DIAGNOSIS BEFORE PRESCRIPTION
Start with what the building is telling us.
Thermal improvement is specified only after moisture risk is understood. Existing construction, ventilation, moisture and thermal bridges all influence comfort and fabric performance; adding insulation before resolving wet fabric can create or worsen defects.
What the investigation considers
We consider the history of the issue, location and pattern of symptoms, construction, internal and external condition, relevant moisture or temperature evidence and the routes by which water or heat could be moving through the building.
Possible outcomes, not first screen packages
Once moisture risk is understood, possible outcomes can include targeted fabric repair, ventilation changes, secondary glazing, internal wall insulation or external wall insulation where appropriate. These are possible conclusions of the investigation, not predetermined packages. Damp investigation and drying take priority where the building is wet.
CONNECTED DELIVERY
Evidence should lead to action.
Where the problem crosses investigation, source repair, drying and making good, Sterling’s operating model is designed to keep those stages connected rather than leave the client managing unrelated hand offs.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Diagnosed, explained, sorted.
“We’d had a damp patch by the chimney for ages and couldn’t work out where it was coming from. Sterling found the problem and sorted it. We waited for the wall to dry before redecorating and it’s been fine since.”
Margaret · Horsforth“Our boiler kept losing pressure and I was topping it up every few days. They eventually traced it to a leak under the kitchen floor. It’s been sorted now and the pressure hasn’t dropped since.”
Ben · Wakefield“We had a tenant reporting damp and the landlord understandably wanted to know what was actually causing it before approving anything. The report made that clear and gave us something we could send straight over to him.”
Aisha · Letting agent, Leeds“We’d already paid someone to deal with mould once and it came back. Sterling spent more time working out why it was happening rather than just treating it again. So far it’s stayed away.”
Graham · Harrogate“A damp reading came up during the house purchase and made us nervous. We got Sterling to have another look before exchange. They explained what they thought was actually happening and what we needed to keep an eye on. Really helpful when you’re buying an older house.”
Sophie and Dan · York“We had a fairly bad water leak over a weekend. Sterling dealt with the water, drying and the follow on work, which made life easier because I wasn’t trying to coordinate several different contractors.”
Ian · Facilities manager, Bradford“The shower leak had already been repaired but the ceiling and surrounding area were still wet. They checked it and explained that it needed time to properly dry before we decorated. Glad we waited because it’s been fine since.”
Clare · Pudsey“I honestly didn’t know whether the damp was serious or not. Everything was explained without loads of jargon and I came away knowing what needed doing and what didn’t. There wasn’t any hard sell either.”
Owen · First time buyer, Huddersfield“From a management point of view the biggest help was having one company deal with the issue rather than arranging separate people for each stage. The information we got back was straightforward enough to send on to the owner.”
Denise · Property manager, North Yorkshire“Every winter we’d get mould behind the wardrobe on an outside wall. We’d cleaned it, painted it and tried all sorts. They looked at the ventilation and how cold that wall was instead. It’s made a noticeable difference.”
Paul · Morley“We’d had a damp patch by the chimney for ages and couldn’t work out where it was coming from. Sterling found the problem and sorted it. We waited for the wall to dry before redecorating and it’s been fine since.”
Margaret · Horsforth“Our boiler kept losing pressure and I was topping it up every few days. They eventually traced it to a leak under the kitchen floor. It’s been sorted now and the pressure hasn’t dropped since.”
Ben · Wakefield“We had a tenant reporting damp and the landlord understandably wanted to know what was actually causing it before approving anything. The report made that clear and gave us something we could send straight over to him.”
Aisha · Letting agent, Leeds“We’d already paid someone to deal with mould once and it came back. Sterling spent more time working out why it was happening rather than just treating it again. So far it’s stayed away.”
Graham · Harrogate“A damp reading came up during the house purchase and made us nervous. We got Sterling to have another look before exchange. They explained what they thought was actually happening and what we needed to keep an eye on. Really helpful when you’re buying an older house.”
Sophie and Dan · York“We had a fairly bad water leak over a weekend. Sterling dealt with the water, drying and the follow on work, which made life easier because I wasn’t trying to coordinate several different contractors.”
Ian · Facilities manager, Bradford“The shower leak had already been repaired but the ceiling and surrounding area were still wet. They checked it and explained that it needed time to properly dry before we decorated. Glad we waited because it’s been fine since.”
Clare · Pudsey“I honestly didn’t know whether the damp was serious or not. Everything was explained without loads of jargon and I came away knowing what needed doing and what didn’t. There wasn’t any hard sell either.”
Owen · First time buyer, Huddersfield“From a management point of view the biggest help was having one company deal with the issue rather than arranging separate people for each stage. The information we got back was straightforward enough to send on to the owner.”
Denise · Property manager, North Yorkshire“Every winter we’d get mould behind the wardrobe on an outside wall. We’d cleaned it, painted it and tried all sorts. They looked at the ventilation and how cold that wall was instead. It’s made a noticeable difference.”
Paul · MorleyCOMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about this service
What is the first step?
Start with the symptoms and the building history. Sterling will use the available evidence to establish the most appropriate next step.
Do you provide a written record?
Where the instruction requires it, findings can be documented with relevant observations, photographs, measurements and recommended next actions.
Can you coordinate follow on work?
Where follow on work falls within the Sterling service pathway, the aim is to keep investigation, repair, drying and reinstatement connected.
Start with the building problem.
Tell Sterling what you can see, when it started and whether water is active now. We can establish the most appropriate investigation or response pathway.
Book / report an issueCall 07415 909211