First things first – take a peek at the airbricks under the floor. If they’re blocked, buried or damaged, the air can’t circulate properly. Poor airflow is one of the biggest causes of damp problems under wooden floors, so keeping those airbricks clear really is step one. No matter how dry it looks (or you think it is) always test it with a moisture meter to be sure. Even if the floor is only a little damp it will cause problems with finishes drying etc and the contractor will be held responsible!

Grab a moisture meter and keep an eye out for two very different types of damp: • Rising moisture (the nasty one) – usually caused by a missing or failed damp proof membrane (DPM) under the slab. • Latent moisture (usually less scary) – moisture trapped in the concrete itself, often in newly poured slabs or after flooding / large spillages. If the readings don’t make much sense, give us a shout – we’re always happy to help interpret the results. To treat damp concrete, you’ll normally apply a liquid, paint-on DPM. Just remember: it works up to a point – it can’t fight a tidal wave of moisture forever.