Client: Domestic
Our client, a homeowner in Hornchurch, tasked Timberwise with surveying and remedying a case of rising damp within their home. This property was a semi-detached bungalow of cavity brick construction with external render and was both occupied and furnished at the time of our inspection. The weather conditions were overcast and wet.
Challenges
As the property was furnished at the time of our visit, this can cause access concerns to some areas within. Fixtures such as floor coverings, furniture, and tiled walls can all impact the tools we use to build a picture of damp within a property. This is a regular occurrence for our surveyors, especially in occupied properties, and they are well-backed by over 50 years of industry experience to ensure they can build a full picture of work required despite these obstructions.
Observations
Our surveyor began by conducting a brief external examination from ground level. During this inspection, our surveyor observed water staining around the guttering, as well as vegetation growth in the gutter. This indicated an area of moisture build-up in the rainwater goods leading to leaking. This condition could contribute to or create an area of penetrating damp within the property, where water enters through defects within the external wall. One such type of defect was noted further down one of the walls, where exterior paint was found to be flaking and debonding from the wall.
At ground level, our surveyor also observed that the external render was in contact with the floor on two elevations. This can be a likely cause of rising damp if the render is not of a waterproof material. Although a Damp Proof Course (DPC) could not be identified due to the render coat, it would also be easy for the render to allow moisture to bridge over the DPC if one were present.
Moving internally, our surveyor used an electronic conductivity meter to plot moisture profiles within the walls. After taking several readings, our surveyor identified moisture levels indicating ongoing rising dampness within several walls. They believed that the external render was contributing to the current condition within the property.
Our surveyor also believed that this cyclic damp penetration was depositing soluble salts within the internal plaster. These salts attract moisture back into the wall after drying, causing the plaster to degrade and fall away over time.
Solutions
To remedy the internal condition of the property, our surveyor devised a treatment plan that not only treated the affected areas but also limited the likelihood of recurrence.
Internally, our technicians removed the salt-saturated plaster from the affected walls. This would remove the historic salts from the property. In its place, our technicians eventually re-plastered with a salt retardant specification, preventing the build-up of future salts within the newly plastered walls.
Upon discovering that a DPC was not present, our technicians also installed a chemical injection DPC onto the external-facing walls. This involved drilling into the mortar beds at set intervals, and injecting a gel which, once hardened, would prevent damp from being able to rise within the wall.
However, these remediations would be moot if the root cause was not remedied along with the symptoms. Externally, our technicians removed a section of render in contact with the floor. In its place, new bell drip beads were installed at the base of the wall. These angle away from the wall’s surface, diverting water away from the base of the wall where it can ingress into a property. This would prevent future moisture from bridging over the new DPC.
Although not addressed by our technicians, our surveyor also recommended further investigation into two areas of potential penetrating damp related to an existing chimney and the roof guttering. By treating these in combination with our technicians’ work, the property would once again be watertight and fit for habitation.
Results
Our client was delighted with the work completed by our surveyor and team of technicians. They praised the team’s attention to detail and were provided peace of mind that their property would remain watertight once the other highlighted issues were resolved. Timberwise installed a full remedial specification to treat the affected internal and external walls, backed by a 10-year guarantee to ensure its success for years to come.
Do You Want Help with a Damp Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in North London are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 020 8226 6486, or you can request a survey online.
