Peter Cox Leicester – Property Preservation Experts

Peter Cox has been a trusted name in property preservation since 1951, supporting homeowners and commercial clients throughout Leicester and Leicestershire with reliable solutions for a wide range of property concerns.

Our local surveyors and technicians are specialists in diagnosing and resolving issues such as damp, condensation, timber decay, and structural faults. We help protect the safety, comfort, and long-term value of your home or business premises. We understand the specific challenges faced by Leicester properties, from moisture problems in Victorian terraces to timber decay in older townhouses and structural issues in suburban homes.

If you’ve seen tide marks on your lower walls, damp patches near the skirting boards, or crumbling plaster, your Leicester property may be affected by rising damp. This type of damp occurs when ground moisture travels upwards through porous bricks or stone by capillary action. It is usually caused by a damaged or missing damp proof course.

Our local Peter Cox team covering Leicester and Leicestershire specialises in identifying and treating rising damp. With a deep understanding of local property types and construction materials, we offer reliable solutions designed to suit the conditions in this area.

Rising damp is often found in older Leicester properties that were built before modern damp proofing methods became standard. In the absence of a working damp proof course, moisture can travel up through the walls, carrying salts that discolour and damage internal finishes. Many properties in areas like Highfields, Clarendon Park, and Stoneygate have solid wall construction that allows this type of moisture movement. Contributing factors can include:

• Persistent rainfall and local soil conditions
• Raised ground levels or exterior surfaces that sit above the damp course
• Damaged rendering or mortar joints that allow moisture to enter
• Poor site drainage or lack of subfloor ventilation

A noticeable horizontal tide mark around one metre above ground level is a key sign of rising damp. This may be accompanied by salt deposits, flaking paint, or a musty odour.

At Peter Cox Leicester, we deliver effective rising damp treatments that target the cause and prevent further damage. Every treatment begins with a full survey to confirm the presence and source of the damp problem

Where appropriate, our solutions include:

• Installing a chemical damp proof course to block moisture movement.
• Replastering with salt-resistant materials to prevent staining and degradation
• Advising on improvements to airflow such as installing airbricks
• Replacing affected timber where damp has caused rot or decay

Our rising damp treatments typically come with a 20 year guarantee, offering reassurance and long-term protection. Whether you are preserving a historic home or maintaining a newer property, our Leicester team is ready to help you safeguard your building from damp-related issues.

At Peter Cox, we are experts in identifying and treating both wet rot and dry rot in properties across Leicester and the surrounding Leicestershire area. The combination of frequent rainfall and a large number of older properties in the city creates ideal conditions for timber decay caused by fungal growth.

Our trained surveyors carry out in-depth timber inspections to assess the extent of the problem and offer treatment plans tailored to your property. Whether it is a historic townhouse in Stoneygate or a commercial building in the city centre, we deliver effective solutions that help protect the timber and structural integrity of your property.

Our Leicester-based team offers a full range of timber treatments designed to remove the source of rot and restore the strength of your building. After completing a detailed survey, we offer clear guidance and proceed with proven treatment options upon your approval.

Treatments may include removing and replacing decayed timber, applying specialist fungicidal solutions to kill off the fungal growth, and protecting nearby areas from future outbreaks. Where structural integrity has been affected, we carry out the necessary repairs using approved materials and techniques. We may also recommend improvements such as better ventilation, the use of airbricks, plumbing repairs, or damp control to ensure conditions do not encourage further decay.

At Peter Cox Leicester, our goal is to provide long-lasting protection for your home or business. With every job, we focus on delivering expert service that offers complete peace of mind.

Wet rot and dry rot are typically caused by long-term exposure to moisture. This is a common problem in Leicester, where older buildings may have outdated plumbing, damaged roofing, or poor ventilation that allows damp conditions to develop.

Wet rot usually develops in timbers exposed to high moisture levels due to plumbing leaks, rising damp, or condensation. The affected wood may become soft, darker in colour, and spongy to the touch. Dry rot is more aggressive, spreading quickly through damp timber and even into adjacent masonry or hidden areas like floor voids and behind plaster.

Many Leicester homes built with traditional construction methods are at higher risk without updated damp proofing or proper ventilation.

Peter Cox offers expert woodworm treatment for both residential and commercial properties throughout Leicester and the wider Leicestershire area. Many buildings in the region, particularly those with original timber features or traditional construction, are vulnerable to woodworm infestations if not properly protected.

Our qualified surveyors carry out detailed inspections to identify signs of wood-boring insects and recommend targeted treatments that stop further damage. Every solution is chosen to protect the structural timber in your property while helping retain its original character and value.

Several types of wood-boring insects can be found in Leicester properties, including:

• Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum)
• Death Watch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum)
• Woodboring Weevil (Euophryum confine)

Each of these species causes different types of damage and requires a specific approach for effective treatment and control.

After conducting a full timber inspection, our team will determine whether the infestation is active, which species is present, and whether any structural repairs are required. If necessary, we apply professional insecticidal treatments that stop larvae from developing and prevent future damage.

Where timber has been weakened beyond repair, we advise on safe replacement as part of a complete restoration plan. Peter Cox has supported homeowners, landlords, and businesses across Leicester with effective woodworm treatments that deliver reliable, long-term results and peace of mind.

At Peter Cox Leicester, our experienced damp surveyors have been helping homeowners and commercial property owners across the city for over 70 years. We understand the damp challenges common in Leicester properties, especially in older buildings with solid brick construction and limited ventilation.

Our surveyors hold industry-recognised qualifications such as CSTDB, CSRT, or CSSW and follow the highest standards of professional conduct. Peter Cox is fully accredited by leading bodies including Which Trusted Trader and Safe Contractor, giving you full confidence in the quality and reliability of our services.

Your survey will include an external inspection of your property, checking features such as the roof, external walls, drainage, and ground levels. Internally, the surveyor will examine for damp, condensation, timber decay, and signs of woodworm.

Following the inspection, you will receive a comprehensive report detailing all findings, along with supporting photographs and a tailored treatment plan specifically designed for your Leicester property.

Most of our recommended treatments are supported by a 20 year guarantee, providing reassurance and long term value. Identifying and addressing damp early helps prevent more serious issues and ensures your home or commercial premises remains dry, safe, and structurally sound.

Mould and condensation issues, often triggered by undetected 'cold spots', are a common and often underestimated problem in UK homes. A homeowner in Loughborough reached out to our Peter Cox team after their bedroom had started experiencing this problem. Recognising the urgency of the situation, Peter Cox's experts thoroughly conducted a detailed survey on the property, identifying the specific thermal weaknesses and proposing a specialist remedial approach to permanently resolve the problem and prevent future recurrence.

Peter Cox delivers a wide range of property preservation services across Leicester and the surrounding areas to support both residential and commercial properties. In addition to damp proofing, we offer specialist timber treatments to help prevent and repair issues such as woodworm, wet rot, and dry rot, helping to maintain the structural integrity of timber elements.

Our team also provides professional waterproofing for basements and below ground spaces. With CSSW qualified surveyors on hand, we assess each property carefully and recommend a tailored waterproofing solution suited to the specific building and conditions.

From managing condensation and treating rising damp to resolving structural concerns like wall tie failure, Peter Cox is your reliable partner in preserving the long term health and value of your Leicester property.