Eight treatments. One honest survey to start.

Not always visible: it’s often hidden by decoration. Treated with a cream-based chemical damp-proof course, injected into small holes at low pressure, to BS 6576. Salt-contaminated plaster usually needs renewing as well.

Damp can show on inside and outside walls for many reasons. The survey finds which one.

A family of four or five puts around 15 litres of water vapour into the air a day. When that air cools on a cold surface it condenses, and mould follows, with a musty smell. We look at ventilation, heating and insulation, and can arrange extraction or whole-house ventilation, fitted by a qualified electrician.

Common furniture beetle leaves slightly oval exit holes of 1.5–2mm. It’s treated with a water-based spray at low pressure, and it’s normally safe to return home the same day. Deathwatch beetle attacks hardwoods, mainly oak.

It spreads quickly through brickwork and plaster as well as timber. In an established outbreak, red dust (spores) settles on furnishings and floors. Treat it as soon as it’s diagnosed.

Timber decay caused by long contact with damp masonry or poor ventilation. Affected timber is renewed or preserved, depending on how far it has gone.

A multi-coat render system (tanking) or a cavity drain membrane, chosen by what the basement will be used for.