Much damp proofing is unnecessary. The defect or defects causing the damp haven't been diagnosed correctly. If they are diagnosed and the correct repairs are carried out the 'damp' will dry out.

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If the 'damp surveyor' is employed by the damp proofing company he will want to sell you their services.  It's the only way the 'free'  survey can be paid for!

 

Unless the cause is correctly diagnosed and the correct repairs are undertaken the damp will simply come back.

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Sealing the moisture in the wall will most probably cause further damage.

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A protimeter (otherwise known as a damp meter) will not tell you whether you have damp nor will it diagnose rising damp or penetrating damp. It is simply a tool to indicate that the circuit is closed and that there are conditions to generate an electrical reading.  Such readings can be generated by many conditions or defects. 

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The Building Research Establishment guide to diagnosing damp, moisture and mould then how to treat it is 270 pages long.

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English Heritage, The Property Care Association and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have published a joint statement on the investigation of moisture in buildings.

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The damp surveyor should be fully familiar with such guides when investigating. 

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