Damp Specialists in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton

Weather Wise Solutions Limited are damp, mould and condensation specialists based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and we survey and treat homes in Tettenhall, Tettenhall Wood, Wightwick, Aldersley and the streets around them. If you've spotted a damp patch, mould, a musty smell or a floor that feels soft, we'll come and find the cause and talk you through it. Our surveys are free.

Tettenhall's homes and their damp problems

Tettenhall sits on a ridge on the west side of Wolverhampton, with Upper Green on the high ground and Lower Green at the foot of The Rock, near St Michael's church. Below the ridge runs the Smestow Brook, once a larger stream through marshy ground, and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal follows the valley past Newbridge. It was a Staffordshire village until it joined the borough of Wolverhampton in 1966, and it still feels like one. The homes here range from period houses around the Greens to inter-war and post-war semis and later estates, and where a house sits on that slope matters as much as when it was built.

Period houses around the Greens

The older houses near Upper and Lower Green and along the main roads are mostly solid-walled. They often have lime mortar, original timber floors and chimneys that are no longer used. Damp in these houses usually comes from rain getting through tired pointing, a failed flashing or a gutter that overflows, or from a damp proof course that has been bridged by later paving. Blocked air bricks under a suspended timber floor are another common find, and they can lead to decay in the joists long before anything shows in the room above.

Homes on the slope

On a ridge, ground water runs downhill. A house cut into the slope, or one with a garden higher than its floor, can have soil and water held against the back wall. That shows as damp at low level on the uphill side, and is easy to mistake for rising damp. We check ground levels, drainage and the land behind the house before recommending anything.

Semis and estates from the 1930s onwards

Much of Tettenhall and Tettenhall Wood is made up of 20th century semis and detached houses with cavity walls. In these homes the usual problem is condensation: replacement windows, sealed fireplaces and extra insulation keep heat in but also keep moisture in. Bedrooms facing the colder side of the house, the corners of north-facing rooms and the walls behind wardrobes are where mould tends to start.

What we're asked to look at

• Rising damp at the base of walls, confirmed with readings before any treatment. See rising damp.
• Penetrating damp from rain, failed pointing, chimneys and gutters, common on exposed walls along the ridge. See penetrating damp.
• Condensation and black mould, mostly in airtight 20th century homes. See condensation and mould.
• Timber decay in suspended floors, skirting and roof timbers where air bricks are blocked or damp has been left too long.

How we put it right

We fix the cause, not the stain. Rising damp may need a new damp proof course followed by the right plaster, and every damp proof course we fit carries a 20-year insurance-backed guarantee. Rain getting in is stopped outside, with repointing, gutter or flashing repairs. Ground held against a wall may need the levels lowering or drainage improving. Condensation is reduced by controlling moisture and adding ventilation. Decayed timber is repaired once the floor can stay dry.

Your survey

We'll ask what you've noticed and when, take readings inside, check the walls, gutters, air bricks and ground outside, and look at any timber nearby. You get a clear answer on the day and a written quote if work is needed. Most surveys are free; the Home Buyer Quote is £349, the Full Damp & Timber Report is £449 and the Ventilation Inspection & Report is £349. For rented homes we arrange the visit with the landlord or their letting agent.

Our surveyors

Our surveying team includes professionals holding the Certified Surveyor of Timber & Dampness in Buildings (CSTDB) qualification alongside the Level 3 Award DMCB and the City & Guilds-recognised FODCS qualification. Meet them on our qualified surveyors page. We are members of the Damp Proofing Association, the Federation of Damp and Trust a Trader, and we are CHAS accredited and Google Guaranteed.

Nearby areas we cover

We also survey homes across Wolverhampton, in Wombourne, Wednesfield and Willenhall, and in Perton, Pattingham and Codsall.

Questions we're asked in Tettenhall

Why is only the back wall of my house damp?

On a sloping site, the back wall is often the one with earth or a raised garden against it. Water held in that ground soaks into the wall. Lowering the ground or improving drainage usually helps more than an injection.

My floor feels springy near the wall. Is it rot?

It could be. Joist ends built into a damp wall can decay while the rest of the floor stays sound. Blocked air bricks make it more likely. We lift a board where needed and check.

Should older houses be pointed with cement?

Not if they were built with lime mortar. Cement is harder and less breathable, so it can trap water in the brick and push damp inside. We'll tell you what your wall needs.

Why does my bedroom get mould every winter?

Cold walls, a closed door and furniture against outside walls are the usual reasons. The moisture comes from the household, so the answer is ventilation and steady heating.

How do I book?

Call 01782 901101 or use our contact page. Most surveys are free.

Book a free damp survey in Tettenhall

For damp, mould or condensation in your Tettenhall home, call Weather Wise Solutions on 01782 901101 or book through our contact page.