We offer a wide variety of services. The services we offer are: -
SURVEYS
Damp Inspections/Surveys
We offer a free inspection/survey to investigate damp, mould, decay or woodworm infestation on the property you live in.
Point of Sale Survey
We carry out a detailed, full house point of sale survey for those who are looking to buy for the cost of the properties TRP.
Environmental Survey
As buildings become more thermally efficient and draft proofed, condensation and mould growth become more of a problem. This survey is designed to examine the building identity, the causes of excess damp and specify remedial action required to bring the property back into balance.
Damp Proofing
Basement Tanking and Structural Waterproofing
Complying to BS8102:2009, we design and specify Structural Waterproofing elements using a Type 'A'(External), Type 'B' (Structural) or Type 'C' (Internal).To minimise the risk, quite often a combination of two types are specified. Once designed, we then move on to install and Guarantee.
Chemical Damp Proof Course
Masonry walls built before 1875 were constructed without any form of D.P.C. However, early damp proof courses were either sand and Bitumen or single course slate. These and even later designs are often compromised by bridging or simple breakdowns.
For more information see: BS6576:2005 or BS8481:2006
Cementitious Tanking
This heading covers a large number of products. From water proofing additive through to pre bagged renders. Further information on these will be provided upon request. The generally accepted products are pre bagged formulations that are brush or sprayed on.
There are two basic types. Crystalline growth products and basic coating products. These can be used for Type 'A' and Type 'C' tanking but also on kicker and day joints for Type 'B'. See BS 8102:2009.
Before using these products, surface preparation is essential. The basic tanking slurries are both brittle and strong (35 to 40 newton). Therefore, the background they are placed onto must be as strong or stronger additives can be included to make the coating more flexible but this limits the over coating options.
Penetrating Damp Treatment
The building most prone to this problem are of solid construction. Random granite walls were designed to allow damp to penetrate, however, a more modern solid block wall should remain dry. However, they have often been rendered with a waterproof render, these crack and allow water ingress. This is often compounded by impervious paint coats.
Specialist Re-Plastering
Correct re-plastering following the installation of a remedial damp proof course or Dry Rot Sterilisation is essential. This is because the plaster must be capable of holding back salts. These will be either from the beach sand used for the original mortar or salts from the ground brought up by the rising damp.
If the plaster is not able to control these salts then they will migrate to the surface of the plaster and spoil the decoration and is hydroscopic which causes damp patches to appear.
Treatments
Dry Rot Treatment
The True Dry Rot Fungus (Serpula lacrymans) is a brown rot that gets its common name from the condition it leaves the wood in after it has consumed all the cellulose. The wood is light, brittle and easily crumbles while showing the characteristic cuboidal cracking.
It is the only brown rot with the ability to extend out from the initial point of germination. Using fine hyphae, mycelium and risomorphs it is able to travel through masonry and behind plaster. Therefore, expert identification and eradication is essential.
Wet Rot Treatment
This common term for decay in wood covers hundreds of fungi that break down either the cellulose or the lignum in wood. They are distinct from the True Dry Rot Fungus as generally the attack is restricted to the timber that is getting wet.
The viscous species can be hard wood or soft-wood specific. A classical attack is the breakdown of a beam end built into a solid wall. Quite often, there is insect attack such as Euophrym confine (Wood Boring Weevil) and Xestobium rufovillosum (Death Watch Beetle). Remedial action is quite straight foward. Isolate or remove the moisture source and replace the defective timber.
Wood Worm Treatment
Wood boring insects together with wood rotting fungi are two important agents in the break down of dead organic material. Their role is to return the nutrients to the ground. This is good except that we use timber in our properties, so these insects follow their food source into our homes.
They are introduced in various ways:
1. Built into the building already carrying an infection. A classic example is Death Watch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum).
2. Brought into the house in infested furniture.
3. Brought into the house by twigs carried by birds.
4. Fly into the house as an adult.
Eradication varies according to the insect concerned but generally, control is achieved by the use of insecticides.
Other Services
Epoxy Floor Membranes
These products can be a useful material for providing a membrane to the surface of the floor where an existing membrane has failed or is absent. However, there are a lot of details to address if the installation is to be successful.
Above Ground Floors
1. Skirting must be removed and the wall Damp Proof Course found.
2. The floor surface must be prepared by needle gun, scaffolding or enclosed grit blasting.
3. Stabilise salts. The formation of salt crystals is strong enough to puncture the epoxy coating.
4. Fill voids and cracks with a non shrink mortar.
5. Form a small floor to wall joint with a non shrink mortar.
6. Apply the Epoxy coating with a roller or brush. Normally three coats. Dry sad is cast into the final coat to help key floor screeds.
Choice of Epoxy
This must be able to be applied on to substrate, giving moisture readings of 90%.
Basement Floors
If using Epoxy coatings to the floor, then it is essential that the floor is suitably reinforced and able to withstand water pressure should it come to bear. Check with a Structural Engineer before proceeding.
Possible Failures
Once cured, Epoxy coatings are brittle. If the substrate cracks then the Epoxy will crack. If salt crsytals form they can break through the Epoxy and ;eave a pin hole so compromising the membrane.
Doff
A unique machine designed to remove graffiti, paint and moss/lichen growth from buildings. It is also used to clean paving. It is excellent at removing chewing gum. The basic design is a combination of high water pressure and high temperature.
Maximum operating pressure - 100 bar.
Maximum operating temperature - 150 degrees Celsius.
Crack Repair
One of the most significant points of Storm Water Ingress in solid wall construction are cracks in the render or mortar joints. Even the smallest hairline crack can allow a surprising amount of water ingress.
This may be due to capillary action or differential wind pressure. The following works are not intended to be a repair for structural defects or movement cracks due to subsidence. If the cracks are suitable for repair (subject to survey), we utilise a resin injection system. Once this is set the crack is filled on the face of the wall with a normal external filler.
