What is a Damp and Timber Report in Scotland?

A damp and timber report, sometimes known as a damp survey, is a comprehensive summary of an inspection of a property by a professional who will check for the presence of damp problems such as rising damp or penetrating damp. They will also inspect the property for timber issues like wet rot, dry rot or woodworm infestations and other structural concerns.

In Scotland, these types of surveys can typically be requested during the process of purchasing a home, especially for older properties that are more likely to have damp or timber problems. The survey is used to ensure there are no underlying damp or timber issues with the property you are purchasing.

They are also requested by property owners when they are worried about damp or timber problems in their property, and require answers from a qualified professional.

Damp and Timber reports are conducted by a trained professional who usually has CSTDB or CSRT qualifications, which means they can correctly identify damp and timber problems to strict industry standards.

A damp surveyor is a qualified professional who will use their knowledge and expertise to identify any issues relating to damp in a property. They will check inside and outside and will use a range of techniques, tools and equipment to aid in their diagnosis in order to understand the full extent of the problem.

Surveyors often hold industry recognised qualifications like CSRT and CSTDB which indicate they have undergone specialist training.

Wise Property Care has a number of trained and qualified damp surveyors across Scotland, able to provide you with a detailed damp and timber survey, with all findings provided to you in an easy to understand survey report.

A damp and timber survey will be carried out by a qualified surveyor at the agreed time and will begin with an assessment of the exterior of the property.

They will carry out a visual inspection of the property from ground level, including looking at the condition of roof coverings, masonry, chimneys, and the existing damp proof course - if there is one. They will also check for any high ground levels that may be bridging damp proof courses, or any other issues that could cause dampness. They inspect the condition of air bricks to ensure the subfloor is adequately ventilated.

The surveyor will then enter the property and begin an internal inspection looking for any tell tale signs of damp or mould. They will use a range of tools to check for readings like relative humidity, temperature and the dew point inside.

They will also use a moisture meter on walls to aid in diagnosis and provide a profile for any dampness. Moisture meters are useful tools to assess for rising or penetrating damp, but are usually used to understand the moisture levels in timber. Although they are not calibrated for moisture in masonry, a knowledgeable surveyor can interpret the readings and what they see visually to indicate if the moisture is from rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation.

Using this information, they will often be able to understand if there is a rising damp problem caused by a failed damp proof course, or the lack of one.

Thermal imaging cameras are a tool that can be used to visualise the differences in temperature on surfaces and can be used to pinpoint different moisture issues making them excellent ways to understand a damp or condensation problem in a property. Where building defects have been identified on the exterior, the surveyor will check for signs of penetrating damp inside the building. They will provide recommendations to fix any building defects found. They will also make note of any structural issues found, such as wall tie failure or structural cracking.

While carrying out their internal inspection, the surveyor will investigate any accessible  timber throughout the property to identify any evidence of fungal decay or active woodworm problems.

If a surveyor notices signs of woodworm, they will take time to determine if the infestation is active and the type of woodworm species involved. Active infestations will often require treatments to prevent further damage, and if there is evidence of damaged timber the surveyor will detail any requirements for repairs.

For fungal decay the surveyor will investigate for signs of rotten or decayed timber, and will investigate thoroughly to find the full extent of the problem. Wet rot and dry rot are both caused by prolonged moisture exposure, so identifying the source of this excess moisture is key.

Both wet rot and dry rot can cause structural damage to timber, but dry rot is capable of spreading through masonry and plasterwork - making a thorough inspection of all hidden areas such as sub floor voids essential.

If you think you have dry rot in your property you should arrange for a timber survey to fully assess the problem as soon as possible.

Once the survey is complete, the surveyor will then create a detailed report detailing the underlying causes to any apparent damp or timber problems

It will include floor plans (if applicable) and images to support observations and the report will describe the scale and scope of any preservation or remedial work required.

If no work is required the surveyor will detail this in the report - a professional surveyor will only quote for remedial damp proofing or timber treatments if they are necessary.

