Damp Proofing Ealing

Ealing earned its name as the Queen of the Suburbs in the late Victorian and Edwardian period, when the railway brought large family houses, wide tree lined streets and parks such as Walpole Park and Ealing Common. Further out, in West Ealing, Hanger Hill and Pitshanger, there are more Edwardian terraces and a large number of 1930s semi detached houses.

Most of Ealing sits on river terrace gravels over London Clay. The gravels drain well near the surface, but the clay beneath holds water, so moisture collects at the junction and can rise against walls and into floor voids in wet winters. The River Brent runs along the northern and western edge through Pitshanger and Brent Lodge Park, and streets near it have a higher water table.

The Victorian and Edwardian houses have solid brick walls, suspended timber ground floors and slate or bitumen damp proof courses now well over a hundred years old. Common faults are damp proof courses bridged by raised paths, patios and flower beds, blocked air bricks, and rising damp in front and party walls.

Bay windows, decorative brickwork and tiled front paths are part of Ealing's character, but they can also hide problems. Cracked render on bays, failed pointing and leaking downpipes cause penetrating damp, and tiled paths laid above the damp proof course are one of the most common causes of damp in front walls.

The 1930s houses usually have cavity walls, and many have had cavity wall insulation added. On exposed elevations or where the cavity was already full of debris, that insulation can carry water across to the inner wall, and the result looks like rising damp but needs a completely different fix.

Damp in suspended floor voids can lead to wet rot in joists and skirtings, and in the larger Edwardian houses we sometimes find dry rot under floors or behind panelling. We check floor voids and sub floor ventilation on every survey.

Ealing has many cellars and an increasing number of basement extensions under the larger houses. A basement in clay needs a properly designed waterproofing system, usually a cavity drain membrane with a sump and pump, built to BS 8102:2022.

Chimney breasts are another frequent cause of damp in Ealing houses. When fireplaces are blocked up and the flue is left without ventilation, or the stack is poorly capped, moisture and salts build up in the brickwork and show as stubborn damp patches on the chimney breast, often on upper floors. Kitchen and bathroom extensions added at the back can also bridge the original damp proof course where they meet the house.

Condensation and mould are common too, particularly in converted flats, kitchen extensions and bathrooms without good extraction. We measure humidity and check ventilation so condensation is not mistaken for rising damp.

Because each house type in Ealing gets damp for different reasons, the survey always comes first. Our CSSW and CSRT trained surveyors take moisture readings, use thermal imaging where it helps, and check drainage, pointing, ground levels and ventilation before recommending anything. You get a written report with photos that explains the cause in plain language and sets out the fix, with no obligation.

We cover W5, W13 and parts of W3, including Ealing Broadway, Ealing Common, South Ealing, West Ealing, Pitshanger and Hanger Hill. Surveys are arranged from our London office at 45 Fitzroy Street.