🔧 Talking to Clients: Damp and Condensation – B1/B2

English for Plumbers | Intermediate to Upper Intermediate

Vocabulary

Study these words before doing the exercises.

damp
unwanted moisture that has entered or built up inside a wall, floor or ceiling
"There is a damp patch on the bathroom wall that keeps coming back."
condensation
water that forms on cold surfaces when warm moist air cools down
"The black marks on the ceiling are caused by condensation, not a leak."
moisture
water in small amounts, often invisible, present in the air or inside materials
"The moisture reading on this wall is above acceptable levels."
mould
a black or green fungal growth that appears on walls and ceilings in damp conditions
"If the mould keeps returning, there is an ongoing moisture problem."
ventilation
the movement of fresh air through a space to reduce moisture and prevent condensation
"Poor ventilation in the bathroom is the most likely cause."
penetrating damp
damp that enters through an external wall, roof or window from outside
"Penetrating damp usually leaves a horizontal or irregular stain on the wall."
rising damp
damp that travels upward through a wall from the ground
"Rising damp typically affects the lower half of a wall and leaves a tide mark."
membrane
a waterproof layer built into a wall or floor to prevent moisture passing through
"The damp proof membrane under the floor may have failed."
source
the original point where the damp or water is coming from
"We need to identify the source before we can recommend a remedy."
survey
a detailed inspection carried out to assess the extent and cause of a problem
"I would recommend a full damp survey before any remedial work begins."
remedial
describes work carried out to correct or fix an existing problem
"The remedial work will take two days once we identify the cause."
extract
to remove moisture or air from a room using a fan or ventilation system
"Fit an extractor fan to extract the moisture after showering."
humidity
the level of moisture in the air, measured as a percentage
"High humidity in the bathroom is causing the condensation on the mirror."
identify
to find and name the cause or source of a problem
"I need to identify the source of the moisture before I can quote."
structural
relating to the building itself — its walls, floors, roof or foundations
"If the cause is structural, you will need a builder as well as a plumber."

Exercise 1 – True or False?

Read each sentence. Is it true or false?

Exercise 2 – Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Exercise 3 – Matching

Match each word (1–8) with the correct description (A–H).

Exercise 4 – Gap Fill

Type the correct word in each gap. The word is given in brackets.

Exercise 5 – Word Order

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.

Exercise 6 – Word Sort

Click a word to place it in the correct category.

💧 Types of Damp

🔍 Investigation and Remedy

Exercise 7 – Complete the Conversation

Choose the correct word to complete the conversation.

Exercise 8 – Listening

Listen to the conversation, then answer the questions.

🎧 Listen to the conversation

Press Play to listen.
Client: I have noticed a damp patch on the bathroom wall. It keeps coming back even after I repaint.

Plumber: How long has this been happening, and is the patch getting larger?

Client: About six months. And yes, it is spreading. There is mould growing on the ceiling too.

Plumber: That suggests an ongoing moisture problem. It could be condensation, a plumbing leak, or penetrating damp from outside.

Client: How do you tell the difference?

Plumber: I use a moisture meter to measure the humidity levels in the wall and check the pattern of the staining.

Plumber: I would recommend a full survey first so we know exactly what we are dealing with.

Client: And if it turns out to be a structural issue with the building, what happens then?

Plumber: In that case you would need a builder involved as well. But let me carry out the survey first before we make any decisions.

Part A – Comprehension Questions

Listen and choose the correct answer.

Part B – Listen and Fill the Gap

Each sentence is from the conversation. One word is missing. Listen and type it.

🏆 Your Scores

ExerciseScoreOut of
1 – True / False–8
2 – Multiple Choice–8
3 – Matching–8
4 – Gap Fill–8
5 – Word Order–8
6 – Word Sort–8
7 – Conversation–8
8a – Listening: Comprehension–5
8b – Listening: Gap Fill–5
Total–66

Complete all exercises to see your total score.