Peter Cox Birmingham – Trusted Specialists in Property Preservation

Peter Cox offers a wide range of property preservation services tailored to the needs of Birmingham properties and the challenges posed by the local environment. Whether working on Victorian buildings in the city centre, semi-detached homes in Dudley, or properties in surrounding areas like Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, our team brings unmatched expertise to every project.

We provide solutions for rising damp, condensation, timber decay, and basement waterproofing. Every assessment is carried out by our qualified surveyors, and our services are supported by more than 70 years of experience. With detailed inspections and effective treatments, we help you maintain the condition and value of your property.

If you've spotted signs like damp patches along skirting boards, bubbling plaster, or discolouration on your lower interior walls, your Birmingham property could be affected by rising damp. This issue happens when moisture from the ground rises through masonry due to the absence or failure of a damp proof course (DPC).

From our Peter Cox branch servicing Birmingham and the West Midlands, we specialise in diagnosing and treating rising damp in various building types—from Victorian terraces in Edgbaston and Harborne to suburban homes across Solihull and Yardley. Our local surveyors offer targeted, long-lasting damp solutions tailored to the unique characteristics of Birmingham's housing stock and commercial projects.

Rising damp is more likely in buildings constructed before damp proof courses were commonly installed or where an existing DPC has deteriorated over time.

In Birmingham, contributing factors often include:

• Frequent rain and damp seasonal weather
• Raised external ground levels like patios or driveways that allow moisture to bridge the damp proof course
• Porous building materials that absorb water easily
• Blocked or bridged cavities in older wall constructions
• Degraded render or mortar joints enabling moisture ingress

A common sign is a horizontal tide mark about one metre from the floor, often accompanied by salt deposits, peeling paint, soft or crumbling plaster, and a damp, musty smell. It’s important to have the problem properly assessed to distinguish rising damp from other moisture issues like condensation or penetrating damp.

Our Birmingham-based team delivers effective solutions to eliminate rising damp and repair the damage it leaves behind. Every job begins with a detailed inspection to identify the source of moisture, check for DPC failure or bridging, and assess the extent of internal damage.

Depending on our findings, your treatment plan may involve:

• Installing a chemical damp proof course to block moisture movement.
• Replastering using salt-resistant materials to prevent future issues
• Advice on improving airflow and ventilation, particularly in areas under suspended timber floors
• Repair or replacement of structural timbers affected by associated wet rot or dry rot

Our rising damp treatments in Birmingham are typically backed by a 20-year guarantee, giving homeowners peace of mind that their property is protected for the long term. Whether your home is a heritage terrace in the Jewellery Quarter or a family property in Kings Heath, Peter Cox is here to help you preserve its condition.

At Peter Cox, we are specialists in identifying and treating wet rot and dry rot in homes and commercial buildings throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

Many of Birmingham’s older properties—particularly Victorian terraces and pre-war homes, are vulnerable to timber decay due to long-standing issues like ageing plumbing, poor ventilation, and damp ingress from structural defects. Combined with the region’s rainfall, these factors create ideal conditions for fungal decay to develop.

Our experienced surveyors carry out thorough timber inspections, diagnosing the extent and type of rot present before recommending a tailored treatment plan. We use tried and tested methods to treat fungal infestations, eliminate moisture sources, and help prevent future outbreaks.

Timber rot in Birmingham properties often stems from consistent moisture exposure, commonly caused by:

• Leaking roofs, gutters, or downpipes
• Rising damp or plumbing leaks
• Poor ventilation in crawl spaces or underfloor voids
• High humidity levels and condensation
• Blocked or broken drainage

Wet rot typically affects timber that remain consistently damp, causing it to soften and lose strength. Dry rot, on the other hand, spreads more aggressively—even through brickwork—and can cause serious structural damage if not caught early. Both thrive in properties with limited airflow or inadequate damp protection, which are common in older Birmingham homes.

At Peter Cox Birmingham, our timber treatment services are designed to deliver long-term protection. After a detailed inspection, our team will:

• Identify and remove the source of moisture
• Extract decayed timber and apply professional fungicidal treatments
• Replace or reinforce affected structural timbers
• Recommend and implement ventilation improvements (such as installing airbricks or vents)

Every property is different, which is why our treatments are designed with each home's construction in mind. With over 70 years of experience, Peter Cox is trusted across the West Midlands to deliver high-quality timber preservation with minimal disruption and long-lasting peace of mind.

Peter Cox offers expert woodworm treatment services for homes and commercial properties throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Many of Birmingham’s properties feature original timber beams, floors and joinery that are especially vulnerable to woodworm infestations.

Our experienced surveyors carry out thorough inspections to identify signs of wood-boring insect activity such as exit holes, wood dust known as frass and weakened or damaged timber. When an active woodworm infestation is confirmed, we then develop a tailored treatment plan to eliminate the infestation and protect your timber long term.

A number of wood-boring insects are known to affect properties across Birmingham, including:

• Common Furniture Beetle - Accounting for up to 80% of all beetle damage in UK homes
• Death Watch Beetle - (Xestobium rufovillosum)
• Woodboring Weevil - (Euophryum confine)

Our experienced surveyors can identify the exact species affecting your property and whether or not the infestation is active, and then recommend the most appropriate course of action.

Our woodworm treatment services in Newcastle are designed to provide long-lasting protection. Following a thorough woodworm survey and confirmation the infestation is active, our team applies targeted insecticidal treatments to halt the life cycle of active infestations and prevent future outbreaks. In cases of severe damage, we can replace affected structural timber as part of a full treatment plan. All work is carried out with care to maintain your property’s character while ensuring safety and stability.

At Peter Cox Newcastle, we are committed to protecting your timber with effective, professional treatments, giving you confidence that your property is safe from the damaging effects of woodworm

Our Peter Cox branch covering Birmingham & the West Midlands has expert surveyors with decades of experience helping homeowners and businesses identify and resolve damp issues. Birmingham’s mix of historic architecture, dense urban housing, and variable weather can all contribute to damp problems, and our team is well equipped to assess and resolve them.

Our surveyors hold industry-recognised qualifications such as CSTDB, CSRT or CSSW, and our work is backed by accreditations from respected bodies like Which? Trusted Trader and SafeContractor. You can trust our professional approach and commitment to high-quality service.

Your Peter Cox surveyor will carry out a detailed inspection of your property’s exterior, including roofing, brickwork, high ground levels and drainage. Inside, they will check for symptoms of excess moisture, such as visible damp patches, mould growth, and timber decay.

Following the inspection, you will receive a detailed survey report with photographic evidence, a diagnosis of any underlying problems, and a clear plan for treatment tailored to your property.

Our damp proofing treatments typically come with a 20 year guarantee, giving Birmingham property owners peace of mind that their homes and businesses are protected long term.

Addressing damp early helps to avoid costly repairs and keeps your property healthy.

Peter Cox offers a full suite of property preservation services to support homes and commercial properties throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

Alongside damp treatment, we provide professional solutions for timber decay caused by woodworm, wet rot and dry rot. These issues are especially common in older buildings and properties with poor ventilation or historic structural damage. Our team also delivers basement and cellar waterproofing services, helping to manage groundwater ingress and make below-ground spaces safe and usable.

Birmingham’s urban infrastructure and age-diverse housing stock also present challenges like wall tie corrosion or cracking due to ground movement. Our structural repair specialists can assess and recommend appropriate solutions for these issues. Whether your property is in the city centre, Edgbaston, Harborne or surrounding areas, Peter Cox Birmingham is your trusted partner for long-term property protection.