Surveying Damp Limited

22/09/2026

A client recently contacted us after noticing signs of timber decay within their property and wanted our opinion on what it may be.

A photograph of the top of the radiator was run through AI to see what it would identify, and it said that this was “rust and surface corrosion on a central heating radiator, not dry rot spores.”

A leaking valve can certainly cause rust and staining. However, the material we found was not simply surface rust, and AI did not consider the full picture of the conditions on site. During our inspection, we found significant cuboidal cracking to the affected skirting boards, along with fungal strands across the rear of the skirting.

This is where AI has its limitations. A photograph can provide useful information and help point towards possible causes, but it cannot replace an onsite inspection and professional assessment of the wider evidence. The material on the radiator could be wiped away with a finger. That’s a physical observation that simply cannot be made from a photograph alone.

AI can certainly have its uses, but when something as important as identifying the cause of timber decay is involved, it raises an important question, if an AI assessment gets it wrong, who is responsible for the consequences?

If you're concerned about damp, mould or timber decay, don't leave it to guesswork. Get an independent professional opinion. That’s what we’re here for. We can help you understand what is happening and what to do next.

📍 Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, tenants and agents across Wiltshire and Dorset.

[email protected] │www.surveyingdamp.co.uk

01/09/2026

Today marks one year since I started Surveying Damp Limited.

It doesn't quite feel like a year has gone by. When I started the company last September, I don't think I fully appreciated how much behind the scenes work would go into getting everything up and running.

There have been plenty of good days, but also plenty of moments where I've questioned whether I'd made the right decision. Running your own business certainly has a way of testing you, and there is far more admin work than I ever imagined. Looking back though, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm genuinely so glad I took the leap.

Over the last year, I've had the opportunity to inspect a lot of interesting properties, meet some great people, build genuine relationships, and drop off a fair few business cards along the way. I'm particularly proud of the feedback I've received from clients, which makes everything feel worthwhile, although chasing up feedback isn't always quite as fruitful!

I started the company so I could do what I love while spending more time closer to my family, and their support has been a huge part of what keeps me going.

A huge thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their property, recommended the business, worked with me, or simply offered their support along the way. I'm still very much at the beginning of the journey, but I'm proud of how far things have come in the first year.

There are plenty of exciting things to come, and I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

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If you need a second opinion or impartial advice on damp or condensation issues, please feel free to get in touch. I also provide CAD drawings, so if that's something you or your clients need, I'm always happy to have a conversation.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk | [email protected]

Pinpointing the root cause of your damp problems to save you money

12/08/2026

Don’t let deteriorating timber windows turn into a damp problem.

Replacing windows can be expensive, especially on older properties, but leaving damaged timber frames, cracked paintwork and gaps around the surrounding render can allow rainwater to get into the building, potentially causing just as much expense when it comes to repairing the resulting damp internally.

Once the protective paint coating breaks down and timber starts to deteriorate, rainwater can get into areas it shouldn’t. Keeping timber frames painted and protected, checking joints and seals, and repairing cracks before they become larger problems can help prevent water getting into the building in the first place.

You can’t always justify the cost of replacing windows, so until such time as replacement is practical, maintaining and repairing the existing windows should be the priority.

Don’t ignore the signs. What starts as a straightforward maintenance issue can eventually become a much more expensive repair when damp and damage develop internally.

Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, landlords, tenants & property professionals across Wiltshire, Dorset & Hampshire.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk | [email protected]

03/08/2026

📐 Need a floor plan or drawing converted into CAD?

Alongside my surveying work, I also help with 2D CAD drawings for property-related projects.

This can include turning old floor plans, hand sketches, site notes, or marked-up drawings into clear digital CAD drawings, as well as adding annotations or creating simple cross-sections where needed.

Over the years I’ve seen plenty of quick sketches and rough notes that make perfect sense to the person who created them… but can be a little harder for someone else to follow! Sometimes having them turned into a clear drawing can make things much easier.

If you, or someone you know, needs drawings digitised, updated, or created, please feel free to send me a message and I’ll be happy to have a chat.

📩 Feel free to share or tag someone who may find this useful.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk | [email protected]

Helping homeowners identify the cause of damp and condensation issues without sales-driven recommendations

23/07/2026

Could your neighbour’s guttering be causing damp inside your home?

Damp inside a property isn’t always caused by something inside the home or even by the homeowner’s own maintenance issue.

If a neighbouring property’s gutters become blocked, damaged or overflow during heavy rain, water can repeatedly soak a shared or adjoining wall. Over time, that masonry can become saturated, allowing moisture to pass through and show as staining, damaged plaster or mould internally.

