Damp Proofing a Building Under Major Refurbishment on New Road, HP14
A building on New Road near High Wycombe had been empty for a long time and was due for major refurbishment. It had damp, mould, failed plaster and water ingress throughout.
Project at a Glance
The Brief
The owner needed a damp specification that fitted into a wider refurbishment.
The Survey
The survey found the property in poor condition, with widespread damp, mould, defective plaster, timber moisture issues and water ingress. The causes were a mix: external building defects, roof leaks, poor rainwater management, high ground levels, restricted ventilation, active plumbing leaks, age related deterioration and a long period empty.
The Solution
Sequence the work with the refurbishment:
- Make the building watertight and fix the roof, rainwater and plumbing leaks.
- Complete the strip out, improve ventilation, deal with drainage and agree the floor build up.
- Then carry out the damp proofing to provide a guarantee on the treated areas.
The Work
Advanced Damp installed a damp proof course and full height render over ten days in September 2026.
The Result
Doing the damp proofing after the building was watertight meant the new work went into walls that could dry. See our Buckinghamshire damp specialist page, or read about rising damp treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should damp proofing happen in a refurbishment?
After the building is watertight and the strip out is done, so the specification matches the final layout.
Why does a vacant building get so damp?
Without heating and ventilation, and with leaks left unrepaired, moisture builds up quickly.
Why full height render?
Where walls are affected well above low level, full height treatment gives a consistent, moisture resistant base.
Refurbishing a damp building?
Our CSSW and CSRT trained surveyors find the real cause before recommending any work. Non-invasive survey with a clear written report. No obligation.
Project completed by Advanced Damp near High Wycombe, HP14.
Sam Fitzgerald is the founder of Advanced Damp and a working damp and structural waterproofing surveyor diagnosing and treating moisture problems in residential and commercial properties across London and the South East. He is FODCS certified (a Federation of Damp Certified Surveyor) and a member of the Federation of Damp. His hands-on work covers rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, basement waterproofing to BS 8102, and thermal imaging surveys, and he has personally completed over 400 damp surveys across properties of every type and age. Everything he writes draws directly from jobs he has carried out. He does not write about treatments, products or causes he has not dealt with first-hand in the field.
