Damp Proofing
A lot of what gets diagnosed as rising damp is a failed gutter, blown pointing or a blocked air brick. We look at the outside of the building before we start injecting the inside of it.
Damp proofing from £500. See our cost guide
- Cause diagnosed first
- External repairs included
- 25-year insurance-backed guarantee
- 9.97/10 Checkatrade
- 5.0 Google
Our company is a top-rated service provider
40 Checkatrade reviews in the last 12 months £2 million public liability 10-year workmanship guarantee, 25 years insurance-backed on damp proofing and cavity wall insulation
Verified reviews
What customers say
“We were in the middle of selling our house when the buyer's mortgage was declined due to spray foam insulation in the loft. From the first call the team were knowledgeable, honest and reassuring. The spray foam was removed professionally, the loft was left tidy, and most importantly we received full certification.”
Verified customer 10/10Spray foam removal · BL3
“The team arrived and got straight on with the work, removing the old insulation and then straight on with installing the new. They were polite and answered questions we had, and when they had finished they cleaned up and asked us to have a look to see everything was alright. Very impressed.”
Carol O 10/10Loft insulation · PO12
“Great — quickly installed, friendly and super tidy.”
Ryan F 10/10Loft insulation · WF3
“We contacted EcoTrust after spray foam insulation in the loft caused problems with our house sale following the mortgage survey. They explained clearly why the foam was an issue and set out exactly what needed to be done. After completion we received the necessary paperwork, which was accepted by the surveyor, allowing the sale to move forward.”
Verified customer 10/10Spray foam removal · M2
“The 2-man team arrived just after 8am and immediately covered the stair and landing carpet prior to starting. They explained exactly what they were going to do, hoovered the roof space following removal of the 2 layers of old insulation, then fitted the new wool insulation and hoovered all my carpets. Friendly, polite and professional.”
Verified customer 10/10Loft insulation · CW11
“Really excellent job done. EcoTrust sorted out our damp porch area using damp course injections, salt neutralising treatment, a membrane as well as repointing and installing an air brick. It was plastered, left neat and tidy and ready for decorating. Liam's communication and advice was excellent throughout.”
Jess G 10/10Damp proofing · CW9
“From initial contact they were highly professional and very thorough with their initial assessment. Very professional and easy to have around the home. Communication was excellent and they even phoned if they were going to be a little late. Kept us informed at all stages and invited us up into the loft to check on progress.”
Verified customer 10/10Spray foam removal · BL5
“I would highly recommend EcoTrust. From start to finish they have been extremely professional. Booking in a survey was easy. Liam turned up on time, was very pleasant and informative, and gave me an instant quote which was very competitive. On the day the lads turned up on time, put down dust sheets and got on with the job in hand.”
Nigel B 10/10Loft insulation · BB10
“We had ongoing damp issues throughout the downstairs of our home. Ben and Lee were excellent from start to finish. They carried out repointing works externally to resolve the source of water ingress, then completed a full damp proof course and installed a damp proof membrane internally. Everything was explained clearly from the outset.”
Verified customer 9.33/10Damp proofing · M28
“No crappy selling technique, just the facts. Very understanding and helpful. They have done a great job at removing the spray foam and cleaning up after themselves as well. They hoovered everything — I think the loft is cleaner now than when they started.”
Verified customer 10/10Spray foam removal · CW10
“I used EcoTrust to insulate and board my loft. The two installers who carried out the work were wonderful — really considerate, helpful in their advice, and they cleaned up after themselves and worked really hard throughout. I would have no hesitation in recommending the firm to anyone.”
Verified customer 10/10Insulation & boarding · S36
“After recently having loft insulation replaced, EcoTrust came back to fix a hole in the ceiling and replaster. Ben and Lee were beyond any expectations we could have asked for. Being conscious of mess due to dogs in our home, they went above and beyond — there literally wasn't any. Would certainly use again.”
Simon R 10/10Ceiling repair · SY10
“Very professional. Team worked well clearing and cleaning the loft space prior to installing new insulation. They were polite and respectful and kept me fully informed throughout.”
Deborah T 10/10Loft insulation · WR3
“Polite and conscientious team. They worked hard and answered any questions we had. They took photos of the loft after they'd cleared it of boarding. After they'd put the insulation down they encouraged us to have a look. They vacuumed the carpet afterwards although they had put a polythene covering down to protect it.”
Valerie K 10/10Loft insulation · LS24
“Very happy with the work completed removing some stubborn spray foam insulation from our loft. Hard working guys, very polite and friendly. Always kept us updated on progress and timescales. A great job and would highly recommend.”
Verified customer 10/10Spray foam removal · DN14
“From when we had the survey to when the job was finished I can't fault anything. Everyone was friendly, professional and respectful to us and our property.”
Valerie W 10/10Loft insulation · WS2
“My loft space was partially boarded and the works had left it full of dislodged old insulation and debris. I got a call immediately after requesting a quote and a visit the same week. Two men arrived and got straight to work, hardly stopping for a drink. I'm amazed they managed to keep my house so clean when they were filthy.”
