Services
Our expert solutions ensure long-lasting protection and a healthy environment for your home or business.
Structural Waterproofing
Structures below ground level are subject to lateral moisture from the surrounding ground and BS8102:2022 advises the consideration that water to the full height of the retained ground will occur at some time during the structure’s life. Therefore below ground spaces often requires waterproofing to some degree, depending on the use of the space.
Once we know the intended use to which the room will be put, we can design a system to meet that requirement. This may be a cavity drain membrane system, which will provide dry surfaces and a dry environment. Alternatively, the room may be more suited to a cementitious tanking systems to keep out water and provide dry surfaces. Full consideration is given to guidance, design and good practice as described in BS8102:2022, Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground. In either case a dry habitable/usable room will be the result.
Damp Treatments
A porous material always contain a certain level of moisture. The level of moisture is dependent on the nature of the material and on the humidity of the surrounding air. The acceptable levels of moisture do little harm to the materials and such moisture is not normally regarded as a damp problem.
When a building displays signs of damp that are perceptible to sight or touch such as discolouration, staining of materials, mould or other visible signs, it is a confirmation that there is damp present beyond the acceptable levels and further investigation should be carried out to determine the source.
​
CHEMICAL DAMP PROOFING
Rising damp is the result of the vertical rise of moisture through walls when there is no damp-proof course present or the old one has broken down. Over many years the rising water causes decorative spoiling and frequently floor and skirting timbers to rot. Furthermore, hygroscopic salts within the rising ground water also contaminate the wall/finishes. These alone can and do cause discolouration and persistent dampness due to their ability to absorb moisture from the air. Initially we determine that the dampness is in fact due to rising damp and not some other source. Where appropriate we install a chemical damp-proof course in accordance with good practice as described in BS 6576:2005. We will also remove the old salt contaminated plasterwork and replace with a salt retardant mix thereby ensuring a dry, non-spoiling decorative surface. However, where historic buildings are concerned other approaches may be necessary in order to ensure sympathy with the existing materials and structure.
CONDENSATION
Condensation is the result of warm moisture laden air coming into contact with cold surfaces. Where severe, this results in water runs, unsightly black mould growth and if timber is involved it can also cause fungal decay. Condensation is almost always a cold season problem, the 'season' usually being between October and April. Unfortunately, condensation is often misdiagnosed as rising damp. The origin of the water is inevitably 'life-style', that is our daily moisture production from cooking, washing, even breathing and sweating. Sometimes the structure of the property may make it more vulnerable to long term condensation problems; even modernisation such as the introduction of double glazing and insulation can tip the balance in favour of condensation to other parts of the property.
Initially we ensure that the dampness problem is due to condensation and not some other source. We primarily offer advice on controlling water production and especially ventilation and heating, the primary measures to control condensation; this is the most cost effective initial approach. Should the problem be more severe or persistent then we can evaluate the introduction of active control measures such as forced ventilation, insulation, etc.
Should severe mould growth persist (it shouldn't if the condensation and maintenance of high humidity are alleviated) then we may have to consider the use of 'anti-mould' measures, for example the use of specialist finishes. However, above all the initial procedures must be first implemented to save unnecessary costs to the client.
Wood Preservation
WOODBOORING INSECTS
'Woodworm' is the general term used to described woodbooring insects, although there are several different of these insects that affects buildings.
Firstly, it has to be established if the attack is active, dead or the result of one of the innocuous wood boring insects that doesn't require treatment. It is also necessary to ensure that any affected timbers are structurally sound. If an active infestation is confirmed, the most appropriate low risk preservative should be used to control and eradicate the infestation, retaining as much of the original timber as possible. Our common sense approach will minimise disruption to the occupants thereby ensuring quick re-occupancy and a safe, comfortable environment.
ROT
All wood rotting fungi are the result of timbers being kept in contact with persistent dampness. Dry rot is potentially the most serious, having the ability to grow and spread through materials from which it gains no nutritional value such as brick, soil and plasters. The conditions it requires tend to make it 'secretive', and so damage is frequently quite advanced by the time it is discovered. Wet rot, like dry rot also require wood to be damp. However, in general terms they do not have the ability to spread via damp masonry, plaster, etc. like dry rot and they tend to be very much more restricted to the timber. Sometimes they are difficult to detect, as decay can be internal.
The treatment is subject to the identification of the type of rot present. Dry rot treatment is far more invasive than treatment of wet rot, as it also affects the surrounding masonry.