Radon Gas cannot be detected by any human senses –as  it is an odourless and colourless gas it is impossible to know the levels of Radon Gas in your home without proper testing. 

Trust Timberwise to make  testing for Radon Gas a simple process with our easy to use Radon test kit.  The Radon test kit comprises of:

• 2 Radon Gas detectors in sealed packaging
• Easy to follow instructions for how the Radon test kit works
• Our prices include analysis of the Radon test kit and reports

The Radon test kits available from Timberwise operate over a 3 month period – this then allows for any seasonal fluctuations according to temperatures. Passive Radon Gas detectors are placed within the main living and sleeping areas of the property. These Radon Gas detectors are then sent for laboratory analysis to obtain a yearly average Becquerel level. Remedial action is then dependant on the accurate results obtained. The current action level in the UK is 200 Becquerels per cubic meter.

How do I purchase a Radon Test Kit ?

Purchasing a Radon test kit couldn’t be easier as they can be safely purchased at www.radontestkit.co.uk  or by clicking on the link below . Radon test kits cost  £55 inc VAT and Postage. 

Did you know that you are exposed to Radon Gas everyday? Did you also know that your home could be harbouring this odorless killer and you could be blissfully unaware?   Read on to find out to keep you and your family safe from the silent menace that is Radon Gas…..

In small quantities Radon Gas does not represent a major health risk. Only when Radon Gas is in areas of increased concentration can it cause a major issue to health. Radon Gas has been linked to lung cancer and in the UK only it is estimated that anything up to 2000 deaths per year are caused by exposure to Radon Gas. After smoking Radon Gas is the next largest cause of lung cancer in the UK!

Radon Gas is a  radioactive gas that is present in all rocks, solids, concrete and bricks.  Since Radon Gas is naturally occurring, its concentration is directly related to the geology underneath your home. As Radon Gas is formed naturally there are some parts of the UK that are more at risk of Radon Gas than others. To help people identify if their home is in an area of high Radon Gas concentration the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in the UK have conducted an in depth study of Radon Gas and identified the risk of Radon contamination across the UK. This information is readily available from the HPA in the form of a Radon Map. The Radon Gas map identifies the probability of your property having an issue with Radon Gas. Click here to view the Radon Gas map.

Other contributing factors to the amount of Radon Gas contamination in the home are the construction of the property and the ventilation of the property. In all likelihood even the though a property may be situated in an area of low risk where there appears to be low concentration of Radon Gas the property may still  have Radon Gas problems if not ventilated properly. It is also possible for a property that is constructed well with good ventilation to be safe in a high risk area.

How do I find out if my home is safe from Radon Gas ?

Radon Gas cannot be detected by any human senses – it is a colourless and odourless gas so it is impossible to know the levels of Radon Gas without proper testing. Thankfully testing for Radon Gas is a simple process. The first step any home owner should take is to look at the HPA Radon Gas map to identify the level of Radon Gas risk in their area. Secondly, a Radon Test Kit should be purchased. These are available from Timberwise and can be safely purchased on-line in our Property Care Experts shop. The test we supply are 90 day test kits which provide an accurate measure of the amount of Radon Gas in the property. Click here to purchase a Radon Gas Test Kit.

What is the best way to lower Radon Gas levels in my home? 

If Radon Gas is a problem within the property don’t panic! There are many ways to lower the Radon Gas level within the property from the introduction of improved ventilation in the form of positive pressure ventilation through to Radon Gas Fan Assisted Sump Systems. Timberwise are able to provide advice on which solution is best for you and your family.

For more detailed information on Radon Gas why not read our Radon Gas Article written by our Radon Gas Expert. For lowering Radon Gas levels in your home there is only one name you need to know – Timberwise! Radon specialists and experts in Radon Gas control.

Todays picture shows one of the most common complaints in properties – dampness and in particular rising damp. To the right of the picture salts can be seen appearing as a result of damp rising up the wall. The dampness in this property has led to other property care issues forming as well. The skirting board is showing signs of cuboidal cracking which is a sign of dry rot forming and black spot mould (normally associated with condensation)  has also appeared on the wall as a result of moisture and very little air movement on the cool external wall.

