Peter Cox London - Property Preservation Experts

Peter Cox has been a trusted name in property preservation since 1951, providing homeowners and businesses across all 32 London boroughs with effective solutions for a wide range of property problems. Our experienced surveyors and technicians are experts in diagnosing and treating dampness, condensation, timber decay and structural faults, ensuring the long-term health and value of your property.

We understand the unique challenges that London properties face, from the damp basements of Victorian terraces to the woodworm-infested timbers of historic buildings.

Peter Cox offers a comprehensive suite of property preservation services tailored to the specific needs of London homes and businesses. With extensive experience across the capital, Peter Cox is equipped to handle a wide range of property preservation needs, from rising damp and condensation control to complex structural and basement waterproofing solutions. Whether you're in the heart of the city or in the surrounding areas, Peter Cox provides specialist surveys and treatments, ensuring that properties throughout London receive the highest standard of care. The company's local surveyors have in-depth knowledge of specific London areas, allowing for targeted and effective property preservation strategies.

Rising damp is a common problem in London, particularly prevalent in its older building stock where original damp proof courses may have deteriorated or be entirely absent. Rising damp occurs when moisture from the ground is drawn upwards through the porous materials of a building's walls, a process known as capillary action. The city's diverse geology, including expansive clay soils, and historic construction methods can exacerbate this issue, leading to a number of signs including tidemarks, peeling wallpaper and damaged plaster.

Peter Cox provides specialist surveys to accurately diagnose rising damp and offer effective treatment solutions tailored to London properties.

Rising damp in London can be attributed to several factors:

• Ageing or failed damp proof courses in period properties
• Bridged damp proof courses due to raised ground levels or external rendering
• The porous nature of some brick and masonry types common in London construction

Peter Cox employs proven techniques to effectively treat rising damp, providing long-lasting solutions:

• Chemical injection damp proofing to create a barrier against rising moisture
• Salt retardant plastering to prevent hygroscopic salts from damaging interior finishes
• Replastering services to restore walls ready for redecoration

Many London properties feature basements or cellars, which present valuable opportunities for additional living or storage space, and basement conversions are an increasingly popular way to add value to London homes.

However, these below-ground areas are particularly vulnerable to water ingress and dampness due to London's varied soil conditions and high water table, requiring specialist waterproofing solutions to ensure their usability and protect the structural integrity of the property.

Peter Cox offers comprehensive basement waterproofing services tailored to the specific challenges of London properties, utilising systems designed to meet BS 8102 standards, and providing solutions from initial survey and design to complete installation and any necessary aftercare.

London basements often face specific waterproofing issues:

• High water tables, especially in properties near the River Thames
• Lateral damp penetration through walls
• Flooding risks in certain low-lying areas

Peter Cox offers a range of basement waterproofing solutions tailored to London properties, designed to create dry and usable spaces:

• Cementitious tanking systems for barrier protection
• Cavity drain membrane systems (CDM) for water management
• Combined waterproofing systems for high-risk situations, ensuring maximum protection
• Sump and pump installations to manage water ingress, especially crucial in flood-prone areas

Many London properties are affected by woodworm infestations every year, as wood boring beetles use timber as a food source. Woodworm larvae can tunnel through wood and cause damage to cosmetic timber, such as skirting boards, but also significant structural damage to floor boards, joists and staircases.

If you think you have a woodworm problem in your home in London, the first step is to get a professional to confirm an active woodworm infestation.

Peter Cox will carry out a thorough survey to identify and confirm a woodworm infestation, with the findings detailed in a report with recommendations for work, if necessary.

Several woodworm species can be found in London:

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

Peter Cox provides effective woodworm treatment to eliminate infestations and protect your timber, preserving the structural integrity of your property:

• Thorough surveys to accurately identify the woodworm species and assess the extent of the infestation
• Insecticidal treatment of affected timber, targeting both eggs, larvae and adults.
• Timber repair and replacement where necessary, restoring structural strength

In addition to our specialist damp proofing, basement waterproofing, and woodworm treatments, Peter Cox offers a range of other services to protect and maintain your London property, addressing a variety of property care needs:

• Penetrating Damp Control
• Condensation Control and Ventilation Systems
• Wet and Dry Rot Treatments
• Wall Tie Repair
• Structural Repairs