If you choose to go ahead with the work, our surveyor will be on hand to offer advice and detail the plan for remedial work.

Unless stated otherwise in your report, damp and timber work is backed by a long term guarantee, leaving you with long term peace of mind.

If you’re worried about a damp or timber problem, you should use a company who can provide you with expert surveys from local professionals.

Local Expertise: Our surveyors are not just qualified and experienced; they're also locally based throughout Scotland. This means they have an in-depth understanding of the common property challenges in your area.

Quality Workmanship: Our experienced technicians have the skills to get it right first time, ensuring that you face minimal disruption.

Trusted and Accredited Professionals: With backing from organisations like Which? Trusted Traders, TrustMark, Alcumus (SafeContractor), Constructionline, and the Property Care Association (PCA), you can be confident that you’re working with property preservation experts

Guaranteed Service: For over two decades we have been offering our clients long term guarantees, giving them peace of mind their property is protected long term.

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  What is a damp survey?

  A damp survey is an inspection of a building in order to determine the extent of damp related issues. It will provide evidence of whether the problem is rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation and all findings will be detailed in a survey report, compiled by the surveyor.

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  Do I need a damp survey in Scotland?

  If you are concerned about a damp problem in your property, or a property you are thinking about purchasing in Scotland, it is advisable to get a professional damp survey. It can provide you with information on the type of damp and the extent of the problem, and surveyors may be able to investigate other hidden problems associated with damp like fungal decay or woodworm.

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  Is it worth having a damp survey?

  A damp survey can provide you with more information about a damp problem, allowing you to decide on your next course of action. If the surveyor finds evidence of a damp problem they will provide you with recommendations on how to fix the problem and prevent any further issues down the line. If the damp surveyor gives your property a clean bill of health you know a professional has assessed it so you can have peace of mind.

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  What happens if a surveyor finds damp?

  If the surveyor carrying out a damp survey finds evidence of a damp problem, they will take time to fully investigate the issue and the source. They will detail their findings in a survey report, along with the next course of action. This could include remedial repairs and fixes to building defects.

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  What is a PCA damp survey?

  A PCA damp survey is a damp and timber survey carried out by a qualified surveyor who has a PCA qualification, typically either CSRT or CSTDB. Wise Property Care has a range of qualified surveyors across the whole of Scotland, and has been a member of the PCA for many years.

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  Is it worth paying for a damp survey?

  Yes, a damp survey is worth the investment if you want a second opinion from a qualified professional. They are not just quoting for damp proofing, but fully investigating the outside of your property for any signs of moisture ingress, and inside checking for damp or timber issues. The survey can provide you with peace of mind, and if you’re purchasing a property any remedial work that needs to be carried out can be used when renegotiating the purchase price, if required or if justified.

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  How Much Does a Damp Survey Cost?

  This will depend on the type and size of the property and the extent of the issue. Get in touch with Wise Property Care to get a quote tailored to your property.

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  Who pays for a damp and timber report in Scotland?

  In Scotland the seller is responsible for a Home Report, however if signs of damp or timber problems are apparent it is recommended that the buyer commissions an independent  damp and timber inspection. This will provide them with an independent assessment of the problem, along with any costs for remedial repairs. This can then be used to renegotiate the price, or if the work is too expensive you can then choose to walk away.

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  How long does a woodworm survey take?

  This will depend on the extent of the problem and size of the property, but a woodworm survey in a typical Scottish property can take around 1-2 hours to complete.

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  Should a survey pick up woodworm?

  Signs of woodworm may be picked up by a homebuyers survey, a building survey or a damp and timber survey if the timber is accessible and there are clear and visible signs of an active infestation. If the surveyor is unable to investigate the area thoroughly - through lack of access or because there are stored goods in the way - they may require access to be provided at a later date for inspection of those hard to reach areas. 

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  What is a rot report?

  A rot survey or rot report is another name for a damp and timber survey carried out to investigate issues relating to dampness or timber problems. If you think you have a problem with fungal decay, a qualified surveyor will be able to identify the type of rot, and the extent of the problem.