Peter Cox Crawley Property Preservation Experts

If you’ve spotted discolouration, blistering plaster, or signs of damp near floor level in your property, it may be a case of rising damp. This occurs when water from the ground rises through the walls due to a compromised or missing damp proof course.

Our local surveyors conduct thorough inspections to diagnose the issue and apply effective solutions based on the condition of your property.

Rising damp is common in older homes across Sussex built before modern waterproofing techniques were introduced. Factors contributing to this include:

• Worn-out mortar or pointing
• Damaged damp proof courses
• High water tables
• Bridged damp proof courses due to raised exterior levels
• Poor drainage around the property

Our rising damp treatments include:

• Chemical damp proof course injection to stop moisture intrusion
• Replastering with salt-retardant materials
• Timber treatment if decay has occurred
• Ventilation upgrades such as installed airbricks

Typically our damp solution come with a 20-year guarantee for peace of mind.

From our branch covering Crawley and Sussex, we specialise in diagnosing and treating wet rot and dry rot in homes and commercial protects throughout the town and surrounding areas. Crawley’s mix of older New Town properties, post-war builds, and modern housing developments can all be vulnerable to timber decay when damp is left unchecked.

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

Whether you're dealing with decaying joists in a cottage or hidden rot in floor timbers of a flat, our team offers expert support to restore and protect your property.

Wet rot and dry rot develop when timber is exposed to excess moisture over time — and this is not uncommon in many Crawley properties. Common causes include:

• Leaks from old or damaged roofs, gutters, and downpipes
• Poor ventilation under floors or in roof voids
• Plumbing issues or hidden pipe leaks
• Rising damp or condensation build-up

Wet rot typically occurs in timber that remains persistently damp, while dry rot can spread through concealed spaces like under floorboards or behind wall plaster. Both types of decay weaken wood, compromise structural safety, and often go unnoticed until the damage is severe.

Our rot treatment service begins with a professional timber survey to assess the extent of the problem. Once diagnosed, we Our local team ensures all work is carried out to high standards, removing the source of moisture and stopping the issue from returning. This includes:

• Repairing leaks or addressing sources of damp
• Replacing structurally unsound timber
• Apply specialised fungicidal solutions to halt the spread of the fungus, where necessary
• Recommending or installing improved ventilation systems, including air bricks

At Peter Cox Crawley, we’re committed to protecting your property’s integrity and value through proven timber care and expert rot prevention.

At Peter Cox Crawley, we deliver expert woodworm treatment services for residential and commercial projects across the town and surrounding West Sussex area.

Crawley’s mix of heritage buildings, post-war homes, and modern developments means woodworm infestations can affect both older timber features and newer premises.

Our qualified surveyors carry out detailed inspections to detect signs of an active wood-boring infestation. They will identify the type of infestation, and where there has been any damage to structural timber such as timber beams and joists, floorboards and roof timbers.

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 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.

If structural timber has been weakened, we will advise on appropriate repairs or replacements. Our surveyors also provide expert guidance on reducing humidity, improving airflow, and addressing any damp issues that may attract wood-boring insects in the future.

At Peter Cox Crawley, we’re committed to restoring and protecting your property’s timber with long-lasting woodworm control and prevention strategies.

At Peter Cox Crawley, we provide professional damp surveys for homes and commercial properties across the town and surrounding areas. With over 70 years of experience in property care, our team understands the unique damp issues that affect buildings in Sussex, from poorly ventilated post-war housing to moisture problems in newer developments.

Our surveyors are highly trained and hold CSTDB, CSRT, or CSSW qualifications.

As an accredited member of professional bodies like Which? Trusted Trader and Safe Contractor, Peter Cox offers dependable expertise you can trust.

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 external elements like the condition of walls, brickwork, the state of roofing tiles, and drainage. 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.

Our survey is designed to detect:

• Damp and condensation
• Rising damp and penetrating damp
• Woodworm and timber decay
• Wet rot and dry rot

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

Unless stated in the report, our damp 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.