Damp Survey And Damp Treatments
Need A Damp Survey Or?Damp Treatment Anywhere In Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside or across the North West?
Damp Nation will carry out a damp survey anywhere across?the North West of England. Our professional damp survey team will identify the cause of your damp problem and recommend the best course of action based on your individual requirements and findings. It is commonplace that customers believe their property has a rising damp problem; however, in more than often cases we establish that this is not the correct diagnosis.
In this scenario the damp treatment is unnecessary because it does not remedy the damp problem that they have. It is a fact that that 75% of buildings that a damp proof course has been provided did not actually need one. Damp Nation will carry out a free damp survey with no obligation to pay for a course of damp treatment. Damp Nation are specialists in providing expert damp surveys and damp proof courses and can provide you with a free survey upon request. We currently have teams of damp survey specialists? in the following locations:
Act Now to Safeguard Your Property and Your Health
The right treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis from a professional surveyor. To ensure the right diagnosis is to properly inspect the cause of the problem with a thoroughly implemented survey.
By having your property surveyed by a qualified surveyor will enable you to identify the root cause of rising damp, wet rot, dry rot or woodworm issues and allow us to recommend and provide a course of treatment to proof the property from future damp problems.
Any kind of damp problems can be the cause of highly significant damage to a property, therefore it is essential that you take the next steps to combat the problem right away.
Condensation
Condensation Damp Treatments
Our professional surveyors have the ability to identify the presence of condensation caused damp problems and provide you with an effective and accurate solution
Condensation Damp Treatments from Damp Nation
Condensation damp can be noticed in situations where there is visual evidence of your windows dripping with water. You may find this in the morning when you get out of bed and walk into the bathroom, or have been out of the house through the day and come home to find condensation on the internal side of your windows.
If the above applies to yourself then have the telltale signs of condensation issues. If left without acting on these signs, the condensation will eventually lead to more damaging problems to your property such as:
- Peeling Wallpaper
- Black Mould on the Walls
- Damp Patches on your walls
The above symptoms will created infected areas in your home and can result in damage to your brickwork, potent and stale odours and also the prospect of harming the health of anyone living in the property.
Why is condensation damp such a common problem?
Condensation is a common problem, mainly because modern homes are nearly always insulated by double glazed windows, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation ? although these are all important to have in your property, it also means that moisture cannot escape. This leads to the moisture settling on cold areas of your house, such as walls and windows.
Damp Nation can ensure that your condensation damp problems are dealt with effectively and professionally as we offer fully trained technicians that have your best interests in mind.
Our damp technicians have the experience and the knowledge to perform a bespoke course of treatment whilst undertaking all work in a respectful and clean manner along with demonstrating an environmentally friendly process.
The following areas are particularly prone to condensation:
- Cold surfaces such as mirrors, single glazed windows (above) and metal window frames.
- Kitchens and bathrooms.
- Walls of unheated rooms.
- Cold corners of rooms.
- Wardrobes/cupboards and behind furniture against an outside wall.
- How to tackle condensation dampness
Contact Damp Nation today for a full diagnosis and treatment of condensation damp
With over 20 years experience in the damp proofing industry we have developed a vast portfolio of customers who have received a more than satisfactory service. That is why a high percentage of our work comes from recommendations from homeowners who have benefited from our work that has been carried out to the very highest standards.
Our company is committed to providing not only a highly effective and professional solution to damp problems, it is also backed up by the very best standards of customer service and satisfaction.
To speak to an industry professional today simply call us on 03337 33 33 77 or click here to book a free survey.
Rising Damp
What is Rising Damp?
Rising damp occurs when water seeps through from the ground and surrounds the foundations of a building. Because brick and stone are naturally porous the moisture will inevitably soak into the porous materials over a period of time. The process comes when heat draws up moisture that then carries soluble salts, the most significant elements of these salts are sulphates, nitrates and chlorides that is commonly described as ?capilliarity.?
How high the subsequent dampness rises will depend on a number of factors that include how porous the brick or stone is and the rate of evaporation. Any Masonry that contains high proportions of fine pores in-turn allow water to rise higher than a coarse pored material.
