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
Comprehensive damp and timber surveys carried out by qualified PCA-accredited surveyors across Sussex.
Rising Damp Treatment
Specialist rising damp treatment including chemical DPC injection, replastering, and long-term guarantees.
Penetrating Damp Repairs
Diagnosis and repair of penetrating damp caused by defective rainwater goods, failed pointing, and cracked render.
Condensation & Mould Solutions
Effective condensation control and mould remediation through ventilation, insulation, and lifestyle advice.
Timber Treatment
Woodworm eradication, dry rot repair, and wet rot treatment by qualified timber preservation specialists.
Basement Waterproofing
Tanking, cavity drain membranes, and sump pump systems to create dry, usable basement and cellar spaces.
Wall Insulation
Internal and external wall insulation to reduce heat loss, eliminate cold bridging, and prevent condensation.
Rendering
Lime rendering, cement rendering, and silicone render systems to protect and transform external walls.