Damp proofing in Kemptown

Kemptown is some of Brighton’s grandest period housing: Regency and Georgian seafront terraces, the listed sweep of Sussex Square and Lewes Crescent, and the many period houses now divided into flats. Beautiful buildings, but ones built two centuries ago with solid walls and no modern damp-proofing, so damp comes with the territory.

The damp Kemptown buildings are prone to

In these old solid-wall properties, rising damp is common where the original damp-proof course has long since failed, showing as tide marks and salt damage low on ground-floor walls. The exposed clifftop and seafront setting also drives penetrating damp through render and brickwork that take the full force of coastal weather.

Kemptown’s basements and lower-ground rooms are a particular feature. Below pavement level, these rely on proper waterproofing, and where the original tanking has failed they need a modern system to stay dry and usable.

Working with listed and period homes

Much of Kemptown is listed or in a conservation area, so the work has to respect the building. We favour breathable, period-appropriate treatments over aggressive sealing, which suits old lime-based construction and avoids pushing moisture somewhere else.

Flats and conversions

In converted period flats, condensation and mould often get mistaken for structural damp. Where it’s really a ventilation issue, we’ll tell you, and fix that instead of selling unnecessary damp-proofing.

Start with an honest damp survey. Book yours free and we’ll diagnose it properly.