Upskilling with damp proof training courses

Damp is a problem that can be severely damaging to UK homes. Training as a damp proofer is therefore a great way to upskill and offer your customers another vital service.

Why train as a damp proofer?

In the UK there are thousands of properties that suffer with damp problems. This fact alone, is a good enough reason to retrain as a damp proofer.

Damp proofers are constantly in high demand. From renovating period properties to installing damp prevention measures in new build developments, damp proofing is a valuable skill for anyone working in the construction industry.

Whether you work mainly in the domestic sector or predominantly in the commercial arena, damp proofing is a great skill to be able to offer your customers.

In this blog we'll look at what trades can upskill as damp proofing experts, what qualifications are needed to install damp proofing and what damp proof training courses are available.

What trades can upskill for damp proofing work?

As mentioned above, there are two areas of damp proofing: remedial work and damp prevention measures.

Many trades will have come across damp in their working lives. For example:

• When working on property renovations

• Damp is often discovered when old plaster is removed

• Damp can be found when old fixtures and fittings are disassembled

• In locations or areas with a high water table

• Places prone to flooding

• Homes nearer the sea or rivers

Damp is particularly prevalent in Victorian buildings and even older properties when damp proofing measures were not as thorough as they are today.

Therefore, if you discover damp during a renovation project, it would be great if you could resolve the situation without calling in a specialist.

Some trades that could really benefit from upskilling as a damp proofer include:

• Plasterers

• Builders

• Electricians

• Plumbers

• Kitchen and bathroom fitters

• Tilers

• Painter and decorators

• Property developers

This list is not exhaustive and upskilling as a damp proofing expert can be beneficial to almost any tradesperson.

Essential damp proofing qualifications and certification

So, we now know that training as a damp proofer is a great way to upskill and win more business. No let’s find out what qualifications are needed to be a damp proofer.

The two most common and widely recognised qualifications for a damp proofer are:

• NVQ Level 2 in Insulation, Building Treatments, or Damp Proofing

• Specialist apprenticeship focussing on damp proofing

When you successfully complete either of these courses you will then be able to offer your customers damp proofing assistance.

You may even want to start offering damp proofing as one of your main services. This could be in both remedial work and damp prevention measures.

Damp proofing training courses

Now that you know what qualifications are needed to become a damp proofer, you’ll want to know what course are available and where you can study.

One of the most reputable and well-known organisations that provide damp proof course are the Property Care Association (PCA).

The PCA offer a wide variety of specialist damp proofing courses that provide delegates with industry recognised accreditation upon completion.

From CSCS cards to apprenticeships and NVQs, completing a PCA damp proofing course is a great way to upskill and boost your business.

How to get a CSCS card

If you’ve been working in construction for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of CSCS cards. Enhancing your employability in the industry, having a CSCS card will enable you to work directly on construction sites. This makes it important to know how to get a CSCS card. Never heard of CSCS

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Give your trade business a boost as a Checkatrade approved damp proofer

In 2024 alone, there were more than 407,000 searches of the Checkatrade website for damp proofing work*.

This is a huge number of potential customers for your trade business looking for specialist damp proofers.

If you add damp proofing as one of your skills on your Checkatrade profile, any searches for damp proofing in your local area will take visitors to your dedicated profile page.

Your unique business profile can show off:

• Your contact details

• Your accreditations

• Recent reviews

• Photos of your work (before/after shots are always good!)

• Your social media

• Description of your business

• Your services

This means that you will then get the opportunity to quote for damp proofing work via high quality leads that are looking for your services.

Your Checkatrade profile can also be directly linked to your own business website and social media profiles.

Why not join Checkatrade today?

As you’ve just seen, becoming an approved Checkatrade member is a great way to get your business more exposure.

What you include in your Checkatrade profile can also have a huge impact on the amount of leads you get.

Some other key reasons to come on board include:

• Exclusive offers and discounts

• Dedicated trades app - for job management and quoting/invoicing

• Savings on your public liability insurance

• Support and guidance from membership advice

• Jobs guaranteed up to £1,000 if booked through us (T&Cs apply)

Make sure that these platforms all highlight your latest damp proofing skills to make sure that you are doing all you can to win new business.

* Internal search data collected from users of the Checkatrade.com website in 2024