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Low damp patches
Moisture concentrated at the base of ground-floor walls, sometimes with a visible tide mark.
Diagnosis-led damp treatment
Rising Damp Treatment in South West London & Surrey
Careful investigation followed by targeted DPC work and salt-resistant plaster repairs where moisture is rising through ground-floor masonry.
- 20-year guarantee available*
- Surveyor-led service
- South West London & Surrey
Correct diagnosis comes first
What is rising damp?
Rising damp occurs when moisture from the ground moves upwards through porous brickwork, mortar or stone by capillary action. It normally affects the lower part of ground-floor walls and can carry soluble ground salts into the masonry and plaster.
Low-level damp is not automatically rising damp. Bridged damp proof courses, plumbing leaks, defective rainwater goods, penetrating moisture and condensation can produce overlapping symptoms. Atruss Preservation considers the damp pattern and surrounding construction before recommending treatment.
Warning signs
Signs that may indicate rising damp
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Salt deposits
White, powdery deposits or persistent staining caused by salts carried through the wall.
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Damaged plaster
Blistering paint, peeling wallpaper, hollow plaster or crumbling finishes close to floor level.
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Skirting decay
Swollen, stained or softened skirting boards and deterioration to adjoining timber finishes.
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Musty odour
A persistent earthy smell in rooms affected by prolonged moisture and poor evaporation.
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Recurring decoration damage
Paint or wallpaper failing again after cosmetic repairs without the moisture source being resolved.
Important: These signs can also occur with other damp problems. Treatment should follow investigation rather than appearance alone.
A targeted repair
How rising damp may be treated
Inspect & diagnose
Assess moisture distribution, external ground, DPC position, wall construction and possible alternative sources.
Prepare the walls
Protect adjacent areas and remove affected skirting and salt-contaminated plaster where specified.
Install remedial DPC
Drill a selected mortar joint and introduce the chosen damp-proofing cream or fluid to form a barrier.
Replaster & finish
Apply the specified salt-resistant render and finish plaster, then provide relevant drying guidance.
Treat the wall as a complete system
Why salt-contaminated plaster matters
Ground moisture can carry hygroscopic salts into wall plaster. These salts may continue absorbing moisture from the air and can spoil new decorations even after the source of rising moisture has been controlled.
- Remove damaged or contaminated plaster where required
- Install the remedial DPC to the agreed wall lengths
- Use the specified salt-resistant render or plaster system
- Isolate adjoining untreated walls where necessary
- Apply finish plaster ready for suitable decoration
- Explain ventilation, drying and redecoration guidance
Local specialists
Rising damp treatment across South West London and Surrey
Atruss Preservation investigates and treats rising damp in Wimbledon, Tooting, Wandsworth, Putney, Kingston, Sutton, Epsom, Banstead, Reigate, Weybridge and surrounding districts.
Wimbledon
Rising damp diagnosis, remedial DPC work and plaster repairs across Wimbledon and SW19.
Sutton
Local damp investigation and property preservation work across Sutton and nearby areas.
Kingston
Damp proofing and associated plaster repairs in Kingston upon Thames.
Wandsworth
Rising damp treatment for Wandsworth homes and period properties.
Reigate
Damp assessment and remedial treatment across Reigate and nearby Surrey.
Weybridge
Property damp services throughout Weybridge, KT13 and surrounding districts.
Related services
Repairs that may form part of the solution
Frequently asked questions
Questions about rising damp treatment
What are the common signs of rising damp?
Common signs include low-level damp patches, tide marks, peeling decoration, crumbling plaster, salt deposits and decayed skirting boards. Similar symptoms can have other causes, so inspection is important.
How is rising damp treated?
Where diagnosis confirms rising damp, treatment may include installing a remedial damp proof course, removing salt-contaminated plaster and applying a suitable replacement render and plaster system.
Does rising damp treatment require replastering?
Plaster affected by persistent moisture and ground salts may need removal and replacement. The necessary extent depends on its condition, the salt distribution and the agreed specification.
Can high ground levels look like rising damp?
Yes. Paving, soil, render or an internal floor can bridge an existing DPC and create similar low-level damp symptoms. Bridging should be checked before injection work is specified.
How soon can the wall be redecorated?
Drying time varies with wall thickness, initial moisture, ventilation and the replacement plaster system. We explain the redecoration guidance relevant to the completed work.
Where do you treat rising damp?
We work throughout South West London and Surrey. Visit our areas of work page for local coverage and project information.
Concerned about rising damp?
Call Atruss Preservation to discuss the symptoms and arrange the next step.