What is rising damp?

Rising damp is caused by water from the ground spreading through the brickwork by means of capillary action. This means the water travels upwards through the small cracks in the masonry.  No matter how well constructed a property is rising damp could still be a problem. If the damp protection (damp proof course)  in place is bridged in some way (for example a raised flowerbed) then rising damp could raise its ugly head. As can be seen above rising damp initially causes damp patches and staining to the affected wall but only up to a height of approximately 1 meter. It can also, if left untreated, be the cause of other property care issues such as dry rot.

The solution for rising damp and dampness

Timberwise are experts in damp proofing with over 4 decades experience in providing specialist damp proofing solutions to home owners. If you suspect you have a rising damp problem in your property Timberwise have a variety of damp proofing solutions to solve your damp issues for good. Firstly it is important to clarify the type of dampness in the property (it could be rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation). Only after correctly determining the type of dampness can the correct damp proofing solution be determined. For rising damp our solutions range from DriWise damp proofing injection through to electro osmotic damp proofing systems.  Solutions to condensation vary from our range of ventilation products (positive pressure units and a range of kitchen and bathroom fans) through to dehumidifier units. To learn more about rising damp and dampness our “Damp Expert” has written an article that looks at damp in detail and is packed with interesting damp information. Why not also check out our rising damp video to learn more about our range of damp solutions.

Arranging for a damp survey of your property from Timberwise couldn’t be easier – simply click here and complete our on line damp survey request form and we’ll contact you to arrange a convenient time for our damp surveyor to inspect your damp problem and provide you with the perfect damp solution for your home.

For solving your damp problems there is only one name you need to know – Timberwise – the experts in damp control.

Condensation mould (A part of the Aspergillus family of mould) forming on the back of a wardrobe

This great image taken on a condensation consultation in Manchester clearly shows the forming of condensation mould. Condensation mould doesn’t necessarily form in areas you can see and can prove to be a hidden menace! This example of condensation mould was caused as a result of the wardrobe pushed up against a cool  external wall. As the wardrobe was close to the wall there was little or no air movement so when condensation formed in the bed room there was no air flow to dry the moisture.  Within the space of around a week the condensation mould had begun to form as the timber of the wardrobe provided a food source for the mould. Our picture shows mould growth after around 3 or 4 weeks of development.

Do you need advice on curing condensation?

If you have a problem with condensation or condensation mould help is at hand. Envirowise, the specialist air quality team within Timberwise are experts in condensation and condensation mould and are able to provide a condensation consultation to determine the causes of condensation with the property and recommend the right solution to control condensation and condensation mould.  We have a variety of solutions at our disposal ranging from positive pressure ventilation units through to whole house ventilation and kitchen and bathroom fans. In some cases we may also recommend products from our range of dehumidifiers. Condensation mould removal kits are also available and can be bought securely on-line in the Property Care Experts Shop.

Arranging a condensation consultation

Simply click here to complete our on-line condensation consultation request form.

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.

Todays photo from our surveyors files is of Dry Rot Mycelium Growth. Dry Rot is a wood destroying fungus and can cause wide spread structural damage if left untreated and is one of the most feared forms of fungal decay.

 If you suspect that you have Dry Rot in your property don’t panic! Timberwise have over 4 decades experience in the treating of Dry Rot in properties. For more information on Dry Rot check out our other Dry Rot pages on this website. We also have an article written by The Expert that looks in detail at Dry Rot as well an an animation that looks at the life cycle of Dry Rot. To arrange a Dry Rot survey simply call 0800 99 11 00 or click here to arrange a Dry Rot Survey on-line.

Today’s picture from our surveyors files is of condensation black spot mould (also known as Aspergillus Niger).

The picture shows black spot mould at the cold spot of the wall / junction as well as mould on the plasterboard finish where the “dabs” holding the plasterboard have created a cold spot.  The “dabs” are the only contact between the plasterboard and the cold wall, therefore the temparature of the cold wall is transferred through the “dab” on to the surface of the plasterboard. This causes moisture trapped in the air to “condensate” out at this cold spot. This is otherwise known as “Cold bridging”.

