Client: Beechcroft Construction
Timberwise was called in to survey this pub in Telford. Constructed from solid brick and external render in the early 1900s, the property was occupied and furnished at the time of the survey.
Our surveyors were restricted by:
- Fitted units
- Tiled walls
- Furniture
- Fitted floor coverings
- Wood panelling
Our specialist inspection was also restricted to the ground floor seating area. To get the most out of our survey service, it is always recommended to let our team inspect as much of the property as possible. Damage from damp and fungal decay can present itself in various areas of a building, but the true cause of the damage may be an external feature or part of the structure outside of the building or room.
Damp Observations
A combination of rising damp and dampness not caused by rising damp was found in the ground floor seating area. The moisture content of the interior was detected by our conductivity meters.
Conductivity meters are non-destructive and only give an indication of moisture content on masonry but a true reading on timber. Destructive testing would give a more precise moisture content reading and can be carried out by surveyors with the written permission of the client.
Recommendations
Timberwise proposed several works to eliminate the existing damp damage and ensure that this area of the property would be protected against further moisture ingress. Firstly, our professional team would put down preparation works such as taping down dust sheets and hardboards where necessary in the designated work area to protect from dust and debris.
Our specification would include the removal of existing wall plaster from the areas and heights indicated on the sketch of the property created by our surveyors. Debris would be placed into bags and removed from the site.
A Vapour Barrier would be formed onto wall and wall joints that require repair. The surface would be prepared by removing any plaster remains and wooden plugs, pointing up any large holes and voids from below the line of the DPC. Where the original plaster extends below the floor slab, this would be raked out, cleaned and the void filled to the floor level. A vapour-proof slurry coating would then be applied to the wall-floor intersection up to the DPC installation level. This joining technique will considerably reduce moisture vapour condensing on both the underside of the plasterwork and the rear surfaces of the skirting boards, extending their life spans.
Based on the visual inspections and instrumental readings obtained at the time of the survey, we recommended the installation of a DryTek DPC system to the walls with moisture ingress. This installation would be in accordance with the PCA Code of Practice and British Standard 6576. Our technicians would drill holes in mortar joints at pre-determined centres and install the system. Similarly, they would drill out and inject vertical barriers to prevent abridgement from adjoining masonry.
As moisture rises from the ground into walls, it carries with it soluble salts which may be deposited in the wall fabric and plaster. As the moisture evaporates from the wall, these salts attract and absorb moisture particularly when relative humidity is high. It is for these reasons that re-plastering after remedial damp proof course injection is often highly recommended.
To the remaining high ground levels outside the property, we recommended that soft retardant render coating should not be used alone as a waterproofing medium in areas where the adjacent ground and floor levels are higher.
Results
Our specialist technicians carried out a thorough survey of this historic pub property, in spite of restrictions, to offer our client the very best recommendations based on our findings and tested industry knowledge.
Do You Want to Request a Survey?
Our dedicated and experienced team in Shrewsbury are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call 0121 412 9315 or you can request a survey online.
