Damp Proofers in Harrogate
At Timberwise, we have local damp proofing specialists in Harrogate, who are able to provide all manner of guidance to solve all of your property care problems. We are a long established damp proofing company, since 1968, offering our customers the highest standards of quality and service.
We have been working with the people of Harrogate and North Yorkshire for over 50 years, so you can trust us to carry out the very best service possible. We pride ourselves on not just meeting but exceeding our customers expectations consistently so give us a call on 01423 847545.
Our surveyors are certified by the Property Care Association (PCA) and we are also accredited with the Basement Waterproofing Association, Which? Trusted Trader and Checkatrade.
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- PCA Registered
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- No Obligation Quotes
- Reliable Property Surveys
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What You Can Expect from a Damp Survey in Harrogate
Our Qualified Surveyors will:
Identify the type of damp issue within the property – be it rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation
Investigate the root causes of the damp by determining the source of the moisture
Analyse the existing damp proof course (if there is one) or inspect any problems with the building structure
Look out for potential future problems caused as a result of damp – stop issues before they become a problem
Provide you with an initial brief of what damp treatments might be needed in the property to keep it in tip top condition
Compile a full written report (in either hard copy or email form) detailing the issues along with what damp proofing works need carrying out
Covering the following areas:
How can we help?
How Do We Treat Rising Damp?
Rising damp can affect any type of building but it tends to be most prominent in older properties. The process of rising damp occurs when the bricks at the base of the wall draw the moisture from the ground. This moisture then moves up the walls via capillary action.
A damp-proof course is used to stop this process from happening but, if it has not been installed correctly or has become damaged over time, this can lead to moisture breaching the damp proof course and for rising damp to then occur.
To rectify your rising damp problem our specialist will carry out a full in-depth survey and then outline in a detailed report whether the existing damp-proof course can be fixed or whether a new damp proofing system will need to be installed.
How Do We Treat Penetrating Damp?
Penetrating damp is a form of dampness caused by water finding its way through to the inside of the property from outside as a result of damage and property defects such as:
- Defective guttering and pipes
- Windows have not been sealed properly
- Faulty pointing
- Bricks no longer having the ability to stop moisture from penetrating them
If you believe that penetrating damp is causing damage to your property, our specialist will carry out a full inspection of the property and identify what defect, or defects, are the cause of the penetrating damp problem.
Depending on the cause of the problem you may require the services of a third party, for example, if new guttering is required. If it is found that the brickwork needs protection from damp, then the surveyor will suggest that waterproofing of your brickwork and masonry should be carried out.
This though should only be done once the structural integrity of the brickwork has been sorted and any cracks, faults or damaged mortar have been rectified.
Condensation Control Solutions
Condensation is the most common form of dampness and the most frequent root cause is poor ventilation within the property. It is though important to note that penetrating damp or rising damp can also lead to condensation issues if left unchecked.
If your property is suffering from dampness, then this increases the amount of moisture in the air within the property which results in condensation becoming a secondary problem.
When the cause of condensation is not identified and rectified early enough then black mould growth will start to occur which can cause health problems to people, especially those that are the most vulnerable such as the young and the elderly.
To prevent condensation, a survey carried out by one of our specialists will identify how severe the condensation problem is and what action should be taken to get rid of the problem.
Our specialist will also provide advice and guidance on preventing it from occurring again in the future.
Woodworm Treatment
If you suspect that there is woodworm in your property, we recommend booking a survey with one of our experts. A Timberwise surveyor will always make sure that the survey process is carried out properly, and that the beetles are correctly identified.
The beetles must be identified correctly because there are several different types of woodworm beetle; the most common being the Common Furniture Beetle, which attacks softwood.
The Death Watch Beetle is the 2nd most common type of woodworm beetle. The Death Watch beetle affects hardwood, and is largely found in older stuctures, like old church buildings.