This is why damp should never be diagnosed from internal symptoms alone. Treating the plaster, repainting or applying a quick internal “fix” may hide the problem temporarily, but it won’t stop the moisture if the external source is still present.

The priority is always to identify and rectify the source first. Once the defective guttering has been repaired and the wall has had time to dry, any internal repairs can be carried out with far greater confidence that the issue won’t simply return.

Where neighbouring guttering is the cause, the owner of that guttering is generally responsible for maintaining it. In many cases, a conversation is the best first step, as they may not even know there is a problem.

If you’ve noticed damp, staining or mould and you’re unsure what’s causing it, an independent damp survey can help identify the source before you spend money on unnecessary remedial works.

Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, landlords, tenants & property professionals across Wiltshire, Dorset & Hampshire.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk | [email protected]

02/07/2026

We're always grateful to receive feedback like this from our clients.

Thank you to everyone who continues to trust us with their properties.

If you need help understanding damp, condensation, mould or timber issues, please get in touch to discuss how we can help.

Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, tenants & agents across Wiltshire, Dorset & Hampshire.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk | [email protected]

22/06/2026

⚠️ New £7,000 Damp & Mould Fines for Landlords from Today

From 22 June 2026, local authorities have been granted stronger powers, including the ability to issue fines of up to £7,000 where serious hazards are identified within privately rented properties.

Damp and mould are often symptoms of an underlying issue rather than the problem itself. Condensation, ventilation deficiencies, plumbing leaks, penetrating damp and building defects can all contribute to moisture-related problems within a property.

Before considering quick-fix treatments or major remedial works, it is important to understand the source of the moisture. Correct diagnosis can help ensure that any action taken addresses the root cause rather than simply treating the visible symptoms, reducing the risk of the problem returning later.

Please check out our website for more information
👉 https://surveyingdamp.co.uk/guidance

For those wishing to read the original announcement, further information can also be found within the official UK Government guidance.
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crack-down-on-dangerous-rented-homes-as-new-7k-fines-kick-in

Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, tenants & agents across Wiltshire, Dorset & Hampshire.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk
[email protected]

Helping homeowners identify the cause of damp and condensation issues without sales-driven recommendations

15/06/2026

The homeowner's first thought was that defective gutters were causing the staining on this wall. However, the gutters were found to be clear and functioning correctly, so attention turned indoors instead.

Elevated humidity levels were recorded within the bathroom. The extractor fan had reportedly not been working for several weeks, and the room heater was rarely used. Together, these factors were allowing moisture to build up, resulting in condensation forming on colder surfaces and leaving visible water trail marks down the wall.

It's a good reminder that damp problems aren't always what they first appear to be. The visible symptoms may look the same, but the underlying cause can be something completely different.

If you need help understanding damp, condensation or mould issues within your property, we'd be happy to help.

Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, tenants & agents across Wiltshire, Dorset & Hampshire.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk
[email protected]

03/06/2026

After a spell of warm, dry weather, the recent heavy rain has been a reminder that many moisture-related defects only become apparent when they're properly tested.

Leaks, overflowing gutters, defective pointing and other external defects can often go unnoticed until periods of sustained rainfall.
If you've recently noticed damp patches, staining, musty smells or mould growth appearing, it's worth investigating the cause before committing to remedial works.

Understanding where the moisture is coming from is often the most important step in ensuring any money spent on repairs is both necessary and effective.

If you need help or advice regarding damp, condensation or mould within your property, please feel free to get in touch.

Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, tenants & agents across Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire.

[email protected]

We conduct independent damp and condensation surveys throughout Dorset and Wiltshire, assisting homeowners in identifying moisture issues with clear reporting and professional, unbiased advice.

28/05/2026

Recently attended a property where others had recorded high moisture readings on an internal wall separating a lounge and kitchen. The client wanted another survey done before proceeding with the advised remedial works, so they asked us to attend.

On inspection, we noticed the kitchen plinth had been removed, allowing us to take a quick look beneath the units. There, we noted an active leak dripping from the dishwasher directly onto the solid floor below.

A puddle of water had been accumulating beneath the kitchen units and affecting the adjoining internal wall finishes, resulting in the elevated readings to both sides of the wall, who knows for how long.

It’s not normally this straightforward, but it’s another good example of why damp issues should always be properly investigated before jumping straight into remedial damp works.

Identifying the source of moisture is more important than simply making good the visible damage.

If you need a second opinion before proceeding with damp works, feel free to get in touch.

Based in Salisbury | Serving homeowners, tenants & agents across Wiltshire, Dorset & Hampshire.

www.surveyingdamp.co.uk
[email protected]