Damp Specialists in Greater Manchester

Weather Wise Solutions Limited are damp, mould and condensation specialists based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Greater Manchester is one of the six areas we cover, from Bolton and Wigan in the west to Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside in the east. We find out why a home is damp before recommending any work, and our damp surveys are free.

Why homes in Greater Manchester get damp

Greater Manchester grew on cotton, coal and engineering, and the ten boroughs still carry the housing that growth left behind. Long streets of red-brick Victorian terraces surround the old mill towns and the inner city. Between the wars came bay-fronted semis in places like Stretford, Sale and Cheadle, and the huge garden-city estate at Wythenshawe. After 1945 the councils built large estates and tower blocks, and many old mills have since become flats. Add the area's reputation for rain and you get a wide spread of damp problems, often in the same street.

Victorian and Edwardian terraces

Most older terraces have solid brick walls, so a gable end or a back wall that takes the weather can let rain through to the plaster. Low-level damp usually comes from a damp proof course that has failed or been bridged by a raised yard, path or render, or from old plaster full of salts. Many of these houses have cellars, and below-ground walls with earth against them are a common source of damp and musty smells. Back kitchens and bathrooms in the rear outriggers are small and cold, which makes condensation likely.

Inter-war and post-war homes

Cavity-walled semis and estate houses rarely have true rising damp. What we see far more often is condensation and black mould, especially once new windows and draught-proofing have shut off the old ventilation. Some have had cavity wall insulation added later, and where it has got wet or bridges the cavity the inside of an outside wall can show damp patches. Flats in converted mills and blocks have their own issues: shared roofs, gutters and walls, and kitchens and bathrooms with no window.

Our Greater Manchester town pages

We cover the whole county. Each of these pages looks at the homes and damp problems in that area:

• Manchester and Salford: Manchester, Salford, Eccles and Wythenshawe.
• Trafford: Trafford, Sale, Stretford, Urmston and Altrincham.
• Stockport and Tameside: Stockport, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Tameside and Ashton-under-Lyne.
• The north and west: Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Wigan.

What we treat

• Rising damp: confirmed with readings and an outside check first. Every damp proof course we fit comes with a 20-year insurance-backed guarantee. See rising damp.
• Penetrating damp: rain through brickwork, pointing, chimneys and gutters, stopped from the outside. See penetrating damp.
• Condensation and black mould: tackled by cutting moisture and improving ventilation, including positive input ventilation units. See condensation and mould.
• Damp cellars: tanked with a tanking system and a suitable plaster. We're a fully approved Remmers installer, so our tanking is covered by a Remmers manufacturer guarantee. See cellar and basement waterproofing.
• Timber decay: wet rot, dry rot and woodworm. See dry rot and wet rot.

Surveys and prices

We ask where the damp is and when it's worst, take moisture readings inside and look at the outside of the building. You get a plain explanation on the day and a written quote if work is needed, and if the real problem is a roof or plumbing job we say so. Most surveys are free. The paid services are the Home Buyer Quote at £349, the Full Damp & Timber Report at £449 and the Ventilation Inspection & Report at £349. For rented homes we arrange the visit with the landlord or their letting agent.

Landlords in Greater Manchester

The new landlord register opens in the North West on 15 May 2027, and every rented home will need to be recorded on it. The government is also consulting until mid-December 2026 on extending Awaab's Law, which sets deadlines for dealing with damp and mould, to private rented homes; nothing about its scope or timing is decided yet. A record of when damp was reported, what caused it and what was done is worth keeping either way. Our landlord surveys page explains how we work with landlords and letting agents.

Who we are

We're a family and friends run business with over 40 years' combined experience across the team. 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; see our qualified surveyors page. We're members of the Damp Proofing Association, the Federation of Damp and Trust a Trader, and we're CHAS accredited and Google Guaranteed, with more than 1,400 Google reviews.

Neighbouring areas

We also cover Cheshire, Merseyside and Derbyshire, including Glossop and Warrington.

Questions about damp in Greater Manchester

Do you cover all of Greater Manchester?

Yes, all ten boroughs. Call us with your postcode and we'll arrange a survey.

My terraced house has a damp cellar. Can it be used as a room?

Often, yes. Once we know where the water comes from, a cellar can usually be tanked and plastered. We'll tell you what's involved after the survey.

Why is there mould in my flat when there's no leak?

Most mould in flats is condensation: moisture from cooking, showers and drying clothes settling on cold walls. Better extraction and ventilation usually fixes it.

Is the survey really free?

Yes, for homeowners and landlords. Only the Home Buyer Quote, the Full Damp & Timber Report and the Ventilation Inspection & Report are paid.

How do I book?

Call 01782 901101 or use our contact page.

Book a free damp survey in Greater Manchester

If damp, mould or condensation is a problem in your home anywhere in Greater Manchester, call Weather Wise Solutions on 01782 901101 or get in touch through our contact page, and we'll find out why it's happening.