Standard buildings insurance does not usually cover penetrating damp. Insurers view it as gradual wear and tear caused by a lack of maintenance (e.g., aging roof or failing sealant) rather than a sudden, unpredictable event.
No, home insurance doesn't normally cover damp as it is usually caused by disrepair rather than an insured event. However, insurance providers take a different view if water damage is caused by a burst pipe or extreme weather event that causes damage to your home.
If left untreated, penetrating damp can lead to structural damage in the form of timber decay. Over time a penetrating damp problem may damage external brickwork and cause internal decorations such as plastering to discolour and crack.
Avoid making guesses or unsupported statements about what caused the damage to your property. Speculating can lead to inaccuracies in the adjuster's report, potentially affecting your claim.
How to Intimidate the Insurance Adjuster
The insurance company that denies the most claims depends heavily on the type of insurance you are referring to:
Do surveyors check every wall for damp? Surveyors will check visible walls, floors and ceilings, but they won't necessarily use moisture meters on every wall. If there are no apparent indicators of damp, moisture readings may be taken at random.
The time required to fix damp walls depends on the severity of the damage and the treatment method. Basic repairs for minor issues might take a few days, while more extensive problems like rising damp could require several weeks.
It is important to note that while a properly installed DPC can provide long-lasting protection against moisture penetration, it is not immune to wear and tear over time. Depending on the quality of installation and external factors, a damp proof course typically lasts between 20 to 30 years.
It is essential that the causes of the penetrating damp are fully appreciated, explored and remedied before any reinstatement works are undertaken. This investigation should be undertaken by a specialist surveyor. Checking the roof, walls and internal areas are all important.
The landlord is responsible when mould arises due to structural defects—such as leaks, defective gutters, or rising and penetrating damp. These are issues beyond the tenant's control and must be addressed by the property owner.
Below are key signs of penetrating damp and what you need to look out for:
Previously Filed Claims
Insurance companies decide your premium based on risk. Essentially, the greater your risk of filing a claim in the future, the higher your homeowner's insurance cost is likely to be. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that your insurance premium will go up after you file a claim.
Here's a quick guide: 16% – 20%: Early signs of damp; monitor and address promptly. 21% – 25%: Confirmed damp; immediate action required. 26%+: Severe damp; professional intervention needed.
The total value of your contents you want to insure. As a rough guide the average contents amount is between £45,000-£50,000*. Our contents calculator can help you work this out. Details of any high-value items worth over £1,000 you want to cover.
As a broad guide, damp proofing costs in 2026 typically fall within the following ranges: Localised rising damp treatment: £1,500 – £3,000. Full ground-floor damp proof course installation: £2,000 – £5,000. Replastering per room: £600 – £1,200.
Water ingress is an increasingly prominent problem in the UK today, often linked to ageing brickwork, harsh weather and poor maintenance. If unresolved, it leads to damp, mould, structural damage and costly future repairs, so taking action is important.
If you've ever asked the question, “How much does damp devalue a house?”, you're not alone. Googling the answer might surprise you: it can cause a decline anywhere between 10% – 50% in value. A shocking statistic, isn't it? This is why understanding damp issues becomes crucial.
Mold is generally at its worst from early spring through early fall (specifically July through October), peaking during the warmest and most humid months. Mold thrives in warm temperatures (60∘F to 80∘F) combined with relative humidity levels above 60%.
Noticeable signs of damp include the following:
Several common signs that conditions of excessive moisture exist in the home environment include the following:
Moisture within and behind walls can be detected with a pinless moisture meter. A non-destructive moisture meter can accurately locate and measure elevated moisture levels without the need to break the wall's surface material.
A red flag in a survey refers to severe problems found during the inspection that must be repaired as soon as possible. These concerns typically relate to structural decay and can have a significant negative impact on the property value.