1
Free damp survey
We use a wide range of instruments and techniques to find any excessive moisture, then work out what type of damp it is and what's causing it. An accurate diagnosis comes first.
KDS Damp Proofing, Ipswich
Damp found, explained and treated properly.
Damp Proofing Specialists is Karl Duncan's damp company on Bramford Road. Free damp surveys and expert treatment for rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation and black mould, across Ipswich, Suffolk and Colchester, Essex.
4.7from 72 Google reviewsMon-Sat 8am-6pm
Replastered, ready to decorate
Free
damp surveys
4.7
on Google, 72 reviews
Ipswich
and across Suffolk
Colchester
and into Essex
Section 01 · Diagnosis
Four kinds of damp. Each one needs a different fix.
It's important to know which one you've got before anything is treated, so every job starts with a free survey and an accurate diagnosis.
- 01
Rising Damp
Water rising from the ground into the home, through or around a defective damp proof course (DPC), or through the brickwork where a property was built without one. It only affects basements and ground floor rooms, rarely climbs more than a metre, and usually leaves a tide mark low down on the wall, often with white salts.
- 02
Penetrating Damp
Found on external walls, or on ceilings when a roof leaks. It comes from a defect in the structure: missing pointing, missing roof tiles, loose flashing or leaking gutters, letting water pass from the outside to the inner surfaces.
- 03
Defective plumbing
Leaks from water and waste pipes, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. The patch looks and feels damp and stays damp whatever the weather outside. Left alone, rot can set into joists and floorboards.
- 04
Condensation and mould
By far the most common cause of damp. Moisture in the air meets a colder surface and turns to water, usually in the corners of rooms, on north facing walls, near windows and behind wardrobes and beds. Mould almost always follows.
Common signs of damp in a house
Spotted any of these? Treat damp as soon as you see it. Untreated, it can be extremely damaging to the structure and fabric of your home.
- A damp and musty smell
- Mould or mildew on walls, floors or ceilings
- Walls, floors or ceilings that feel cold or damp
- Dark or discoloured patches on walls or plaster
- Lifting or peeling wallpaper
- Excessive condensation on windows
Section 02 · Services
Damp proofing first. Everything around it too.
Damp rarely stops at the wall it shows up on, so we cover the plastering, timber, masonry and drainage work that goes with it. One company, start to finish.
- 01
Damp proofing
Treatment for Rising Damp, Penetrating Damp and Condensation, starting with a free survey to find the cause before anything is touched.
- 02
Black Mould treatment
Mould removal and mould control, dealing with the moisture behind it as well as the patches you can see.
- 03
Basements and cellars
Basement waterproofing, Basement Tanking, Cellar Tanking and Basement Conversions, for older cellars and new-build basements alike.
- 04
Plastering
A full plastering service: specialist damp proofing plastering, bonding and hardwall backing coats, and internal and external rendering.
- 05
Timber Treatment
Wet and dry rot treated in homes across the county, with an in-depth timber survey and replacement timbers where they're needed.
- 06
Structural repairs
Cracks in brickwork, render, lintels or stonework repaired with Crack Stitching: specialist steel bars that strengthen the masonry and stop further cracking, with far less disruption than rebuilding.
- 07
Masonry and Brick Seal
A breathable water seal for brick and stone that repels rain, stops penetrating damp in its tracks and helps prevent surface staining.
- 08
External Wall Insulation
Insulation fixed to the outside of solid wall properties, finished with reinforcement and a decorative render, to cut the heat lost through the walls.
- 09
Garden drainage
French drain installation, land drain pipes and soakaways to take surface water away from your property and stop gardens and patios waterlogging.
- 10
Carpentry
Laminate and wood flooring, hanging internal doors, and loft and attic floorboarding, for homeowners and commercial customers.
- 11
Sash Window repairs
Rattling, damaged or swelling sash windows repaired and restored, including sash window draught proofing and broken cords and glass.
- 12
Loft Boarding
Boarding out your loft to create extra storage space without cluttering up the living area or garage.
Section 03 · Basements and cellars
A dry cellar is extra living space waiting to happen.
Basement waterproofing is one of our specialist services. We work with homeowners, contractors and property developers, either retrofitting waterproofing to an existing basement or helping prevent damp in new-build basements, and we choose the right level of waterproofing for each one.
Basement Tanking
Coating the walls and floor with a waterproof layer that keeps the space dry even when the ground around it is wet.
Cellar Tanking
A waterproof cementitious slurry applied to properly prepared walls, curing into a barrier that keeps water and damp out.