Condensation black spot mould is a direct effect of condensation. Black spot mould usually appears in areas where there is very little air movement such as window reveals, floor / ceiling and floor / wall junctions and behind furniture that is positioned behind colder walls. The conditions that black mould needs to develop then are cooler parts of a property where the average relative humidity is 70% or more on a regular basis.

Black spot mould and health

There is much concern surrounding the effect of condensation mould spores in the air on the health of you and your children.

Generally speaking, mould spores, like pollen, are air-borne and everywhere, and do not affect those in good health. Problems do occur though when mould is allowed to grow and produce spores in great numbers, and these can exacerbate problems in those suffering from asthma, or with respiratory or pulmonary conditions.

Treating condensation mould

Condensation mould can be treated very easily. Simply washing off condensation mould  and re-painting areas doesn’t work!  The only way to remove all the mould spores is to use a condensation mould eradication kit. These mould kits remove mould once and for all! To see how simple the kits are to use check out our condensation mould expert in this video   It is though important to reduce the amount of moisture in the air and improve the ventilation in the property (using bathroom and kitchen fans or positive pressure units) or the mould will return!

Condensation help is at hand!

The specialist Air Quality team at Timberwise, Envirowise, can help with your condensation problems. With our range of positive pressure systems it’s never been easier to control condensation without losing heat within the home. Our range of positive pressure units are designed with the end user in mind – simple to use and very effective! We also have a range of kitchen and bathroom fansfrom our Energysaver range – economical to run and packed with state of the art technology to help control condensation and air quality in the home. We also have a range of dehumidifiers to help remove the moisture and help stop the condensation as well. With a full range available there’s sure to be one that suits your property and budget.

For properties that have blackspot mould as a result of condensation we have availabe a condensation mould kit. Designed to kill the mould spores and prevent the mould coming back. The condensation mould kits are easy to apply and can be purchased in our on-line shop.

Timberwise can also provide a condensation consultation in your property. Here our condensation specialist will be able to identify the causes of the condensation in your property and recommend a condensation solution to help. To arrange a condensation consultation click here.

To solve your condensation problems there really is only one name you need to know! Trust the condensation experts trust Timberwise.

To help show why Timberwise are the property care company of choice for many we have compiled a short animation that looks at what makes Timberwise different from everybody else. From our skilled surveyors and technicians to our office based teams all at Timberwise are dedicated to providing the best quality service for you and your property.

Timberwise have over 4 decades experience in the caring of properties – from damp, rising damp and dry rot through to basement waterproofing  and woodworm our highly skilled surveyors are able to diagnose a solution to suit your needs. As members of the Property Care Association

Don’t just take our word for it though! To become one of the many satisfied clients of Timberwise simply complete the survey request form or call 0800 99 11 00.

When a prestigious hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, needed a waterproofing solution they could trust they turned to Timberwise to provide the ideal waterproofing solution to suit their needs.

The Harrogate based Rudding Park Hotel is in the process of extending the fantastic facilities that they already offer by building a new bedroom wing, a spa are as well as a gymnasium. Timberwise were appointed as waterproofing experts to waterproof the new construction.

The waterproofing solution involved the use of  a Bentonite waterproofing membrane. Bentonite membrane benefits from a unique surface Bentonite impregnation which makes for an exceptional waterproof barrier with impermeable lap joints. A continuous layer of natural Sodium bentonite is sandwiched within the waterproof membrane. Sodium Bentonite expands when wet and absorbs several times its dry mass in water. The membrane gives basement waterproofing protection to grades 2, 3 and 4 as defined in BS8102 making for a totally dry basement.

Timberwise are experts in waterproofing and can help convert dark damp cellars and basements in to usable living space and have an extensive range of basement solutions available. From the design of the basement waterproofing solution through to the installation of the waterproofing solution  you can have peace of mind that your property is in the hands of the waterproofing experts – Timberwise. For more information on our range of waterproofing solutions visit our basement waterproofing solutions section.