Our surveyors will check for exit holes, frass (the waste product of wood), and the type of timber that has been affected. Once these checks have been completed, our surveyor will provide you with a report outlining what the most effective woodworm treatment to be used will be to get rid of the particular woodworm from your property.
Dry Rot Treatment
Dry rot is a common problem and can cause serious damage to your property if not dealt with earlier enough. Dry rot can affect any type of property from small terraced housing through to large commercial buildings.
Dry rot causes damage to timber when the moisture content within the wood is over 20%. To treat dry rot, you should first have a qualified surveyor carry out an inspection at the property to identify where the damp problem has come from, only when the source of the dampness has been rectified can the dry rot problem be tackled effectively.
Once the surveyor has correctly identified the source of the damp problem and the type of damp, the surveyor will then instruct that the dampness will need to be treated first before any dry rot treatments can be carried out.
Once the damp problem has been treated, then the dry rot treatment process can start. This involves a number of steps which include: removing any affected timber from the property, applying dry rot treatment to the timber and finally, the replacement of the timbers.
If you would like further information or a detailed explanation of how dry rot treatments are carried out or would like to book a survey with your local specialist, then contact our team online.
Rising Damp Harrogate
Rising damp is a form of dampness that is present in walls as a result of the water underground or next to walls rising through the fabric of the wall. Rising damp often a particular problem in older buildings where the damp proof course (DPC) has become damaged in some way. This form of damp can also occur when the ground level around the house has been raised so it is higher than the damp proof course- such as by the addition of a path or driveway.
There are simple checks that can be made by yourself without the assistance of a damp surveyor to see if the potential for damp in the house. Just by looking and running your hands around the suspected rising damp areas will give a good indication if there is a rising damp problem present within the property.
The typical signs of rising damp include the following:
- Horizontal brown or discloured marks to be seen up to 1 meter in height on interior walls. These marks will be damp to the touch and are otherwise known as ‘Tide Marks’
- Plaster will visually appear to ‘bubble’ and peel away from the interior walls as a direct result of dampness
- Wooden beading and skirting boards will become damaged as well as brittle and eventually show visual signs of deterioration
- Mould thrives in damp conditions and will appear on walls
- Walls will feel cold and damp to the touch
Penetrating Damp in Harrogate
Penetrating damp is the common name for the process of moisture being built up horizontally through walls of the building. It can often be misdiagnosed as rising damp.
Penetrating damp can lead to further, more serious issues if left untreated such as wood rot, increased heat loss from the property, frost damage into masonry as well as unsightly water damage on both the outside and inside of a property.
Fortunately, there are several indicators that make identifying penetrating damp relatively easily. In particular, you should look out for:
- A presence of a damp musty smell
- Damage to internal walls (skirting boards) or external (roofing)
- Patchy black mould appearing internally on walls
- Watermarks appearing on the masonry
- Damaged timber as a result of the wood being saturated by damp – this can then lead to the presence of dry rot and other such wood rotting fungi
What Our Customers Say
Contact Our Harrogate Damp Specialists
For any property owner in Harrogate and the surrounding area with a damp issue, it is essential that the correct and most efficient damp proofing method is carried out to ensure that the property is made dry and damp free again.
Having a damp specialist in Harrogate conduct a survey at your property can ensure that the damp problem is correctly identified from both the interior and the exterior of the property.
The surveyors will also diagnose the type of damp issue that is affecting your property as well as providing you with a full report detailing what treatments we recommend need to be carried out.
By leaving a damp issue unresolved further disturbances and problems may occur. Damp can spread and progress through your property, potentially leading to more serious problems been present such as dry rot and wet rot.
If you need any help or advice with any damp issues that are causing problems to your property then call us on 01423 847545.
Property Care Specialists
- PCA Registered
- Checkatrade Approved
- Which? Trusted Trader
- No Obligation Quotes
- Reliable Property Surveys
- Local To You
- Fast Service
