Damp Proofing in Portobello
Damp in Portobello — whether it's rising up from the ground, getting in from outside, or condensation building up inside — is diagnosed by survey and treated at the source, with the price agreed before we start. We're out across Edinburgh regularly, so most enquiries get a survey within days.
Quick answer
Damp proofing in Portobello starts with a free survey to diagnose whether it's rising, penetrating or condensation damp, followed by a fixed written quote. Most single-wall treatments start from around £350, with the work carried out at the source and backed by a written guarantee.
How does damp proofing work in Portobello?
In Scotland, traditional stone tenements and solid-wall housing exposed to a wet climate commonly show penetrating and rising damp, which we treat with methods suited to older, breathable construction.
Getting the diagnosis right is everything with damp in Portobello — rising, penetrating and condensation damp look similar but are treated in completely different ways, so we always survey and confirm the cause before quoting rather than guessing from a photo.
Every job in Portobello starts with a survey and a fixed written price before any work begins — get in touch through the contact form with your postcode and a short description. You can see indicative costs on our price guide or read the full how it works steps.
Damp services available in Portobello
Whether it's rising damp treatment on a ground-floor wall, penetrating damp treatment where water is getting in from outside, or condensation and mould control in a poorly ventilated room, every job in Portobello starts with a proper damp survey to confirm the cause. From there we install a new damp-proof course where needed, follow up with damp-proof re-plastering, and deal with any woodworm and timber treatment or basement waterproofing the property needs.
Damp Proofing Price Guide
Indicative pricing — every job gets a fixed, written quote after a survey. No hidden extras.
Damp survey & report
diagnosis
Free
Free for straightforward jobs; a detailed independent survey report is available for mortgage or purchase cases.
DPC injection (per wall)
rising damp
from £350
Chemical damp-proof course injection to a single affected wall — priced by length and access.
Damp-proof re-plaster
per room
from £600
Salt-resistant re-plastering after treatment, so the wall can be redecorated cleanly.
Basement / cellar tanking
waterproofing
from £1500
Structural waterproofing (tanking or cavity membrane) — quoted per project after survey.
Common damp problems we treat in Portobello
Rising damp
Tide marks and salt staining up to about a metre on ground-floor walls.
Penetrating damp
Damp patches at any height that appear or worsen after heavy rain.
Condensation & mould
Black mould in corners and around windows, and streaming glass in winter.
Damp-affected timber
Wet rot, dry rot or woodworm where moisture has reached joists and skirtings.
Also serving nearby in Edinburgh
Portobello is one of many towns we cover across Edinburgh — we're regularly working in these nearby areas too:
Related damp services in Portobello
See all damp proofing services →Damp proofing in Portobello — frequently asked questions
Is your damp proofing work guaranteed?
Yes — damp-proof course treatments are carried out to industry standards and backed by a written workmanship guarantee. We confirm the exact terms and length in your quote before any work starts.
Can you treat woodworm and rotten timber too?
Yes. Damp and timber problems usually go together — where damp has caused wet rot, dry rot or woodworm in joists, skirtings or timbers, we treat the timber as part of the same visit once the moisture source is dealt with.
Will damp proofing be disruptive?
Most single-room DPC and re-plaster jobs take one to three days. There is some dust and mess while old plaster comes off, but we sheet up, work room by room, and clear up as we go so you can stay in the property in most cases.
Do you provide a report for a house sale or mortgage?
Yes. If a mortgage valuation or buyer’s survey has flagged damp, we can carry out an independent specialist damp survey and provide a written report and quote — often what’s needed to keep a sale moving.
What causes penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp comes from water getting in from outside — a cracked render, failed pointing, a leaking gutter, a bridged cavity or a faulty damp-proof course. Unlike rising damp it can appear at any height, and the fix is about stopping the water getting in, not just treating the wall inside.
Can condensation and mould be fixed permanently?
Yes, but it’s about managing moisture and ventilation rather than a one-off treatment. We identify why moisture is building up, treat and remove the mould, and recommend the right ventilation (extraction, PIV units or improved airflow) so it doesn’t simply return.
Damp is treated by cause, not by symptom: rising, penetrating and condensation damp look similar but need completely different treatments, which is why every job starts with a proper survey and diagnosis before any work is quoted.
Book a free damp survey in Portobello
Tell us about the damp and your postcode — we'll arrange a survey and a fixed written quote.