readings are high because of a simple issue like a raised flower bed against the wall, and the fix costs a lot less than you'd think.
Landlords
Damp and mould in rented homes now gets much more attention from councils and tenants. We can survey a rental property, explain the cause in writing and carry out the work, so you have a clear record of what was found and what was done.
Worried about damp in Chelmsford?
Call and describe what you're seeing. We'll tell you honestly whether it sounds like rising damp, a leak or condensation, and book a survey if it needs one.
Call 01245 000000Areas we cover
Based around Chelmsford and covering the surrounding towns and villages.
Common questions
How much does damp proofing cost in Chelmsford?
It depends on the cause and how much wall is affected. Treating one wall is a very different job from a whole ground floor. You get a fixed written price after the survey, before any work starts.
Is it rising damp or condensation?
Rising damp usually shows as a tide mark up to about a metre high on ground floor walls, with salts and crumbling plaster. Condensation shows as black mould in corners, around windows and behind furniture, often on upstairs walls too. A survey confirms which one it is.
Do I need to replaster after damp proofing?
Often yes. Plaster that's been soaked with damp holds salts that keep pulling in moisture, so it's usually removed and replaced with a salt-resistant render or plaster as part of the job.
How long does the work take?
Most domestic jobs take one to three days. Walls then need time to dry out before decorating, usually a few weeks, and you'll be told what to expect.
Do you cover areas outside Chelmsford?
Yes. We cover Braintree, Witham, Maldon, Billericay, South Woodham Ferrers and the villages in between.