Press/News

When Manchester City Council spotted a problem with timber decay they called out the team at Timberwise Manchester, experts in timber decay, to a school in Didsbury, Manchester for advice. Initially the survey was to investigate the 1st floor of the school that had deflected significantly.

Vic Hallam “Derwent System” modular buildings

The school in question was erected in the late 1950’s by ‘Vic Hallam’, a company who specialised in modular, timber-framed buildings. In this instance the property was created using the Vic Hallam  ”Derwent System”. The “Derwent System” comprises of permanent buildings that are one or two storeys high and are based on a timber post and plywood box beam framing construction model.

The cause of the decayed timber

Emergency propping works were undertaken immediately to make safe the 1st floor whilst a further investigation of the timbers was carried out. Our investigations revealed extensive decay and failure within the majority of the timber columns / posts which connected the main structure to the walls taking the load to ground.  The decay had affected the posts between ground and first floor and extended into the horizontal beams.

The cause of this attack was due to the original timber window and door frames being replaced with UPVC frames. The replacement frames had no structural strength and the seals failed allowing rainwater to penetrate the main original structural posts and beams.

The innovative solution to replace the decayed timbers

Timberwise, working in conjunction with the Structural Engineers, Atkinson Peck of Stockport, designed a radical repair solution including a combination of bespoke steel strengthening plates and Timber-Resin splice elements along with specialist treatments to arrest any further decay in the timbers.

This innovative system allowed the building to be brought back to its original strength without the need for costly removal of all the windows and with the minimum of disruption. Indeed, the whole repair to a full elevation was carried out within the Summer holidays preventing the need to schedule additional closure to the school.

Timberwise also organised all the redecorations and making good. The children are now back at school safe in the knowledge that their school will stay standing for many more years to come.

The pictures below show the works carried out by the Manchester team.

The exterior of the school. The school is a 1950's Vic Hallam "Derwent System" modular building.

The delamination of the timbers prior to work starting.

The rotton end of the timber is removed and replaced with a timber resin splice. The steel shoe that makes the joint between the beam and the post can also be seen.

The new timbers in position. The steel shoe can also be seen.

Timber repairs from the timber repair specialists

Timberwise are experts in Timber repair and have a variety of solutions to replace rotten timber.

The picture to the left shows the finished job with all new posts fitted to along with new metal fixings  to fix the windows to the posts.

For more information on Timber repair systems from Timberwise call 0800 288 8660 or request a timber survey by completing our timber survey request form.

Don’t forget the VAT increase is coming…

On January 4th 2011, the rate of VAT will increase from the current rate of 17.5% to 20% as anounced by the Government in the Emergency Budget. If you are planning to have any property care work carried out, in order to beat the VAT increase, it is strongly recommended that it is scheduled to be completed prior to the start of 2011

Watch the pennies….

With the expense of Christmas and the credit card bills aftewards looming it makes sense to “Beat the Tax Man” and have any property care work carried out before January 4th 2011.

Don’t delay – get in touch with your local Timberwise office today on 0800 288 8660

When the University of Manchester had a problem with a damp sub-basement at their historical Sackville Street building Timberwise were called upon to provide an expert solution to  their damp problem. The sub-basement suffered with water running down the walls leading to puddles of water on the basement floor. Another problem with the basement was condensation as a result of steam  from the steam room above – this then led to an issue with condensation on the staircase.

The solution to the damp basement

The Timberwise basement waterproofing solution involved the installation of cavity drain membrane to the walls. The cavity drain membrane controls any moisture present on the walls and directs it into a perimeter drainage channel – in this instance WaterGuard around the perimeter of the basement and TrenchDrain around the steps. The perimeter drainage channel then leads into a sump pump unit which takes any water present away to a safe drain off point. To give a clean finish to the basement “WhiteWall” was fitted. ”WhiteWall” is a clean, protective finish that comes in 2m high sheets and is fixed onto the cavity drain membrane with special adhesive.

The project took less than a week to complete and the end result was a dry, useable sub-basement area.

Cavity drain membrane with a Super Sump installed. Note the pipework going through the step to the drain off point to avoid creating a trip hazard

Newly fitted "WhiteWall" fitted on top of cavity drain membrane. The "WhiteWall" still has the blue protective covering on it

"WhiteWall" in situ in the sub-basement

Looking for expert basement waterproofing advice?

