Essex Damp Proofers
Timberwise has been the leading experts in damp proofing in Essex for over 50 years. Over that time we have had many homeowners come to us with their damp problems and leave as satisfied customers with a damp free property.
Our specialist team covers all damp related issues such as condensation, rising damp and penetrating damp. We also cover timber decay and infestation related issues such as woodworm and dry rot.
We are proud of the relationships we have made with our customers across the North East London area as well as taking pride in ensuring that our services are carried out to the highest of standards. We carry our property care services in Essex as well as other areas including: Chelmsford, Witham, Braintree and Billericay.
Request a Survey
- PCA Registered
- Checkatrade Approved
- Which? Trusted Trader
- No Obligation Quotes
- Reliable Property Surveys
- Local To You
- Fast Service
Need a Damp Survey?
Call or Click:
Damp Affecting Buildings in Essex
Essex is a county located in the South East of England which has a population of 1.8 million people with Chelmsford the only town in the area. There are more than 14,000 buildings in the county and approximately 1000 of these buildings are listed as Grade 1 or 2 for importance. Examples of this type of architecture are the Grade 1 listed Hedingham Castle, Colchester Castle, and Thaxted Guildhall.
Grade listing buildings can be vulnerable to damage from timber-related issues such as dry rot and woodworm. This is due to the fact that Grade listed buildings were built more than 100 years ago meaning these buildings have become damaged over time. This has would mean the potential for dampness to affect the most vulnerable areas of the property.
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.
Damp Proofing Carried Out By Our Essex Team
Damp can be a serious issue for your property if not treated correctly and efficiently. Dampness can affect a number of properties and can occur as a result of a number of reasons including the failure of a damp proof course or lack of maintenance of the property.
The most important part of the damp proofing process is correctly identifying the damp issue. This so that the correct remediation techniques can be applied so that moisture can be prevented from causing more damage in the future.
Further damage can occur if the damp were to pass through the fabric of the walls or floors which can lead to structural damage or timber decay within the property.
Our Essex damp proofing experts can provide a full inspection of the property, the surveyors will diagnose the damp issue that is affecting both the interior and exterior of the property.
The surveyor will then diagnose the type of the damp which is affecting your property, as well as, providing a report detailing which type of treatment may need carrying out along with any associated costs.
Dry Rot Treatment in Essex by the Experts
Dry rot is a timber decay issue that is a serious problem if left untreated. Dry rot affects properties with its ability to progress extensively throughout the timbers within a property. If dry rot isn’t effectively treated then it can become a real problem for your property.
Having a dry rot survey carried out by a qualified surveyor will provide you with an in-depth inspection to identify the extent of the dry rot outbreak within the property.
Qualified in Treated Timber and Damp Issues
As members of the PCA, we can be trusted to rectify any problems associated with timber and dampness. The PCA is the trade association that represents damp, timber and waterproofing specialists across the UK.
To ensure that our surveyors are fully qualified they must undergo thorough training to gain the recognised CSRT (A Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment )or CSSW (Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) qualification.
A Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment will be efficient and diligent and be able to identify the problem as well as put forward the correct remediation specification.
What Our Customers Say
Contact the Essex Damp Proofing Specialists
If you are having any problems related to damp or any other the property care issues discussed then get in touch with our damp proofing specialists in Essex.
We have a number of accreditations our company is associated with, including the Property Care Association, Basement Waterproofing Association,
You can get in touch with Timberwise by simply calling 01245 658 144 or request a survey online.
All calls to this location are answered by the Regional Office that covers this area
Get in touch:
Suite 349, Dorset House, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1TB
Property Care Specialists
- PCA Registered
- Checkatrade Approved
- Which? Trusted Trader
- No Obligation Quotes
- Reliable Property Surveys
- Local To You
- Fast Service
