Damp and Timber Surveys in Crawley and Sussex

When you book a damp survey with us in Crawley, a trained surveyor will carry out a full inspection of your property.

This includes checking outside the property for any issues, where the surveyor will assess the condition of the roof, brickwork, drainage, guttering and if there are any high ground levels abutting your property.

This is then followed by an internal assessment using specialist tools such as moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to identify signs of damp and condensation. Surveyors will also check the condition of timber to make sure no fungal decay or woodworm is present.

After the inspection, we provide a detailed report with clear findings, photographic evidence, and a bespoke treatment plan based on your property’s needs, if any problems are found.

Many of our treatments come with a 20-year guarantee, giving Crawley homeowners and landlords confidence in the long-term protection of their properties.

Early intervention helps you avoid costly repairs and ensures your home stays healthy and structurally sound.

We also perform commercial damp surveys and work with social housing clients across the South of England, meaning no matter the type of property we can provide you with professional expertise and advice.

Rising damp is a fairly common problem in properties across Sussex, and is most noticeable by tide marks paired with salty fragments, flaking plaster and damp patches just above skirting boards.

Rising damp occurs when moisture from the ground is drawn upward through porous masonry by capillary action, often due to a failed or missing damp proof course (DPC).

Our Peter Cox team covering Crawley specialise in identifying and treating rising damp in all types of property.

We have over 70 years of experience in identifying damp and carrying out remedial treatments, tailored specifically to the characteristics of the property involved.

Rising damp is often found in older properties without a functioning damp proof course, or one that has deteriorated over time. Without a DPC, moisture can rise upwards through walls, bringing with it salts that stain and deteriorate interior finishes.

In Sussex, many properties feature traditional solid brick or stone walls that are more vulnerable to rising damp.

Key contributing factors of rising damp in Crawley include:

• Heavy rainfall and seasonal changes in the water table
• Raised external ground levels like flowerbeds, paths, patios and driveways that allow moisture to bridge the damp proof course
• Porous masonry, brickwork or stonework
• Ageing, deteriorated or failed damp proof courses

A typical sign of rising damp is a visible tide mark about one metre above ground level, often accompanied by musty smells, crumbling plaster, salt deposits, and paint deterioration.

Often confused with other types of damp, a damp and timber survey is used to accurately diagnose and confirm whether the issue is rising damp. If you think you have a problem, book a survey from a trained and qualified professional today.

If you have a suspected rising damp problem we can carry out a survey to identify the source of the damp and extent of the issue. If confirmed as rising damp we can offer professional treatments that protect your property long term.

Our proven treatments may include:

• Chemical DPC injection to create a new, protective moisture barrier to prevent moisture ingress
• Salt-resistant replastering to protect walls from further salt migration
• Ventilation improvements, especially for areas such as sub floor voids
• Timber treatments, where damp has caused wet rot or dry rot to timber that needs replacing

From our branch covering Crawley and Sussex, we specialise in expert timber surveys and providing specialist treatments for fungal decay outbreaks in domestic and commercial properties.

Our experienced, locally based surveyors and technicians carry out in-depth inspections to identify the presence and extent of the fungal growth. We then provide bespoke treatment plans designed to eliminate the source of moisture, protect your timber, and prevent future outbreaks.

Over time properties will have building defects such as damaged drains, broken roof tiles and blocked gutters that allow moisture to penetrate into a building. Wood rot spores will germinate from this source of moisture if the conditions are right.

Whether you have a fungal decay problem in your home, or you have discovered it on a commercial project, we offer solutions tailored to your needs..

Wet rot and dry rot are both caused by moisture allowing fungal spores to germinate, which then take hold and feed on the timber. This occurs when moisture is present over a period of time and can affect buildings with poor ventilation, ageing plumbing, or water ingress from defective roofs or gutters.

• Wet rot typically develops in persistently damp areas and results in timber that is soft, cracked, or discoloured. It stays isolated to the source of moisture, such as roof defects, plumbing leaks, condensation, or rising damp.
• Dry rot is more aggressive and can travel through masonry to affect other parts of the building. It thrives in enclosed, humid spaces and often remains hidden behind walls or under floors until significant damage has occurred.

Treatments are different depending on the type of fungal decay, making it important for a timber survey to be carried out by a trained professional to determine the type of rot affecting a property.

Many properties in and around Crawley, especially homes with original timbers, building defects or minimal damp protection are particularly vulnerable without early intervention.

Our team covering Sussex will diagnose the type of fungal decay affecting your premises, and provide detailed recommendations on the appropriate course of action to restore your property and prevent future outbreaks.

Fungal decay treatments may include:

• Removing the source of moisture
• Cutting back decayed timber and applying targeted fungicidal treatments
• Clean all areas affected by surface growth, including hyphae, mycelium and fruiting bodies and sterilise walls and masonry where required
• Enhancing ventilation through the installation of airbricks or passive vents
• Advising on resolving leaks, damp proofing, or fixing external defects where necessary

Our treatments are carried out by experienced technicians that work to the highest industry standards. At Peter Cox, we’re committed to protecting your property’s structure and value with expert wood rot treatments you can rely on.

Peter Cox can carry out timber surveys to identify woodworm infestations and provide recommendations for woodworm treatments for homes and commercial properties.

Early identification helps prevent further damage to timber and ensures your property remains safe long term. Our surveyor will provide you with a detailed survey report outlining their findings.

Several species of wood-boring insects are commonly found in Crawley, including:

• Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum) – causes over 80% of all beetle damage in the UK, often seen in floorboards, joists, and furniture
• Death Watch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum) – usually affects older hardwood such as oak in historic properties
• Woodboring Weevil (Euophryum confine) – typically linked to damp timber in poorly ventilated areas. Dealing with the fungal decay or damp will often solve the problem and the infestation will die out

Identifying the exact species through a timber survey is essential, as each requires a different approach to treatment and prevention.

Our woodworm treatment solutions in Crawley are designed to stop infestations at the source and prevent future recurrence.

After a comprehensive timber survey, and confirmation the infestation is active, our specialists apply targeted insecticidal treatments that are safe, effective, and suitable for use in homes and workplaces.

In cases where there is severely damaged timber, we will recommend appropriate timber repairs or replacements.

Peter Cox has supported thousands of clients across the UK with proven woodworm treatments.