Timberwise are experts in basement waterproofing and have a wide variety of basement waterproofing solutions at our disposal. From large scale commercial waterproofing projects to domestic properties we are sure to have a waterproofing solution to suit.

If you are looking for waterproofing advice why not “As our Expert” or to arrange a survey of your basement call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line basement survey request form.

With October not too far away the age old problem of condensation will be back with a vengeance causing dampness and misery for homeowners. Condensation traditionally occurs during colder weather, regardless of whether it is raining or dry. It tends to appear on cold surfaces and places where there is little or no movement of air – for example in the corners of rooms, near windows or behind cupboards and wardrobes.

Timberwise are experts in controlling condensation and advising on ways to control condensation – we also have a full range of  ventilation products from our intelligent range of kitchen and bathroom fans through to our positive pressure ventilation systems. To give you some more help and advice we have produced a condensation video podcast designed to give you helpful advice on controlling this modern menace!

“I still need help for a cure to my condensation problem!”

Expert condensation advice is at hand – to arrange a condensation survey of your property simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line condensation survey request form.

Another great photograph of Dry Rot taken in a basement from one of our Dry Rot specialists! This great picture shows the key elements of Dry Rot – the fruiting body, mycelium growth, hyphae and at the ends of the hyphae tear like droplets of water appear (this is the Dry Rots way of controlling moisture) hence the term Lacrymans meaning tears.

The solution to a Dry Rot problem

Dry Rot has many different stages in its lifecycle. Dry Rot treatment initially starts with correctly identifying which stage your Dry Rot problem has reached within the dry rot lifecycle.  At Timberwise our fully qualified and specialist surveyors are experts at identifying the extent of the decay and will arrange for a suitable solution to the treatment of your dry rot problem. To arrange a Dry Rot survey call 0800 288 8660 of complete our Dry Rot survey request form

Some pictures today from one of our remedial surveyors who was called out to a case of Dry Rot that had taken hold in a property in Peterborough.

Dry Rot under a radiator

Close up of Dry Rot beneath a radiator

This Victorian property had at some point had a leaking down pipe that had led to water ingress creating the ideal breeding conditions for Dry Rot fungus.

What should I do if I suspect Dry Rot in my property?

Dry Rot outbreaks are normally accompanied with some of the following symptoms:

1) Any affected wood shrinks, darkens and cracks in a ‘cuboidal’ manner
2) A silky grey to mushroom coloured skin frequently tinged with patches of lilac and yellow tends to develop in less humid conditions.

3) White, fluffy ‘cottonwool’  like mycelium develops under humid conditions. ‘Teardrops’ may develop on the growth.
4) Strands develop within the mycelium growth; these are brittle and when dry crack when bent.
5) Fruiting bodies are a soft, fleshy pancake or bracket with an orange-ochre surface. The surface has wide pores.
Rust red coloured spore dust is frequently seen around fruiting bodies.
6) Active wood rot decay produces a musty, damp odour.

Get a Dry Rot experts opinion!

If you suspect an outbreak of Dry Rot in your property don’t panic! Call Timberwise on 0800 288 8660and request a Dry Rot survey -  alternatively complete our Dry Rot on-line survey request form

We are delighted to have  sponsored one of our clients, Stuart Prescott - Chartered Building Surveyor at Cube Property Surveyors, to raise money for his daughter who is suffering from Juvenile Arthritis.  Stuart undertook the National 3 peak challenge on the 3rd & 4th July this year to raise money for Arthritis Research UK (ARC) with twelve other Dad’s from his daughters school.

Stuart explains – “The challenge started at Ben Nevis on a rain and mist Saturday evening, followed by an early morning brisk walk up a very cold Scafell Pike and finally a walk up a blustery Snowdon to finish us off – all in 24 hours. Someone said this was “just a walk in the park”! – in total the climb is 3679m which equates to 1362 flights of stairs!”

Stuarts daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis  at the age of 2. The disease affects her knees, hips, shoulders, her right elbow and ankle and her jaw and even leaves her vision blurred. She has gone through various stages of treatment and currently receives Anti TNF drugs, intravenously, for two and a half hours every four weeks. She also attends regular check ups and physiotherapy at the Countess of Chester hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. The drugs are researched and designed by Arthritis Research UK and have been a success in managing the Arthritis (not a cure). ARC is not  government funded and it is down to sponsorship to continue on their research. Stuarts aim was to seek a challenge and raise money in the process for ARC.

