Property Ladder renovation benefits from the Timberwise treatment

10/11/2005

Timberwise are proud to have assisted with damp proofing and timber treatments to a listed property in Harlaxton, Lincolnshire that has featured on the Channel 4 programme 'Property Ladder'.

The property is a grade 2 listed building that was built in the early 1800's as the village bakery. The building (a two storey semi detached structure) needed complete modernization.

The Survey

The property is constructed in a combination of 450mm stonework and solid brick walls. The property also included the original bake house ovens which provided a glimpse in to the buildings past. There was no visual evidence of an existing damp proof course.

The inspection to the main roof void, front and rear, revealed evidence of an active infestation by Common Furniture Beetle (anobium punctatum). It was also noted that water was entering the roof void to the rear and front valleys above the bake house extension. The water ingress had caused attack by Wet Rot fungus (Coniophora puteana) to several valley beams. The second and first floor floors were found to be of reed and lime motar construction. Our inspection also revealed attack by the Common Furniture Beetle, this appeared however to be of some age with no evidence of recent activity. One first floor area had evidence of attack by Wet Rot fungus to a number of joists. The decay had resulted in some considerable deflection in the floor.

Following our visual inspection and moisture profiling it was noted that a problem of rising damp existed to all ground floor walls. All ground floor wall plaster upto 1000 mm above the internal floor was showing signs of deterioration and salt contamination.

The Solution

We carried out a full woodworm eradication programme to the roof voids as well as providing a full damp proofing system to the retaing walls using our exclusive Driwise system. The groundfloor walls, having been damp proofed were then re-plastered using a high quality cement based renovating plaster.

The end result of our work and our clients renovations is a sympathetically restored Grade 2 listed property that is free of any damp issues and woodboring insect infestations.

Visit the Property Ladder website.