When rising damp is left untreated, a high quantity of salt will naturally develop within a building’s structure which will then form a salt band. Because chlorides and nitrates are frequently hygroscopic, (which means that they will absorb moisture from the surrounding environment) this leads to a situation where the greater the amount of salts, the greater the absorption of moisture ? specifically in humid conditions.
What is a Damp Proof Course?
A damp proof course (DPC) ? is a horizontal barrier used to protect buildings from moisture rising into interior areas. Over time the DPC starts to decay and also adaptations in the building occur, such as driveways and paths are raised that bridge DPC?s allowing dampness to enter the building fabric.
Why Rising Damp can be a Problem
In general, rising damp generally is not detected at the original point of occurance, and as a result the problem will lead to timber decay, causing heat loss as a result of an increased conductivity of the walls. Rising damp It is an eye-sore, can potentially be a health risk, and will also decay the masonry over time, causing the surface to break away. When this moisture enters into the plaster work the prospect of extensive and disruptive treatment internally is highly likely.
In the event that you suspect your property maybe suffering from a sign of rising damp, you should consider treatment immediately to keep the cost of treatment down to a minimum.
How You Can Spot Rising Damp
Usual signs rising damp can be the appearance of blistering in the wallpaper or starting to peel, or patches of discoloration that become noticeable on lower parts of the interior wall. Rising damp can cause extensive damage to the building’s structure due to deterioration of plaster work and the skirting board nails rusting and the rotting away of skirting boards. Externally white bands of salts can be seen to the lower region of a wall.
How to fix a Rising Damp Problem
Firstly, you must get a professional survey to determine whether or not you actually have rising damp. A high percentage of houses that get treated for rising damp do not actually have it in the first place, but have issues with various other forms of dampness. To try and identify this, you can check then external areas of your property and look for signs of faulty water services or a new patio or flower bed that has been placed higher than the DPC. By following these guidelines you may be able to cure the damp problem by allowing the area to dry out naturally from opening windows and heating the room.
If no obvious signs are found, we highly recommend instructing a damp surveyor to carry out a property survey in order to ascertain the extent of the problem and? recommend the correct course of action. a course of rising damp treatment will involve the masonry being injected with water repellent chemicals and the removal and replacement of any affected plaster work and damaged timber.
Lateral Damp
What is Lateral Damp?
This is often describes as penetrating damp or lateral damp and is the horizontal ingress of moisture through the walls of a building. This can occur when either the external ground levels are higher than the inside ground level or a result of faulty rendering. Other examples when this occurs can be due to weathered masonry (stone or brick), or faulty rainwater services (guttering or downpipes). This normally appears on the external walls of the property and are noticable in the form of isolated patches of dampness, which will increase in size after periods of heavy rain.
Lateral?damp can also affect roofs, ceilings and walls and it can, unlike rising damp, happen at any level. Lateral?damp is far more common in older properties, since they are more likely to have solid walls. A new build property with cavity walls offers much more protection and, as such, is unlikely to suffer from this type of defect. Though since the introduction of cavity wall insulation, this issue is starting to occur in newer buildings.
How to Identify Lateral?Damp
You can easily identify signs of lateral damp in the appearance of a watermark generally appearing on the walls or ceilings that will dry, leaving a shade of brown. Typically, these damp patches will normally grow if the water continues to enter the structure. The growth of mould can also occur with this form of damp, but will usually depend upon the conditions. You can also find water droplets or free flowing water on the surface depending on the severity of the damp. However, there will be no salts present with this type of damp.
It can often be weeks or months before problems occur, thisis why it is important to be vigilant when searching for any signs and symptoms of penetrating damp or?lateral damp penetration. You might notice:
- Circles of damp on walls and ceilings that seem to get bigger.
- Patches on the walls.
- Crumbly, wet plaster.
- Spores or mildew present.
- Drips and puddles.
The Problem
Moisture enters the more vulnerable areas of a structure from a horizontal direction and then begins to descend deeper, breaking up materials like timber and plastering as it infiltrates further. This type of damp can appear at any level of a building and can create isolated areas of damp which can increase in size significantly after rainfall. Salt deposits can also be left behind once the moisture has dissolved, which may harm your building further if it is left to build-up.
