Damp in the house: diagnosis comes first
Damp can have four causes: rising damp, water ingress, condensation or a leak. The works needed are completely different depending on the origin: treating condensation with a damp-proof injection costs thousands of euros and solves nothing. Having an independent diagnosis before any treatment means not paying for the wrong one.
Cassini Expertise, an independent building expert (Antibes, working in 06, 83, 13 and 40), identifies the cause through on-site measurements and writes a written report setting out the regime that applies. Request a diagnosis.
The four causes, and how to tell them apart
- Rising damp: dampness at the foot of walls, up to one metre, saltpetre, plaster coming away. The marker: soluble salts in the wall.
- Water ingress: stains that follow rain, high up or around an opening – roof, façade, terrace.
- Condensation: mould in corners, on thermal bridges, windows streaming in the morning. Common after insulation without suitable ventilation.
- Leak: localised, worsening over time, linked to a specific pipe or network.
A moisture meter alone is not enough to reach a conclusion: a proper diagnosis combines the moisture profile, salts, ventilation and history – here is how an expert tells the three causes apart.
The protocol behind a diagnosis that holds up
Measurements on day 1, repeat measurements at 30 and 60 days, conclusions at 90: the 30-60-90 protocol avoids guesswork. The written report sets out the cause, the regime that applies (ten-year builder’s warranty (garantie décennale), insurance, co-ownership (condominium) service charges) and the works that are actually necessary – no more, no less.
Damp diagnosis in your area
The expert works in the Alpes-Maritimes, the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône:
- Damp expert in Antibes
- Damp expert in Cannes
- Damp expert in Marseille
- Damp expert in the Var
- Damp expert in Aix-en-Provence
- Damp expert in Arles
- Damp expert in Allauch
- Damp expert in Alleins
- Damp expert in Châteauneuf-Grasse
- 2026 weather archive: rainfall month by month, compared with the last 35 years
And the complete guide to damp and rising damp in the 06, 83 and 13 departments to go further.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether it is rising damp or water ingress?
Rising damp: dampness at the foot of walls, saltpetre, plaster coming away. Water ingress: stains after rain, around a window or the roof. Condensation: mould in corners, windows streaming. A diagnosis by an independent expert confirms the cause.
How much does a damp diagnosis cost?
Free quote, with no obligation. The fee depends on the floor area, the number of rooms affected and the measurements required.
📅 Last updated 23/10/2026 - Cassini Expertise, independent building expert – departments 06, 83 and 13.