Damp Problems

Damp Floors

A damp floor can mean ground moisture reaching a solid floor, poor ventilation beneath a suspended timber floor, or a leak: each with different consequences if left unresolved.

Damp skirting board and floor area showing signs of rising ground moisture

What causes damp floors

Solid ground floors without an effective damp-proof membrane can allow ground moisture through, showing up as damp skirting, lifting flooring or a cold, clammy feel underfoot. Suspended timber floors rely on sub-floor airflow through air bricks; where these are blocked, damaged, or were never adequate, trapped moisture can lead to timber decay as well as surface damp.

Common signs to look out for

Skirting boards damp or damaged near floor level

Flooring that lifts, curls or feels damp to the touch

A musty or earthy smell at low level

Visible mould at the base of walls

Blocked or missing air bricks around the property's perimeter

A springy or soft feel underfoot on a timber floor

DAMPCORE technician inspecting sub-floor ventilation and damp floor conditions

How We Help

How we assess a damp floor

Solid and suspended timber floors are inspected differently, since the causes (and the risks if ignored) aren't the same.

  • Moisture readings taken at skirting and floor level
  • A check of external air brick provision and sub-floor ventilation, where accessible
  • Inspection of accessible timber floor structure for early signs of decay
  • Recommendations covering damp-proofing, ventilation improvement or timber repair as needed

What our customers say

“Good service. Turned up when they said they would, found the issue and explained it without loads of jargon. Work was tidy and the lads were decent. Can't ask for much more really.”

Paul · Knaresborough

“From the first call it felt professional. The chap who attended was friendly, took plenty of readings and didn't rush. Most importantly, he explained why the damp was happening rather than just telling us what product he wanted to put on the wall.”

Laura · Moortown, Leeds

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Frequently asked questions

Why does sub-floor ventilation matter?
A suspended timber floor relies on airflow underneath it to stay dry. Where that airflow is blocked (by external ground levels raised over air bricks, for example), trapped moisture can lead to fungal decay in the timber itself.
Is a damp floor always linked to rising damp?
Not always. It can also result from a leak, condensation pooling at low level, or inadequate sub-floor ventilation, which is why an inspection matters more than assumption.

Related services

Rising Damp

Learn more

Timber Preservation

Learn more

Wet Rot

Learn more

Covering Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region

Leeds is our principal service area, with coverage across the wider Yorkshire region.

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