Problems caused by Lateral Damp
Lateral?Damp can lead to further problems, such as:
- Wet rot
- Mould
- Damp plasterwork
- Damp smells
- Frost damage to masonry
- Visible water damage
- Rooms feeling cold and uninhabitable
The Cause Of Lateral Damp
This kind of damp problem can be caused by poorly maintained water and waste pipes which have begun to leak, damaged mortar joints, defective brickwork, disturbed tiling and guttering, insufficient damp prevention in wet areas and raised soil level.
The Solutions To Lateral Damp
With most damp problems?the first step is to identify the area where moisture is entering the building, and stopping this occurring. Depending on the length of time that the moisture has been entering the structure, then plastering may be required and internal vertical damp proof systems employed.
Rainwater Damage
As the heading suggests, this form of damp is associated with rainwater. ?Rainwater damage is often noticed internally. Concentrated and prolonged wetting is likely to cause damp patches to the walls and ceilings, decay of timber skirting boards, panelling etc. If the problem is longstanding then when work starts or after a destructive survey will often reveal rot in concealed timbers, such as roof truss bearings beneath parapet gutters.
When raining, go outside to look at your water services, faulty joints, cascading water (sign of blocked guttering) become easily visible, allowing prevention works to take place.
The Problem
The appearance of damp becomes noticeable in living spaces within the property, often arriving from the upper parts of the building. This can cause plastering to disintegrate, making the interior walls crumble and appear dilapidated. Any timber used to construct the structure can begin to rot away and create an increased safety risk to anyone using the building.
The Cause
Rainwater damage typically originates from defects on external areas of the property such as shoddy guttering, poorly pointed bricks, failing or inadequate damp proofing, gaps in rendering and overflows which aren?t draining correctly.
Due to water not being properly removed from guttering and running down the wall the external masonry can suffer from algae growth and eroded mortar joints. Brickwork and stonework can start to spall causing damage to the structure and wall ties. Render may fail locally, particularly inappropriate cement-based coverings that draw in water through hairline cracks. External joinery can be attacked by wet rot where there are leaks above doors and windows. Blocked gullies may lead to a build-up of water and damage to foundations.
Due to poor maintenance of gutters, downpipes and gullies that can become blocked if leaves, moss and debris (for example, broken tiles) are allowed to accumulate.
In addition wooden guttering if not painted regularly can start to rot and therefore allowing the rainwater not to be properly removed from the property.
Prevention
Good maintenance involves regularly clearing out rainwater fittings, particularly after the autumn leaf fall, and checking the system for defects.
Periodic redecoration of ironwork is required to inhibit corrosion or rot.
It can be advantageous to fit plastic leaf guards to gutters or wire balloons above downpipes. Leaf guards still admit pine needles and are sometimes easily dislodged, and material left to gather around wire balloons may cause blockages. Where visually acceptable, overflow pipes can be introduced above hopper heads.
Flooding
Flood Damage
The flood water in your home or other property may contain sewage or other contaminants like petrol, diesel and other oily substances. Under normal circumstances this will be very diluted and present a low risk to human life, but we would recommend that a full decontamination is carried out. Then?a drying process is carried out on the fabrication of the house and a structural survey to establish that the integrity of the building is still intact.
After a flood has occurred, many things need to be established prior to remedial works taking place. Firstly, what caused the flood? For example, the way in which you approach remedial works will be different depending on whether the flood was caused by a failed sewage system, or was due to a river overflowing. The possibility that the water may have come from more than one source will also need to be considered.
It should be quickly established if any contamination may have occurred, as this will strongly affect how the whole flood remediation process is handled. It should be noted that although flood water may not contain contaminants from its source, it may have picked up contaminating materials during the flood period. Possible sources of contamination include:
- Black / Grey Water
- Oil / Other Chemical Contamination
- Sea Water
- Biological (e.g. Sewage)
- Silt, Salt, Sand / Other Fines
It is recommended that any materials affected by the flood are sanitised prior to removal.
Where buildings have been subjected to flood water above 0.6 m in height, or if there is evidence of movement or cracking of structural elements, a structural engineer should be consulted before any further works take place.
As a company we can guide you through each step of this process and how to rebuild not only your property but life after such an occurrence.
