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Mold growing on the lower part of white walls and wooden baseboards in the corner of a room, showing black and discolored patches above a light wood floor.

Spotting the Damp Warning Signs

If you’re living in or around Bridgwater, here’s how to tell it’s time to call a local damp proofing contractor like ours to arrange damp surveys, and remedial/preventive works like mould treatment, timber treatment, or tanking.

Patches of Mould

It may start with a musty smell or black spots in the corners of your ceilings and walls. Left alone, this can quickly turn into a full-blown mould infestation. Not only is this unsightly, but it’s also a health risk, especially for children or anyone with allergies.

A professional mould treatment doesn’t just clean it up; it tackles the cause and stops it from coming back. Often, the issue stems from poor ventilation or hidden condensation — which a good damp survey will uncover.

Flaky or Peeling Plaster and Paint

Paint that bubbles, peels, or flakes off is rarely a decorating issue. It’s usually a sign of moisture working its way through your walls from the outside or underneath. Once damp has settled into your plaster, the surface becomes weak and crumbly.

This is where solutions like tanking can help — especially in basements or ground floor spaces. It forms a protective barrier to keep moisture out for good. It might also be the moment to check if any timber in the area has been affected.

Spongy or Damaged Flooring

Ever noticed a slight bounce when you walk across a wooden floor? Soft or warped floorboards can be an indicator of deep-rooted damp, often affecting your structural timber. In worst-case scenarios, this leads to rot or woodworm, compromising the safety of your home.

Getting a damp survey done can help identify what’s going on underneath the surface, and if you need timber treatment to stop the damage in its tracks.

Damp Smells That Won’t Shift

You know the one. That earthy, wet-dog kind of smell that clings to soft furnishings or lingers no matter how many windows you open. It’s usually a sign of hidden damp.

Rather than masking the smell, a proper damp survey pinpoints the problem. You might need tanking, mould treatment, or a little timber treatment, depending on what they find.

A person wearing a glove uses a handheld device to measure moisture on a wall above a wooden window frame. The device displays a reading of 96.9. Trees are visible outside through the window.

A qualified damp proofing contractor will take a full look around your property – inside, outside, top to bottom. It’s not just about moisture meters and walls; they’ll check timber structures, ventilation, potential condensation traps, and signs of water ingress.

You’ll get a clear picture of what’s going on and what to do next. Common follow-ups include:

  • Tanking for basements, cellars, or below-ground spaces
  • Mould treatment and ventilation upgrades
  • Timber treatment for joists, beams, and flooring
  • Structural advice and preventative measures
A woman in a yellow shirt looks concerned while inspecting a large patch of black mold growing on a white wall near a window with blinds, behind a gray couch with patterned cushions.

Top Benefits of Acting Early

If you’re sitting on a damp problem, getting in touch with a proper damp proofing contractor makes sense before it gets worse. Here’s why:

  • Save money on future repairs
  • Stop problems like mould and rot in their tracks
  • Improve the air quality in your home
  • Protect your property’s value
  • Enjoy peace of mind

Some Common FAQs

Yes. Cleaning visible mould doesn’t address the root cause. A damp survey will help stop it from returning.

Technically yes, but it’s not advisable. The survey tells you why mould is forming, so treatment can be more effective.

That’s pretty common. Damp often spreads into timber, which then needs specialist care to prevent decay.

Not at all. Tanking is useful anywhere moisture is pressing against walls from the outside, like lower-ground living areas.