I'm Justin, an independent damp specialist based at Hampton Court. I find out what is actually wrong before anyone spends money fixing it.
Start here
Which one have you got?
Streaming windows, black spots in corners and behind furniture. Worse in winter.
A defined patch that darkens after heavy rain. Usually a gutter, crack or flashing.
Ground floor only, rarely higher than a metre, often with a tide mark.
Worth knowing
Most people who call me expecting rising damp have condensation — and it costs far less to fix.
3%of English homes have serious condensation — more than rising damp (2%)English Housing Survey 2023–24
Why this matters
And a misdiagnosis is expensive.
A patch on the wall gets called rising damp. A damp proof course gets quoted. Thousands of pounds change hands. Eighteen months later the patch is back, because the actual problem was a cracked gutter, a bridged air brick, or a bathroom with nowhere for the steam to go.
I became a damp specialist because of that question — is it damp, or is it condensation? It is the most interesting problem in the trade and the one most often got wrong.
So I diagnose first. Sometimes that means telling you the job is far smaller than the last person said. That is not bad for business. That is the business.
Justin Worden
Damp specialist · Hampton Court
“If you are looking for a straightforward honest opinion, please get in touch.”
Typically every job is carried out by Justin personally — which is why the dates given are the dates kept.
What I fix
Eleven specialisms, one specialist. Every job starts with working out which of these you actually need — and it is frequently not the one you were expecting.
Is it actually damp — or is it condensation?
The question that decides everything. Most damp is misdiagnosed, and the wrong diagnosis means paying for a treatment that was never going to work. I measure, inspect and trace the moisture back to its actual source before recommending a single thing.
A written report you can act on — or hand to a solicitor.
A full structural moisture survey with findings, cause, photographs and a fixed-price remedy. Suitable for pre-purchase, insurance and mortgage retention cases.
The most common cause of 'damp' — and the most misdiagnosed.
Ventilation assessment and installation, PIV and extract systems, thermal bridging advice. Frequently the real answer when someone has been quoted thousands for a damp proof course they do not need.
Genuinely rising damp is rare. When it is real, I treat it properly.
Water getting in from outside. Usually a small fault, badly hidden.
Remove the mould, then remove the reason it grew.
Basements, cellars and below-ground rooms kept dry.
Serpula lacrymans. The one you cannot afford to leave.
Active infestation, or old holes from decades ago?
Protecting joists, lintels and structural timber from decay.
Water coming in now. Call, don't fill in a form.
Rapid attendance for active water ingress, flood aftermath and sudden damp emergencies where waiting for a scheduled survey is not an option.
Call rather than fill in a form →
Independently verified
Every review below is published on Checkatrade, where Justdamp has been a vetted member since 2017 and has passed 12 separate identity, financial and qualification checks.
Based on reviews from the past 12 months.
10/10 – Highly Recommended
“Justin was fantastic from start to finish. On his first visit he was extremely knowledgeable, took the time to explain everything clearly, examined the issues properly and came up with a sensible plan that wouldn't cost the earth. On the day of the job he worked quickly, was very clean and organised, and completed everything exactly as promised.”
Excellent service
“Justin was very knowledgeable and helpful. He was realistic in his approach and reduced my panic very well! Thank you Justin for solving my woodworm issue.”
Highly recommend
“Justin investigated what was thought maybe a damp issue. Explained everything clearly. Agreed date to do the works. Arrived on time. Also very kindly resolved a separate issue of water coming through a cill whilst waiting for new windows. Justin is friendly, knowledgeable, takes pride in his work, and very tidy.”
Helping diagnose mould build up
“Justin installed a vent to help with condensation build up in one of rooms. He was very insightful, gave good general advice and carried out the work swiftly and at a reasonable price. Recommended for any mould, condensation problems you may have.”
Excellent Damp specialist
“Justin visited the house to give advice about a damp patch on our floor. He was punctual, easy to communicate with and helpful and clear in his advice. Highly recommend.”
Damp patch
“Justin was very helpful and recommended a cost effective solution.”
How it works
You are not committing to anything by getting in touch. Plenty of conversations end with me telling someone they do not need me.
A photo and a postcode is enough to start. I'll tell you honestly whether it sounds like something that needs a visit, or something you can sort yourself.
I measure, inspect and trace the moisture to its source. From the chimney down to the damp proof course. You get a straight answer, not a sales pitch.
One number, agreed before anything starts. No day rates, no 'while we were in there'. If the job is smaller than you feared, the price reflects that.
Carried out by me personally. Clean, tidy, on the agreed date. Most work carries a written 10-year guarantee, insurance-backed if you need it.
A 10-year written guarantee
The majority of work is guaranteed for 10 years from completion, given in writing and backed by insurance if you need it. Justdamp is also covered by the Checkatrade £1,000 guarantee.
Book a survey
Four quick questions — about ninety seconds. You will get a straight answer on whether this needs a visit at all.
Step 1 of 4
Straight answers
If yours is not here, ask it directly. A question costs nothing and I would rather you understood the problem than felt rushed into fixing it.
Condensation typically shows on cold surfaces, in corners, behind furniture and around windows, and is often worse in winter and in bathrooms and kitchens. True rising damp is limited to ground floor walls, rarely rises above about a metre, and usually leaves a tide mark. Penetrating damp appears as a defined patch that worsens after rain. That said — these overlap constantly, and guessing from a description is how people end up paying for the wrong treatment. Send me a photo and I'll give you an honest read.