Basement Conversions
Turning an underused basement into a cosy living room, a home office, or even a gym, from first consultation to finished room.
Section 04 · How a job runs
From the first reading to the last coat of plaster.
2
Strip out
Rising damp brings salts up with it, and salt-contaminated plaster keeps pulling moisture in even after treatment. So the affected plaster comes off, back to the brick.
3
Treat the cause
A new damp proof course, a damp proof membrane, tanking or repairs to the outside of the building, whatever the survey shows the wall actually needs.
4
Replaster and hand back
Specialist damp proofing plaster goes back on, the room is cleaned up, and it's ready for you to decorate.
“No unnecessary work carried out, which we really appreciated.”
Noleen Skudder, Google review
Section 05 · About us
Ipswich-based, and straight with you.
KDS Damp Proofing is Karl Duncan's damp company, based at 131 Bramford Road in Ipswich and trading as Damp Proofing Specialists. We look after homes and businesses across Ipswich and Suffolk, and over the border into Colchester, Essex.
Damp is the core of what we do: rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation and the black mould that comes with it. We also specialise in basement work, turning underused spaces into rooms you can actually live in.
We take the time to listen to your concerns and give honest, reliable advice, using the latest techniques and high-quality materials.
Free damp surveys
Honest advice
Ipswich based
Section 06 · Reviews
4.7 stars from 72 reviews on Google
“Very friendly and professional. Karl knew this stuff and gave me lots of options according to price. Was a tidy and polite worker.”
Anne Stamp
Google review, 8 months ago
“Brilliant experience working with KDS. Karl is excellent - he did a top job resolving the damp issues and offered really practical advice. At fair prices and a highly professional, reliable service, you can't ask for more.”
Frederick Bloomfield
Google review, 12 months ago
“Excellent service Karl was very knowledge and professional. Identified and dealt with my rising damp problem quickly . Very tidy worker and always showed up when he said he would. Definitely recommend.”
Judith Sharman
Google review, a year ago
“It was a pleasure to deal with Karl he was extremely knowledgeable and his advice and work that he undertook was very professional. Would not hesitate to recommend his services.”
Michael Last
Google review, 10 months ago
“Excellent service from Karl. We were really pleased from start to finish. No unnecessary work carried out, which we really appreciated. We had damp issues which have now been resolved. Would definitely recommend Karl and KDS Damp. Thank you.”
Noleen Skudder
Google review, a year ago
What is damp?
Damp is unwanted moisture in the structure of a building, and most properties in the UK will suffer from it at some stage. It either gets in from outside or is created inside the property. Left untreated, it can do real damage to the structure and fabric of your home.
Why does damp occur?
Most damp problems come down to penetrating damp and rising damp, and most of those are caused by a defect or damage to the building: roof coverings, render, gutters or downpipes. Condensation is the other big one, and it's driven by how much moisture a household produces and how well the home is heated and ventilated.
How can I tell what kind of damp I've got?
You can't always tell by eye, which is why we survey first. Damp can turn up anywhere in a building, old or new, and the treatment depends entirely on the cause. Book a free survey and we'll measure the moisture and explain what we find.
Why does the plaster have to come off?
Rising damp brings salts up from the ground with the water. Those salts attract moisture from the air, so contaminated plaster can stay damp even after a new damp proof course is in. Stripping and replacing it is a vital part of the job.
What is a damp proof membrane?
A moisture barrier. Under your floor it stops damp coming up from the ground, and on the inside face of an external wall it stops damp reaching your plaster and decoration. Membranes are also used on walls below ground level.
Do you only do damp?
Damp is the main job, but we also do plastering and rendering, timber treatment, structural repairs, brick sealing, external wall insulation, garden drainage, carpentry, sash window repairs and loft boarding.
Section 08 · Where we work
Ipswich, Suffolk and Colchester, Essex
Based on Bramford Road in Ipswich, covering Ipswich, Suffolk and the surrounding areas, and Colchester over the border in Essex.
131 Bramford Road
Ipswich IP1 2LW
Opening hours
- Monday
- 8am-6pm
- Tuesday
- 8am-6pm
- Wednesday
- 8am-6pm
- Thursday
- 8am-6pm
- Friday
- 8am-6pm
- Saturday
- 8am-6pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Section 09 · Contact
Book your free damp survey
Tell us what you're seeing and where you are, and we'll arrange a time to come and take a look. Free expert advice.
Request a free survey
We'll get back to you to arrange a time.