Damp proofing in Leeds: treated at the source
Rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, mould and cellar waterproofing in Leeds, plus plastering. Free surveys, fixed prices in writing, and a 30-year guarantee on treated areas.
23 metres of rising damp, treated in three days
One of our larger domestic jobs was a full ground-floor rising damp treatment: 23 metres of wall, finished in three days on site.
The contaminated plaster was hacked off back to sound brickwork, a chemical damp proof course was injected into the mortar bed, and a meshed damp proof membrane was fixed across the treated walls ready for replastering.
We take on the same work in Leeds. There is more on our rising damp treatment page, and photos from more jobs in our projects.
Why Leeds back-to-backs and brick terraces go damp
The parts of Leeds nearest to us, Beeston, Holbeck, Armley and Wortley, are streets of red-brick terraces, and many of them are back-to-backs: houses that share a back wall with the house behind as well as a wall on each side. Leeds went on building them long after other cities had stopped. A house with only one outside wall goes damp in its own ways, and a survey here starts from that.
- One outside wall, no through draught A back-to-back in the middle of a row has windows on one side only, so air cannot pass through the house. Moisture from cooking, washing and drying clothes stays indoors and settles on the coldest surfaces as condensation and black mould. Ventilation is usually the fix. Condensation control.
- Damp low on a shared wall The walls shared with the neighbours stand on the same ground as the front wall and are the same age, with an old damp proof course or none. Rain cannot reach them, so damp low on a shared wall is either rising damp or condensation. Readings taken up the wall with a professional damp meter show which. Rising damp treatment.
- Cellars under the terrace Many of these terraces have a cellar, often with a coal chute or a grate at pavement level. The walls are below ground and take in water from the soil around them, which matters more once a cellar is used as a room. A cellar is waterproofed from the inside. Basement tanking.
- The one wall that takes the weather It is solid brick, about nine inches thick, with no cavity. A leaking gutter, a cracked downpipe or worn pointing on that wall sends water straight through to the plaster, usually as a patch higher up than rising damp reaches. Penetrating damp treatment.
- Blocked-up fireplaces A fireplace closed off without a vent leaves the flue cold and still, and rain can come down an uncapped chimney pot. The sign is a damp, stained patch on the chimney breast, well away from any outside wall.
Which parts of Leeds we cover
We cover Leeds and the area around it. The south and south-west of the city are nearest to us: Beeston, Holbeck, Armley and Wortley. Nearby, we also work in Morley, Birstall and Batley. See all the areas we cover.
Surveys are free wherever you are in that area, there is no charge for coming out, and we are contactable seven days a week between 6am and 10pm. If you are just outside it, ask anyway and we will tell you straight away.
Leeds is a big area, so send us your postcode and we will confirm we reach you.
Google reviews from our customers are on our reviews page.
Leeds questions
Do you cover all of Leeds?
We cover Leeds, and the south and south-west of the city are nearest to us: Beeston, Holbeck, Armley and Wortley. Leeds is a big area, so send us your postcode and we will confirm straight away.
Do you waterproof cellars in Leeds?
Yes. We waterproof cellars and basements with cavity drain membranes and, where needed, drainage and a sump pump. The survey is free.
Book a free damp survey in Leeds
Tell us what you have noticed and we will arrange a visit at a time that suits you. Use the form, or pick whichever of these is easier.
- We get back to you Within one working day.
- We survey, free Damp meter readings, and we tell you what is causing it.
- You get a fixed price In writing, with no obligation.