Properties in Hanover
Hanover is one of Brighton's most distinctive neighbourhoods — a tightly packed hillside grid of Victorian terraces built in the 1850s-1880s, climbing steeply from Elm Grove up to Queens Park Road. The houses are predominantly two-storey, solid-wall brick terraces with slate roofs, timber floors, and original features. Most were built without a damp-proof course, or with a simple slate DPC that has since cracked or been bridged by later alterations.
The steep topography of Hanover creates unique challenges. Rainwater runs downhill, pooling against the rear walls of lower properties. Many houses have rear additions and extensions built into the hillside with retaining walls in direct contact with earth — a classic recipe for penetrating damp.
Common Damp Issues in Hanover
Rising damp is the most prevalent issue in Hanover, with the typical signs: damp staining and tide marks on ground-floor walls, blown plaster, and salt deposits. The solid-wall construction means there is no cavity to provide a break between the wet external masonry and the internal finishes.
Condensation and mould are also extremely common, particularly in properties that have been converted into flats or shared houses (HMOs are prevalent in Hanover due to its popularity with students and young professionals). Poor ventilation, single glazing, and solid walls with low thermal mass create conditions where warm moist air condenses on cold surfaces, leading to persistent black mould on walls, ceilings, and around windows.
We also treat a lot of timber decay in Hanover — sub-floor timbers sitting on damp oversite, rotting skirting boards, and window frames exposed to the elements on the exposed west-facing elevations.
Our Experience in Hanover
Hanover sits on a steep hill between Elm Grove and Queens Park, known locally for its colourful painted houses and the annual Hanover Day street party. The area's tight-knit grid of terraces — Southover Street, Washington Street, Lincoln Street — are mostly owner-occupied or rented, and damp is a perennial issue given the age and construction of the housing stock. We've worked on streets throughout Hanover and understand how the hillside topography, combined with Brighton's chalk subsoil and coastal climate, contributes to the damp problems homeowners face.
Our Services in Hanover
We provide the full range of damp proofing and timber preservation services in Hanover and the surrounding area.
Damp Surveys
Professional damp surveys in Brighton, Hove & Sussex by PCA-accredited surveyors. Moisture mapping, thermal imaging & detailed reports from £150.
Rising Damp Treatment
Specialist rising damp treatment in Brighton & Sussex. Chemical DPC injection, salt-resistant replastering & 20-year guarantee.
Penetrating Damp Repairs
Expert penetrating damp repairs in Brighton & Sussex. We fix defective gutters, failed pointing & cracked render to stop water ingress for good.
Condensation & Mould Solutions
Condensation control & black mould removal in Brighton & Sussex. Ventilation upgrades, insulation improvements & expert diagnosis.
Timber Treatment
Woodworm, dry rot & wet rot treatment in Brighton & Sussex. BWPDA-qualified timber preservation specialists with 20-year guarantee.
Basement Waterproofing
Basement waterproofing in Brighton & Sussex. Tanking, cavity drain membranes & sump pump systems to create dry, usable spaces.
Wall Insulation
Wall insulation in Brighton & Sussex. Internal & external insulation to reduce heat loss, eliminate cold bridging & prevent condensation.
Rendering
Rendering services in Brighton & Sussex. Lime, cement & silicone render systems to protect and transform external walls.