Garratt's Damp & Timber

We are timber and damp specialists covering London and the surrounding areas. Having spent the last 16 years refining our techniques and surveying systems, we can offer you a top-quality service to get your damp problem resolved as quickly and easily as possible. Throughout this time, we have compiled a comprehensive list of services, addressing issues from dry and wet rot to rising damp, condensation and basement tanking systems, solidifying our position as one of London's leading damp and timber specialists.

Gill is our Managing Director. Aside from holding over 30 years' experience in the damp proofing trade, she is also the founding member of Garratt's Damp and Timber. Gill is an expert when it comes to surveying - she covers everything from condensation to rising dampness, specialising in insects and wood rot. Usually found surveying a property somewhere in London, the number of appointments that Gill can squeeze into her day is nothing short of a miracle! Specialising in basement tanking, Jack is a member of our Remedial Surveying team.

The client instructed Garratt's to conduct a free damp survey and offer considerations related to any remedial works as required. The property was an Edwardian two-bed terrace that was constructed of nine-inch solid brick walls, timber suspended floors, clay-tiled roof and pebble-dashed render. The Survey and Report: Our PCA trained surveyor encountered Dry Rot (Serpula Lacrymens) affecting the front reception of the ground floor in a North London property. This was evident from the fruiting body of the rot appearing below the skirting board.

Garratt's Damp & Timber offer a completely free damp survey in London and the home counties. It's our goal to offer the most complete free damp surveys that cover all potential issues or concerns and to achieve this, we ensure that we work around you, organising an appointment based on the times when you're free. We aim to offer the most human, personalised service possible and we strive to surpass your expectations by offering a full report on your survey within 24 hours of our initial visit. Here at Garratt's Damp & Timber, we understand that tradespeople shouldn't just do a good job - they should offer a great service too.

When looking for a full and thorough damp proofing solution, you need to be able to call upon a reliable service provider with years of experience in the inspection, diagnosis and treatment of all types of damp. At Garratt's Damp & Timber, we have spent almost two decades perfecting our techniques and methods of damp proofing, so much so that we can offer 20 years guarantee of all general work conducted by our team. Damp is an issue that can affect any property, regardless of size, location and age.

Woodworm is a loose term that references the larvae of multiple different species of wood-boring insect. Usually, the insect that causes woodworm is the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum), which is responsible for 75% of all timber damage in the UK. The beetle lays its eggs within the wood and when the larvae emerge, they begin to consume the timber for up four years until they are ready to pupate and change into an adult. From a preventative perspective, ensuring the wood in your property remains dry is a key factor in avoiding woodworm related issues, as the larvae prefer wood with a moisture content of 15-30%.

In addition, all guarantees have the option to be underwritten by Specialist Building Guarantees at an additional charge. Specialist Building Guarantees are an independent company specialising in the damp proofing and timber preservation industry. As we are registered members, we are able to provide the benefit of their insurance underwriting service. All of our guarantees are made to the name of your property, meaning that they are automatically transferable in the event of resale. This will also save you the need for any additional charges or administrative assistance.

Wet rot is a term used to describe multiple species of fungus which grow on porous substances like wood when there is a moisture level of at least 50%. Wet rot gained its name because it requires a significantly higher moisture level than the other primary cause of timber damage in homes, dry rot. If you're ever unsure about the severity or presence of wet rot, try pushing a sharp object into the suspected wood. If the wood is healthy, it will have trouble passing through. If it easily enters the wood, then you can be sure that the moisture content of the timber is too high and you have a problem on your hands, even if wet rot hasn't set in yet.