Press/News

When a farmhouse in Salisbury, Wiltshire discovered damage to beam ends the Timberwise Sherborne team were called upon to devise and implement a sympathetic repair to the historic farmhouse.

Firstly our surveyor diagnosed that the damage to the timber was caused by an attack of Death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum). Death watch beetles are often found in buildings where there are large quantities of oak or elm used in the structure. Dampness is another factor that assists the Death watch beetle and promotes the rapid development of the beetle outbreak. As part of the repair to the property the sources of dampness were identified and remediation carried out as well as the existing timbers treated. To find out more about Death watch beetles and woodworm treatments visit our woodworm section.

The timber repair system

Our specification for the repair of the timbers involved the cutting back of the rotten timber ends. Slots were then formed in the exisiting timber beam end to enable steel reinforcement bars that are pre attached to the new beam end. A “Shutter” is then formed and the resin poured in. The pictures below the various stages in the timber replacement process.

Pouring resin to join the Timber Resin Splice and the existing timber

The finished timber repair

The beam repair seen from below. Cavity drain membrane can also be seen on the wall

The result was a low disturbance and sympathetic timber repair to the property.

Arranging a survey of damaged timbers

Do you have damaged timbers in your property? If so contact Timberwise to arrange a survey. Simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete the on-line timber survey request form.

At Timberwise we cater for a wide variety of property care problems – from properties where there are damp issues through to large basement waterproofing projects for multi national clients. One of our core services, as our name suggests, is the repairing of damaged timbers.

This is a photo from one of our Manchester technicians who is currently working on a timber replacement project at a college in Northwich, Cheshire. The existing timbers within the roof area had suffered decay, in this case wet rot, as a result of defective flashing and roofing. Timberwise were called in to replace the rotten rafters with new throughout the entire roof area.

We have a variety of timber replacement techniques at our disposal. Our trained technicians, some of whom are skilled joiners, can replace timber with timber but there are instances when we have to use other timber replacement techniques – for example timber resin repairs.

When Dry Rot or Wet Rot occurs in timber beam or truss ends it normally requires extensive opening up and destructive works to replace the timber or “bolt on” unsightly steel plates or side-splice. Thanks to timber resin technology defects can be repaired economically and in-situ using a variety of specially formulated resins, coupled with innovative application techniques.

For more information on the Timberwise way or repairing damaged timbers have a look at our timber engineering page or check out some of our timber repair case studies.

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.

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

As the name Timberwise suggests we are experts in the world of timber maintenance.  We are normally associated with such timber problems as dry rot, wet rot and woodworm but we are also experts in timber replacement techniques where wood has suffered at the hands of fungal decay.

This picture was taken at Llay Miners Welfare in Wrexham, North Wales. The picture clearly shows the steel shuttering and re-enforcing bar around the timber supporting arch which had been the victim of dry rot. As a result of using this timber repair technique minimum disruption was caused to the old and complex roof system.

Timberwise have a range of sympathetic timber replacement solutions at their disposal to solve any timber repair problems. Defects can be repaired quickly, economically and in-situ using a variety of specially formulated resins, coupled with innovative application techniques.

For more specialist information on our range of timber engineering services visit our timber engineering page.

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.

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.

Northorpe Hall

Northorpe Hall in Mirfield, West Yorkshire – is a fantastic grade 2 listed property that is home to Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust. To give extra space at the hall the trust opted to convert a listed 500 year old barn to give them the extra space that they required for a training center. Work started in February 2009 to convert the barn and open up the inside to show the oak timbers  in their full glory.

Timberwise as experts in timber replacement were called upon to repair the oak timbers where they were found to be damaged. The replacing of the damaged timbers involved the use of advanced timber resin technology to create a strong replacement to the rotton timber.

Timber replacement experts in Leeds

The pictures show the delicate timber repair work that was carried out on the  barn.

Timberwise have a range of timber replacement solutions at their disposal to solve timber repair problems. Defects can be repaired economically and in-situ using a variety of specially formulated resins, coupled with innovative application techniques. For more information on our range of timber engineering services visit our timber engineering page.

When a former colliery in Nottingham  needed help with replacing damaged timbers Timberwise were on hand to provide expert advice with a range of timber replacement solutions.

Bestwood  Country Park in Nottingham has an illustrious history.  From the 1680′s when, Charles II leased Bestwood Lodge and its grounds to his mistress Nell Gwynne  through to the late 1880s when Bestwood saw the rapid growth of  Bestwood Colliery within the park. This growth was later  assisted by the  industrial revolution which brought with it  iron smelting at the site.  Coal production was eventually ceased at Bestwood in 1967.

Since coming under the ownership of  Nottinghamshire and Gedling Borough Councils in the early 1980′s  the former colliery site and pit tip were completely relandscaped and important conservation areas were also designated within the park. Restoration of Bestwood Park’s colliery winding engine house was also undertaken which has now been preserved as a working monument to Bestwood’s industrial past.

Bestwood Colliery Winding House

Damaged Roof at Bestwood Colliery

Timberwise are proud to be a part of this historic restoration project.

For more details of Timber Engineering click here.