PCA-aligned · specialist diagnostic

Damp & Timber reports — specialist diagnosis surveyors and lenders trust

Distinguishes rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation. Identifies wet rot, dry rot, and woodworm. Captures moisture meter readings, salt analysis, and recommended remedial spec. Aligned to PCA Code of Practice.

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What's in the report

Sections A–F — from inspection to recommended remedial spec.

AInspection detailsSurveyor, qualifications (PCA-CSRT, RICS, etc.), instructing party, date, weather, methodology, equipment used (Protimeter type, salt-test kit), areas not inspected.
BProperty & constructionAddress, age, construction (solid wall / cavity / timber frame), DPC presence and type, ground levels, sub-floor ventilation, window/cill detail.
CDamp findingsPer affected area: type (rising / penetrating / condensation / lateral), location, moisture readings (% wood moisture equivalent, %WME), salt-test results, photographic evidence, suspected source.
DTimber findingsPer defect: wet rot / dry rot / woodworm / death-watch / longhorn, location, extent (mm of decay or # of flight holes per m²), structural significance, moisture context.
EDiagnosis & remedial specRecommended treatment per finding: chemical DPC, atmospheric ventilation, fungicidal treatment, timber replacement. Specifications include products and concentration where appropriate.
FSurveyor's declarationPCA-aligned attestation, qualifications, conflicts of interest disclosure (e.g. independent vs treatment-company employed), AI disclosure.

Defect taxonomy — what the template knows

Pre-defined categories the AI uses to draft accurate descriptions and remedies.

Damp types

4 distinct types

Rising damp (capillary action up to ~1m), penetrating damp (lateral, often via defective external fabric), condensation (atmospheric, often misdiagnosed as rising), and lateral damp (basement/below-ground). Each has a distinct profile and remedy — mixing them up is a common diagnostic error.

Timber decay

Wet rot vs dry rot

Wet rot (Coniophora puteana etc.) needs >30% MC, stays localised, recovers when source dries. Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) needs ~22–30% MC, spreads through brickwork via mycelium, requires extensive remedial work. The template flags spec correctly per organism.

Wood-boring insects

Woodworm species

Common furniture beetle, death-watch beetle, house longhorn, powderpost beetle, wood-boring weevils. Species ID via flight-hole size and frass — remedy choice depends on species (some need different active ingredients; some indicate dampness causing reinfestation).

Damp & Timber FAQs

Who can produce a Damp & Timber report?

A specialist surveyor — typically PCA-CSRT (Property Care Association Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment) or PCA-CSSW (Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing). Some chartered surveyors with relevant CPD also produce them. Lenders increasingly want PCA-CSRT for rising damp diagnosis specifically.

How does it support moisture meter readings?

Per finding, the report captures specific %WME readings from a calibrated moisture meter, the meter type (Protimeter Aquant / Surveymaster), the substrate, and the depth of reading. This evidence is what distinguishes a defensible diagnosis from a guess.

Does it handle conflicts of interest?

Yes. The declaration captures whether the surveyor is independent or employed by a treatment company, and any commercial relationship to recommended contractors. Lenders and solicitors increasingly check for independence in damp diagnoses, especially where chemical injection is recommended.

Can the report drive a Letter of Claim or PI defence?

Yes. The structured findings, moisture readings, and remedy specifications are formatted to be admissible as expert evidence. The Surveyor's Declaration includes a CPR Part 35-aware attestation when the report is being used in litigation context.

Does AI help with diagnosis?

AI drafts the descriptive narrative around each finding from your on-site notes. Diagnosis is surveyor-only — the AI doesn't propose damp type or species ID; those are professional judgements with downstream cost consequence. Strict-literal mode prevents the AI inventing readings or substrates.