Verified customer 10/10Loft clearance · WN7
“Really impressed with the whole service. We had damp showing through the living-room wall and EcoTrust came out the next day. The explanation was clear and honest, and the team carried out the treatment quickly with no mess left behind. The wall has dried out perfectly and there's been no sign of damp returning.”
Verified customer 10/10Damp proofing · BH6
What it involves
Damp is the one area of this trade with the worst reputation, and mostly it is earned. The quick version is to inject a chemical course, replaster over it and leave. If water is still getting in from outside, that patch comes back within a year or two.
So we survey the outside first. Pointing, gutters, downpipes, ground levels, air bricks. Then we deal with what is happening inside.
Three different problems that look the same
Rising damp comes up from the ground where there is no damp proof course or the existing one has failed. It shows as a tide mark with salt staining, usually under a metre.
Penetrating damp comes through the wall from outside, driven by rain on an exposed elevation, a failed gutter or blown pointing. It follows the weather rather than the floor line.
Condensation is moisture already in the house that has nowhere to go. It shows as black mould in corners, around windows and behind furniture. Injecting a damp course does nothing for it, and plenty of people have paid for exactly that.
How the job runs
Start to finish
- Survey inside and outReadings taken inside, and a proper look at the pointing, gutters, ground levels and ventilation outside. You get told which of the three you have and why.
- External repairs firstRepointing, gutter and downpipe repairs, air bricks. If water is getting in from outside there is no sense treating the inside yet.
- Internal treatmentDamp proof course injection where it is genuinely needed, salt neutralising treatment, and a membrane where the wall calls for it.
- Replastered and handed backPlaster taken back to sound brick rather than patched over, then replastered, skirting renewed and the room left clean and ready to decorate.
The price covers
What is in, and what is not
Both halves matter. A quote that lists everything and excludes nothing is usually hiding the extras until the invoice.
Included
- Full internal and external survey before anything is priced
- Damp proof course injection where it is needed
- Salt neutralising treatment and membrane where the wall calls for it
- Repointing and external repairs to stop the ingress
- Air bricks and ventilation improvements
- Replastering and renewed skirting, ready to decorate
- 25-year guarantee on the damp proofing work, insurance-backed by GPI so it holds even if anything happens to us
Not included
- Decoration — we leave it ready to paint, once the plaster has dried out
- Underpinning or structural work, which needs a structural engineer
Evidence
Jobs like yours, written up
Evidence-led work
Recent jobs, start to finish
Spray Foam Removal · SheffieldSpray Foam Removal in Sheffield: 50m² Loft Restored50m² · Five working days
Loft Insulation · ManchesterLoft Insulation in Manchester: 100m² Reinsulated to 300mm100m² · Two days
Loft Boarding · PrestonLoft Boarding in Preston: 74m² of Storage Without Crushing the Insulation74m² · Three days
Damp Proofing · ManchesterDamp Proofing in Manchester: Entrance Hall Taken Back and Replastered
Spray Foam Removal · BournemouthSpray Foam Removal in Bournemouth: Roof Reopened and Reinsulated
Loft Insulation · LeedsLoft Insulation in Leeds: Old Insulation Out, 300mm In, 15m² Boarded
Loft Boarding · NottinghamLoft Insulation and Boarding in Nottingham: Raised Deck Over New Wool
Spray Foam Removal · BurnleySpray Foam Removal in Burnley, Lancashire56m² · Two days
Loft Boarding · County DurhamLoft Boarding and Insulation in County Durham270mm wool · One day
Loft Insulation · Leeds300mm Loft Insulation in Leeds, West Yorkshire35m² · One day
FAQs
The things everyone asks
How do you know it is rising damp and not something else?
By looking outside as well as inside. Height and pattern tell you a lot: a tide mark under a metre with salt staining behaves differently from a patch that tracks the weather or mould that appears in cold corners.
How long before I can decorate?
New plaster needs to dry out properly, typically several weeks depending on the room and the time of year. Painting too early traps moisture and you will see it come through.
How long does a damp course last?
Our damp proofing work carries a 25-year guarantee, insurance-backed by GPI (Guarantee Protection Insurance). Your cover holds even if anything happens to us as a business, and it passes to the next owner if you sell. The terms are written into the quotation before you agree to anything: what is covered, for how long, and what would fall outside it.
Will the mould come back?
Not if the cause has been dealt with. If it was condensation rather than damp, the fix is ventilation rather than injection, and we will tell you that even though it is the smaller job.
Do you treat black mould?
Yes. Black mould is a symptom, so we find the cause first. In cold corners and behind furniture it is usually condensation, which needs better ventilation and heating rather than a damp course. Where it comes from penetrating or rising damp, we fix the source and treat the wall.
Do you do damp surveys?
Yes, and they are free. We check outside first, including pointing, gutters, ground levels and air bricks, take moisture readings inside, and give you a written explanation of the cause with a fixed price if work is needed.
Can you repoint brickwork?
Yes. Worn or cracked pointing is one of the most common reasons water gets into a wall, so repointing is often part of the fix. We price it separately so you can see exactly what it costs.
Free survey, and a price in writing
No obligation, no doorstep sales. If we are not the right people for the job, we will tell you that instead.