Timberwise are proud to assist them achieve their goal of raising money for ARC and there current total has reached £10,000 which has exceeded expectations. Further donations or information can be obtained on the web link http://original.justgiving.com/frodshamdads-n3p.

Channel 4′s new property related show “Help! My house is falling down” has it all from Condensation, black mould and dry rot through to damp, woodworm and structural repairs.

The show airs on Channel 4 at 8pm on Thursdays and sees homeowners address various problems with their properties. Steve Hodgson of the Property Care Association (the governing body for the damp, rot, woodworm and structural repairs industry) has also featured in some of the episodes!

Help! My house is falling down – Watch on-line!

Catch up on all the latest episodes of “Help! My house is falling down” on YouTube by clicking on the image below:

“Help! My house is really falling down!” – Request a survey!

Do you think you might have similar property issues similar to what Sarah Beeny has been helping home owners with in the TV series? If you suspect your property needs some expert care, contact Timberwise on 0800 288 8660 or request a survey online.

Timberwise are experienced on working on specialist waterproofing projects of all sizes. From small Victorian cellars to larger commercial waterproofing projects we have a waterproofing solution to suit all different needs. Here we look at a recent basement waterproofing project in Bradford, West Yorkshire  for a nursery and children’s centre.

The cause of the leaking basement

Undercliffe Lane Community works and Children’s Centre was due for a program of alterations and partial refurbishment during the summer break of 2010. Part of the works involved the installation of a lift facility and the provision of through access into a basement class-room. The existing access to the class-room consisted of a damp, untidy basement hallway which needed waterproofing to provide a safe, dry environment.

The waterproofing system designed by Timberwise

The waterproofing project was on a tight site-program and Timberwise was invited to design a waterproofing solution for the basement hallway. Working with the architect and the contractor Timberwise designed and insulated a Type C (drained protection) waterproofing system with little preparation and the facility for the contractor to dry-line over the waterproofing system which reduced wet-trades in the schedule of works. The cavity drain waterproofing system was installed quickly with little or no disruption to the program and the works were allowed to proceed unhindered.

The cavity drain waterproofing system was designed to drain into adjacent large basement rooms which were at a lower level and had submersible sump pumps recessed in the floors.
Attention to detail with designing waterproofing systems is critical – Timberwise technicians ensured that service penetrations through the waterproofing membrane were treated effectively and that fixing points did not create any problems for the contractor. All joists were fully sealed using butyl tape and fixing points were sealed using gasket grommets to the underside of system fixing components.

Under the Code of Practice which dictates waterproofing design (BS 8102:2009 – The code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground) it is critical to design and consider future maintenance into a waterproofing system. Timberwise designed into the specification and installed cleaning ports to allow future maintenance of the waterproofing system and if required inspection of the cavity drainage system at the Community Works Nursery & Children’s Centre.

The nursery and childrens centre

Cavity drain membrane, drainage channel and inspection port

Fixings in cavity drain membrane

What should I do if I have a leaking Read More →

Rot surveys and timber treatments from the timber experts

Timberwise are experts in treating timbers suffering with rot, especially dry rot and wet rot amongst other form of fungal decay. Rot is one of the main causes of timber decay in properties and Timberwise are able to provide specialist rot surveys to identify the type of wood rot as well as perform the specialist treatments to get rid of the rotten wood within the property.

Below we have 2 pictures taken by our specialist rot surveyor showing 2 of the most common kinds of wood rot – Dry rot and Wet rot.

Timber rot: Dry rot

Here a leak from a dishwasher above has led to the formation of Dry rot in the sub floor void area.

Timber rot: Wet rot

Here we see wet rot in the bearing end of a floor joist with the floor boards above also showing signs of a beetle infestation. Also visible are signs of 2 previous damp proof courses (1 chemical DPC and 1 bitumen dpc) that have failed to protect the floor joists. As can be seen by the screwdriver the timber had lost strength and become weak.

What are the signs of Dry rot and Wet rot ?

The signs of Dry rot include:

- A pungent mushroom like smell

- A white fungal growth

- The timber will show signs of cracking in a cuboidal formation

Learn more about Dry rot treatments from Timberwise

The signs of Wet rot include:

- A damp smell

- Timbers will be soft and appear cracked

- A fungal growth will be present.

Learn more about Wet rot treatments from Timberwise