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Professional PCA-approved Damp and Timber Reports
Whether you have called Rentokil Property Care for a damp, woodworm or wood rot survey, our qualified surveyor will provide you with an easy to understand report outlining the findings and suggested solutions for your problem.
Delivered to you within 72 hours of the survey of your property, the report will present observations and recommendations in a clear and concise manner. If there is any work necessary, this will also be detailed along with a quote for the treatment.
What is a damp and timber report?
A damp and timber report presents the findings from a survey conducted by a qualified professional and is used to understand the condition of a property relating to damp, timber decay or woodworm. It will detail any findings relating to rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, rot in timber or woodworm, and is often required by mortgage lenders or when damp or timber problems are identified during a homebuyers report.
Damp and Timber Survey
Whether you have called Rentokil Property Care for a damp, woodworm or wood rot survey, our qualified surveyor will provide you with an easy to understand report outlining the findings and suggested solutions for your problem.
Contents of a damp and timber survey report
Findings Outside the Property
The survey will begin with the surveyor inspecting the outside of the property. The roof, chimney and brickwork will be inspected from ground level for any signs of damage. The existing damp proof course will be examined, along with any high ground levels or other potential issues.
As external joinery can be subject to natural weathering, this may need to be examined also. This will only be necessary if the joinery appears to be allowing rainwater to penetrate the building. Outbuildings, fences, gates and furniture are not inspected.
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Interior Inspection - Once the surveyor has finished inspecting the exterior of the property, they will then inspect the inside of the property also. The survey will look for any signs of timber damage, or issues with condensation, rising and penetrating damp.
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Damp Problems - Any signs of condensation or mould growth will be examined, along with ensuring the property is adequately ventilated. The surveyor will look for any evidence of rising or penetrating damp on the ground level of the property, and if applicable, basement areas as well.
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Structural Issues - Some properties may require structural repairs due to age, deterioration or environmental effects, and the surveyor will make note in the survey report if they spot evidence of structural issues.
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Timber - The surveyor will inspect visible surfaces of timber, including floors, beams and timber in the roof space. The timber will be inspected for any evidence of a woodworm infestation, or signs of rot. Timber floors will be inspected, where possible, by lifting loose floorboards or trapdoors. To avoid damage, any wood block, strip, laminate or other decorative flooring, including fitted carpets, will not be lifted. The surveyor is not obliged to inspect those areas of the property that are covered, unexposed or are not readily accessible. These areas will be noted on the report, with the offer to return if access can be provided. Furniture or floor coverings should be moved prior to the surveyors arrival. If safe to do so, a full roof inspection will be undertaken if the surveyor can access the roof void using crawl boards. Roof timbers can be inspected but a suitable access trap must be available
Things to Note
If there are areas of the property with major defects which cannot be inspected, they will be listed in recommendations for further investigation. Our surveyor can inspect a sub floor area, but prior to the surveyor's arrival, furniture and carpets may need to be moved.
For condensation, internal readings will be taken for humidity, temperature and dew point. Moisture meters are used to aid diagnosis and provide physical evidence to the report, with moisture profile readings on internal wall surfaces used to aid in the assessment of rising or penetrating damp. Panelled, tiled or dry lined areas cannot be inspected.
A thermal imaging camera is used to identify areas where there may be cold spots or cold bridging. They are used to help spot differences in temperature on surfaces - meaning the surveyor will be able to understand if this is contributing to condensation or mould growth.
When instructed, our surveyor can locate wall ties with a metal detector and will drill holes to carry out a visual inspection of existing wall ties using optical instruments.
If areas are not accessible at our first visit, we will be pleased to re-inspect at a later date when the area is accessible. Additional costs may be incurred if further visits are required.
Damp and Timber Report Findings
After the survey, the surveyor will send the client a detailed report, usually within 72 hours. In the report, the surveyor will detail the findings of the survey, detailing anything found.
If building defects are noted by the surveyor, they will detail the necessary repairs. Often this requires simple DIY repairs or a local builder for problems such as unblocking or fitting new gutters or fixing broken tiles.
If damp or timber decay is found, the report will include diagrams and images to support the findings, and will provide details on remedial treatments.
Problems such as damp proofing or fungal decay often require a degree of plaster work or joinery to repair affected areas, which will be detailed in the report. All steps involved to return your property to its original condition will be detailed, along with information on the availability of a long term guarantee, if applicable.
Rentokil Property Care - PCA Approved
If you require a PCA approved damp and timber report, get in touch with Rentokil Property Care.
We are members of the Property Care Association (PCA) and our surveyors local to you hold PCA qualifications like CSRT or CSTDB.
Damp and Timber Report FAQs
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How much does a timber and damp report cost?
The cost of a timber and damp report will depend on the size of the property, the location and type of property. You can use our online booking form to find out the cost for a report for your property.
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Should I be worried about damp on a survey?
Although many people worry when they have a damp problem in their property, a qualified surveyor will have thoroughly investigated the property - so will know the full extent of the problem. The report will provide you with clear recommendations to stop the problem. If remedial repairs are required and if you decide to go ahead with the work, damp proofing carried out by Rentokil Property Care is typically backed by a long term guarantee of up to 30 years - giving you peace of mind.
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Is it worth paying for a damp survey?
For peace of mind it is generally worth considering paying for a damp survey. A qualified expert will fully inspect the property and give you recommendations if any issues are found. Damp and timber problems can get worse over time so if you’re worried about a problem it is best to get it checked before more costly repairs are required.
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How long does a damp and timber report take?
This will depend on the size of the property - but usually our qualified surveyors will take around one to two hours to carry out a damp and timber survey. You will then receive your report within three working days.