Damp and mould questions, answered

Condensation forms when warm, moist indoor air meets a cold surface and is the most common cause of black mould. Penetrating damp is water getting in from outside through defective roofs, gutters, walls or windows. Rising or ground-related damp is moisture moving up from the ground, often where a damp-proof course has been bridged. Each needs a different fix, which is why diagnosis matters.

Not always. Many free damp surveys are carried out by companies that also sell damp-proofing or treatments. We don’t sell treatments or remedial works, so our advice isn’t shaped by a sale.

It can remove what you can see, but mould usually returns unless the source of moisture is dealt with — whether that is condensation, a leak or water getting in from outside. A survey identifies that source.

A visual inspection inside and out, supported where the investigation needs it by tools such as a Protimeter MMS3 moisture meter, thermal imaging, salts analysis sampling, calcium carbide testing, a Testo 417 vane anemometer for airflow and a DJI Air 3S drone for external and roof inspection; a diagnosis of the likely cause or causes; and a plain-English report with photographs, the risk to occupants and prioritised recommendations.

No. We are independent surveyors. We tell you what is causing the problem and what is most likely to fix it, so you can instruct the right contractor.

Awaab’s Law applies to the social rented sector in England. It does not, in itself, apply to private rented homes. Private landlords still have repairing obligations, and councils can assess rented homes using HHSRS.

Phase 2 of Awaab’s Law extends the requirements beyond damp, mould and emergency hazards to significant hazards of excess cold, excess heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and explosions, electrical hazards and domestic hygiene.

No. Awaab’s Law is person-centred and does not require a full HHSRS assessment, and damp or mould does not need to be an HHSRS category 1 hazard to be in scope. We keep the two frameworks clearly separate in our reports.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System is the risk-based system used in England to assess health and safety hazards in homes. Councils use it when enforcing standards in rented housing, and it underpins the Decent Homes Standard for social housing.

We are based in Liverpool and carry out surveys across the city and the wider North West of England. If your property is further afield, get in touch and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can help.

Use the request form on this site or email kyle@kps-surveying.co.uk with the property postcode, the type of survey you need and a short description of the issue. We’ll reply by email to confirm scope, timing and a quotation.