Damp diagnosis
Why is my Victorian house damp?
Separate leaks, rain penetration, condensation, bridging and ground moisture before specifying work.
Read the guide
Lime Plastering & Restoration Specialists
Your Victorian home was built to breathe
We restore Victorian homes inside and out—with Breathaplasta lime plaster, breathable insulation and careful repairs to period exterior details.
Why is your Victorian home damp?
Damp in a Victorian property can come from rainwater, plumbing, condensation, ground moisture or several causes at once. The right repair begins with diagnosis and a clear drying route.
Cement & Gypsum Plaster
Dense cement and some gypsum systems can be incompatible with older solid walls, especially where they restrict drying or are harder than the masonry behind them.
Cold, Damp Walls
Solid Victorian walls have no insulation cavity. In winter, they lose heat rapidly and their cold internal surfaces cause condensation: the perfect conditions for black mould, peeling wallpaper, and that familiar musty smell.
Misdiagnosed Damp
A single meter reading does not identify the moisture source. The pattern, weather, indoor humidity, defects, ground levels and previous materials all need to be considered.
Read our damp diagnosis guideSolid Wall Construction
Victorian homes were built with solid walls designed to absorb a small amount of moisture and let it evaporate. Modern materials break this cycle, turning the walls into a reservoir for damp.
Lime lets your walls breathe again
We use Breathaplasta, a modern hemp lime plaster made by Adaptavate: traditional breathability, fast setting times, and natural moisture regulation. No cement, no gypsum, no plastics.
Cement & Gypsum
- Traps moisture inside the wall
- Creates conditions for mould growth
- Too rigid, so it cracks as old buildings move
- Hides and accelerates decay in the masonry
- Makes rooms feel cold and damp
Lime Plaster
- Allows moisture to evaporate naturally
- Naturally alkaline, so it resists mould growth
- Flexible, moving with the building
- Sets in around two hours per coat, faster than traditional lime
- Regulates humidity for a warmer, healthier home
Services for period and listed properties
From resolving damp and restoring exterior details to supporting listed building consent, every project starts with understanding the property and specifying the right approach.
Internal Lime Plastering
Removal of failed gypsum or cement plaster, substrate preparation, and application of Breathaplasta hemp lime plaster. It sets in around two hours per coat, regulates moisture naturally, and provides a beautiful, breathable finish that keeps walls dry.
Breathable Wall Insulation
Internal wall insulation using wood fibre boards finished with Breathaplasta, a system specifically designed for solid-walled homes. Wood fibre works with your walls rather than against them, improving warmth and reducing energy bills without trapping moisture.
Damp Remediation
A thorough assessment of the causes of damp in your property, followed by a targeted lime-based remediation strategy using the Breathaplasta system. No unnecessary chemicals, injected damp-proof courses, or invasive treatments.
Heritage Statements & Listed Buildings
Heritage statements and statements of significance for listed building consent and planning, prepared whether or not we carry out the works. Plus sympathetic lime works for period and listed properties.
Read about heritage statementsPeriod exterior restoration
Repair and reinstatement of window reveals, door and window headers, cornices, string courses and decorative mouldings using compatible lime mortars and traditional profiles. We preserve the character of the building while helping its external fabric shed moisture and dry naturally.
Read about stucco repair in LondonGuides for Victorian and solid-wall homes
Practical, evidence-based explanations to help you understand the building before choosing a repair.
Material choice
Lime plaster vs gypsum and cement
Compare permeability, flexibility, drying behaviour, finish and suitability for traditional walls.
Compare the systemsSolid-wall retrofit
Breathable internal wall insulation
Understand moisture risk, wood fibre, lime finishes and the junctions that determine performance.
Read the guideFrom survey to dry walls
We keep things straightforward. Here's what to expect when you work with us.
Get in Touch
Tell us about the damp issues in your home. We'll have a chat, ask the right questions, and arrange a convenient time to visit.
Detailed Quote
We visit your property, diagnose the cause of damp, and provide a clear, written quote with no hidden costs, specifying the right Breathaplasta system for your walls.
Preparation
We carefully remove failed plaster, prepare the substrate, and ensure everything is ready for lime application.
Lime Application
Breathaplasta is applied by hand in multiple coats, with each coat setting in around two hours. That is significantly faster than traditional lime, so there is less disruption to your home.
Serving London, Kent and Essex
We work across London, from Kensington and Chelsea to Clapham, Brixton, Dulwich, Greenwich and Lewisham, out to Bromley, Sidcup and Sevenoaks in Kent, and into Essex, wherever period properties need breathing again.
Frequently asked questions
In the vast majority of Victorian homes, the answer is no. True rising damp is extremely rare. What most homeowners experience is moisture trapped in the walls by impermeable modern materials: cement renders, gypsum plaster, and vinyl paints. Remove these and allow the walls to breathe with lime, and the damp typically resolves itself.
Breathaplasta sets in around two hours per coat, which is significantly faster than traditional lime plaster. A typical room takes around one to two days depending on the number of coats required and the condition of the substrate. This faster setting time means less disruption to your home while still delivering all the breathability and moisture-regulating benefits of a lime-based system.
Removing existing plaster is the dustiest part, and we take care to sheet up and contain this. The lime application itself is a traditional wet trade but it's far less disruptive than many people expect. We work room by room where possible and always leave the workspace clean at the end of each day.
Costs depend on the scope of work: the area to be plastered, the condition of the walls, and whether insulation is being installed. Breathaplasta costs more than gypsum but delivers a permanent solution to damp and moisture problems rather than a temporary cover-up. We provide free, no-obligation quotes so you can make an informed decision.
Yes, but it's important to use breathable paints: lime wash, clay paint, or silicate mineral paint. Standard vinyl emulsion will seal the surface and reintroduce the same moisture-trapping problem. We'll advise on the best finishes for your walls.
Breathaplasta is a modern hemp lime plaster made by Adaptavate. It combines natural hydraulic lime with hemp fibre to create a breathable plaster that actively regulates moisture, provides thermal and acoustic insulation, and resists mould growth. Unlike traditional lime plaster, it sets in around two hours per coat, making it far quicker to apply. It contains no Portland cement, no gypsum, and no plastics.
Wood fibre boards are a natural, breathable insulation material that can be fixed to the internal face of solid walls. Unlike rigid foam insulation, wood fibre allows moisture to pass through, making it ideal for Victorian homes. When finished with Breathaplasta, the system improves thermal performance and reduces energy bills without creating the trapped-moisture problems that come with non-breathable insulation methods.
We cover south and east London, including Clapham, Brixton, Dulwich, Herne Hill, Greenwich, Blackheath, Lewisham, Bromley and Beckenham, along with Sidcup and Sevenoaks in Kent, and into Essex. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, get in touch and we'll let you know.
Let's talk about your damp walls
Tell us about the issues in your home and we'll explain how Breathaplasta lime plaster can fix them. No hard sell, just honest advice.
Get a Quote