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.
When an out break of wet rot was identified on a beam end following a leaky roof at Leicester County Cricket Club the Timberwise team were on hand to help out with our timber resin repair system. Timberwise were asked to pull together a specification for the repairing of the damaged timber in the most sympathetic way possible. As our company name suggest we are experts in timber care and as such came up with an ideal timber repair solution!
Our timber repair specification involved cutting back of the rotten end of the timber. Slots were then formed in the existing beam end to accept steel reinforcement bars that are pre-attached to the new beam end. A “shutter” was then formed and resin injected. Finally the timber repair was sanded down and all the brick work and plaster made good. The pictures below show step by step how this method of timber repair was done. Simply click on an image and the photo will enlarge.
Timber repair CPD seminar day
Timberwise are hosting a timber repair CPD at the David Gower Suite on June 23rd 2010. Our speakers, Neil Hartley and David Moore are experts on timber repair techniques and it gives an ideal opportunity to learn from the timber repair experts. If you are interested in attending call our team at our Leicester office on 0116 269 3960 or eMail leics@timberwise.co.uk
The David Gower Suite at Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Wet rot attack to a beam end following roof leakage
Forming the slots to the existing beam to accept the steel bars that are pre-attached to the new beam end
The final fit of the new softwood beam end prior to resin injection
Installing shutters and injection points to form a resin / steel bar connection
The reverse side of the beam during the final sanding down
When Timberwise were contacted by a fast food chain to help improve the air quality in one of their restaurants in Liverpool our specialist air quality team, Envirowise, were up to the challenge! The brief was simple: they needed a system to remove the stale air and odours from a basement area and replace it with fresh filtered air. Due to long periods of inactivity the air had a habit of becoming “stale” so a system was need to ensure clean fresh air was delivered constantly.
A perfect solution for stale air using a mechanical ventilation system!
Our Envirowise team had just the solution! A heat recovery mechanical ventilation system was prescribed to banish the stale air from the basement. The mechanical ventilation unit is designed to import clean fresh air over long distances whilst extracting the stale air away from the building. In this case the unit had to carry air over 35 meters away to and from the basement area. The mechanical ventilation unit was installed by our air quality team in the plant room of the restaurant and using discreet ducting filled the basement area with clean air.
The picture below shows the mechanical ventilation unit clearly showing the air in and air out ducting.
Externally, the only sign that the unit had been fitted to the building were two discreet air vents – one for bringing fresh air into the building and the other for the extracted air.
Our Envirowise team have a variety of ventilation solutions to cope with all manner of air quality issues. From kitchen fans and bathroom fans through to whole house ventilationand solutions for air quality problems in commercial properties – Envirowise have a solution for you!
If you have concerns over the air quality in your property don’t hesitate to contact us. Simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete our survey request to arrange a survey of your property.
The church of St Mary Magdalene has stood at the heart of the village of Geddington near Kettering for over 1000 years. Over time the building has stood firm against all the British weather can throw at it but when a problem was discovered with timber decay in the oak beams in the roof Timberwise were on hand to help.
Upon inspection of the timbers there were 3 damaged beams that were showing signs of wet rot decay at the bearing ends as a result of a leaking parapet gutter. Timberwise were asked to provide a specification to repair the damaged timbers invisibly. As experts in timber repair we had the perfect timber repair solution for this problem!
Our timber repair specification involved the cutting back of the rotton ends of the timber. At the sound end of the timber beam steel reinforcement bars were to be installed into the timber. A “shutter” then needed to be formed and a new solid resin end put in place. The pictures below show how this method of timber repair was done as well as demonstrating how it was done with minimum disruption to the very old and complex roof structure.
For timber repairs trust the timber repair experts – Trust Timberwise!
Timberwise have many years experience in the treating of damaged timbers and using timber resin repairs on rotted wood. For more information on our expertise in timber engineering visit our timber engineering pages or call 0800 288 8660.
When a shop in London required a totally dry basement Timberwise were called upon to provide a perfect waterproofing solution
The Basement Waterproofing Problem
Traditionally Barrel Vaulted Basements are affected by moisture from all directions. Within the shop four-sub high street Barrel Vaults had been waterproofed previously. Unfortunately, as a result of traffic vibration, substrate failure and the inability of the existing cement based system to accommodate for differential movement water seepage had occurred leading to dampness. The client required the vaults for a designer display of high quality “Cat-Walk” fashion goods and accessories. It was therefore imperative that the basement was dry and free of all dampness.
The Basement Waterproofing Solution
The Waterproofing Solution consisted of an 8mm floor Cavity Drain Membrane, an 8mm Wall Cavity Drain Membrane, including a full barrel vaulted application, a full perimeter drainage system(Waterguard) installation and a sump and pump facility(Supersump). The waterproofing solution achieved the highest grade of Basement waterproofing (Grade 4) under BS 8102 making the basement fully damp/water and vapour proof.
Basement Waterproofing from Timberwise
It has become increasingly popular to convert basements within properties in to habitable living space. Timberwise are experts in basement waterproofing utilising a range of basement waterproofing solutions. Watch our video to find out more about converting a basement into a dry room using the latest in basement waterproofing techniques.
Timberwise Whitewall provides the perfect damp proofing solution
Timberwise were recently called to look at a bin store at a block of flats in Windermere. The bin store area is housed at the bottom of the flats and is partially underground. There was evidence of dampness and water ingress on appearing on one of the walls as a result of an inadequate damp proofing course. The brief to Timberwise was simple – provide an effective damp proofing solution for the walls and prevent dampness coming through again.
Timberwise have a wealth of experience in damp proofing, and as such, were able to specify the correct damp proofing specification for the job from the many damp proofing solutions we have available.
Timberwise specified the Whitewall system combined with a perimeter drainage channel. The drainage channel was used to take away any moisture to a convenient drain off point whilst the Whitewall acts in the same way as a cavity drainage membrane, controlling the the flow of any moisture that may be present. Whitewall, which is a heavy duty waterproof hygienic cladding, was fitted using special adhesive and brackets to all the walls of the room. The Whitewall provided a perfect damp proofing solution as it provided the store area with an impact resistant, dry finish that could not be achieved using other damp proofing methods.
For more information on the range of damp proofing solutions available from Timberwise visit our damp proofing pages.
When The Royal Ballet School needed advice on a damp proofing problem at the historic White Lodge in London damp experts Timberwise were called upon to put their damp proofing expertise into action.
White Lodge is the home of the Royal Ballet School. Housed within a spectacular Georgian property in Richmond Park. Formerly White Lodge was formerly a royal residence and was built as a hunting lodge for George II in 1727. Famously Lord Nelson stayed at the Lodge prior to the Battle of Trafalgar. It is said that Nelson plotted the campaigns for Cadiz and Trafalgar on the dining room table using the fruit and silver for ships and writing on the table cloth with a finger dipped in port! More information on the Royal Ballet and White Lodge can be found in the video below:
It was apparent that dampness was present in a section of the accommodation part of the Lodge. The dampness was causing potential health risks with salts coming through the plasterwork . A sympathetic repair was needed to the damp problem. By using a cavity drain membrane fixed to the damp wall we were able to dry line and plaster the wall to ensure that the dampness would not reoccur.
Timberwise, with over 40 years experience in damp proofing and the installation of damp proof courses. Having eradicated rising damp problems in thousands of homes you can trust Timberwise to remove your rising damp problem for good by advising the most appropriate rising damp treatment for your property. Utilising the most upto date methods in damp proofing Timberwise offer a long term guarantee to give you complete peace of mind that your rising damp problem is a thing of the past.
When an out break of 
