Damp Proofing
Full damp proofing for houses, flats and commercial buildings — injected damp proof courses, tanking and salt-retardant replastering that stops moisture for good.
Learn moreIdeal Works LTD are Swansea's damp proofing and property preservation specialists. We diagnose the real cause of damp, rot and woodworm — then fix it properly, with a written guarantee.
From rising damp and woodworm to condensation and weatherproof masonry coatings — one local specialist for every damp-related problem in your property.
Full damp proofing for houses, flats and commercial buildings — injected damp proof courses, tanking and salt-retardant replastering that stops moisture for good.
Learn moreTide marks, blown plaster and salting at the base of your walls? We install a new chemical damp proof course and replaster to permanently cure rising damp.
Learn moreSmall round holes and fine dust in floorboards, joists or roof timbers mean active woodworm. We identify the species, treat the infestation and repair weakened timber.
Learn moreDry rot spreads fast and destroys structural timber. We remove the fungus, treat surrounding masonry, replace affected timbers and eliminate the moisture feeding it.
Learn moreStreaming windows and black mould are condensation, not rising damp. We fit PIV units, extraction and ventilation systems that fix the air in your home for good.
Learn moreHigh performance, breathable exterior wall coatings that shed driving rain, stop penetrating damp and keep your property looking sharp for decades.
Learn moreThey look similar on the wall but they’re completely different problems with completely different fixes. Getting this right is the single biggest thing that saves you money.
Ground water is drawn upwards through porous masonry by capillary action — the same way water climbs a sponge. It happens where there is no damp proof course, where the original one has broken down, or where it has been bridged by raised ground levels or render carried down over it.
Tell-tale sign: a horizontal tide mark up to roughly one metre above the floor, with white fluffy salt deposits and blown plaster below it. It never appears upstairs.
The fix: an injected chemical damp proof course plus salt-retardant replastering, because the old plaster holds salts that keep pulling moisture from the air.
Rising Damp TreatmentBy far the most common damp in UK homes — and the one most often misdiagnosed as rising damp. Warm, moisture-laden internal air hits a cold surface and releases its water. Cooking, showering, drying clothes indoors and simply breathing all add litres of moisture a day.
Tell-tale sign: water running down windows, black spot mould in corners, on ceilings, around window reveals and behind wardrobes on external walls. It is worst in winter.
The fix: ventilation, not damp proofing. A PIV unit and humidity-controlled extraction cost a fraction of unnecessary damp proofing work.
Condensation ControlWater tracks sideways through the wall from outside. Porous render or brickwork, failed pointing, a cracked downpipe, a leaking gutter or defective chimney flashing will all let driving rain through — and Swansea gets plenty of driving rain.
Tell-tale sign: an isolated damp patch that can be anywhere on the wall, including upstairs. It gets noticeably worse after heavy weather and dries back between storms.
The fix: repair the external defect, then protect the wall with a breathable high performance masonry coating that repels rain while letting the wall dry outwards.
Masonry CoatingsStill not sure which one you have? A free survey settles it — call 07850 123302.
No jargon, no pressure and no guesswork — just a clear diagnosis and a permanent repair.
We visit your property, take moisture readings with calibrated meters and identify exactly what's causing the problem — rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation or a defect such as a failed gutter.
You receive a plain-English report explaining the cause, the recommended treatment and a fixed price. No hard sell and no obligation to proceed.
Our team carries out the work cleanly and efficiently, protecting your floors and furniture, and keeping disruption to an absolute minimum.
We hand over your written guarantee along with practical aftercare advice so the problem never comes back — and we're always at the end of the phone.
We're a local, family-run firm based on Carmarthen Road in Gendros. Most of our work comes from recommendations, which means our reputation in Swansea matters more to us than any single job.
Most people can’t tell rising damp from condensation — and the two need completely different work. We’ll tell you which one you’ve actually got before you spend a penny.
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm · Sat 9am–4pm
Based in Gendros and working throughout Swansea, Gower and the surrounding valleys.
Not sure if we cover your postcode? Get in touch or call 07850 123302.
The questions Swansea homeowners ask us most often.
Costs depend on the size of the affected area and the treatment required. A single wall treated with an injected damp proof course and replastering typically starts from a few hundred pounds, while a full property treatment costs more. We provide a free, no-obligation survey and a fixed written quotation before any work begins — so there are never any surprises.
Rising damp usually shows as a tide mark up to around one metre from the floor, often with salt deposits and blown plaster. Condensation shows as water droplets on cold surfaces such as windows and external walls, with black mould in corners, behind furniture and around window reveals. The two require completely different treatments, which is exactly why a professional damp survey is essential before any work is carried out.
Yes — free and with no obligation, across Swansea, Gower, Neath, Port Talbot and the surrounding parts of South Wales. We use calibrated moisture meters to diagnose the true cause, then provide a clear written report and quotation.
Most domestic damp proofing jobs are completed in one to three days. Replastering needs time to dry before decorating — we normally advise allowing around one month per 25mm of plaster thickness before applying emulsion, and using a breathable paint initially.
Yes. All damp proofing, timber treatment and masonry coating work is carried out to industry standards and backed by a long-term written guarantee. The exact guarantee period for your treatment is confirmed in your quotation.
Properly applied treatment eradicates the active infestation and leaves the timber protected. However, woodworm thrives in damp timber — so if the underlying moisture problem isn't resolved, the risk returns. We always treat the cause of the damp alongside the infestation to give a permanent result.
We're based on Carmarthen Road in Gendros, Swansea, and cover the whole of Swansea — including Morriston, Sketty, Mumbles, Uplands, Llansamlet and Gorseinon — plus the Gower Peninsula, Neath, Port Talbot, Llanelli and the wider South Wales area.
If a buyer's surveyor flags damp, mortgage lenders often require a specialist damp report and remedial work before releasing funds. Having the problem diagnosed and treated — with a guarantee certificate in hand — prevents delays and protects your sale price.
Speak to a Swansea damp specialist for straight-talking advice and a fixed written quotation. No pressure, no obligation.