Independent Damp Survey in Chester-le-Street – Case Study
This case study documents an independent damp survey carried out at a residential property in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. The inspection was requested after concerns were raised about internal dampness and the possibility of rising damp. The purpose of the survey was to identify the true cause of moisture before any remedial work was considered.
Property Background
The property is a traditional solid brick house located in Chester-le-Street. Internal damp symptoms were visible at low level on internal walls, and the homeowner had been advised that chemical damp proofing may be required. No previous diagnostic survey had been carried out prior to our inspection.
Initial Damp Concerns
The reported issues included damp staining to internal plaster, elevated moisture readings at low level, and general concerns about rising damp. The homeowner requested an independent damp survey to confirm whether damp proofing work was genuinely required or if the issue had been misdiagnosed.
Independent Damp Survey Findings
A full independent damp survey was carried out using calibrated moisture testing equipment, visual inspection, and external assessment of the building envelope. Moisture readings were found to be localised rather than uniform, which is inconsistent with true rising damp.
External inspection identified defects in pointing and masonry allowing moisture penetration. Internal readings were influenced by historic plaster contamination rather than active moisture rising from the ground.​
Diagnosis Outcome
The damp issues present within the property were not caused by rising damp. The findings confirmed that the symptoms were the result of external moisture ingress combined with hygroscopic salts within internal plaster, leading to false damp meter readings.
No chemical damp proof course installation was required.
Recommended Action
Targeted repairs were recommended rather than invasive damp proofing work. This included external masonry repairs, improved weather resistance, and internal plaster assessment where contamination was present. By identifying the true cause, unnecessary remedial costs were avoided.
Why Independent Damp Surveys Matter
This inspection highlights the importance of independent damp surveys before committing to remedial work. Damp problems are frequently misdiagnosed, resulting in inappropriate treatments that fail to resolve the underlying issue.
Related Damp Survey Services
This inspection was carried out as part of our independent damp survey service in County Durham. We also investigate damp problems commonly misdiagnosed as rising damp, penetrating damp, or condensation and mould issues.
Book an Independent Damp Survey in Chester-le-Street
If you are experiencing damp issues within a Chester-le-Street property and require clear, unbiased advice, an independent damp survey provides accurate diagnosis before any work is carried out.