Oxford Damp Proofing Treatment
We have a team damp proof specialists in Oxford who are experts in providing treatments for all damp issues including rising damp, condensation and penetrating damp. We also provide services in woodworm treatment and dry rot treatment.
Our highly qualified Oxford surveyors and technicians can provide a full inspection of the property on the best procedure to get rid of damp, treat the affected timber from wood rot and woodworm. We also provide structural waterproofing solutions to your damp basement problem.
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An Overview and the Damp Problems that Occur in Oxford
Oxford is a city that is based in the South East of England. The city is the basis for its prestigious university which was built in the 12th century. It is the oldest University in the English speaking world and there 38 colleges surrounding the University of Oxford.
The city has a population of 150,000 and the main industries being car manufacturing and making vehicle parts. Oxford also has a biotech industry in the area.
Towards the centre of the city, the type of housing is normally Victorian and terraced housing. This type of housing is susceptible to rising damp due to the property either having a failed damp proof course or not having a damp proofing solutions in place.
Older housing can also be prone to other damp problems such as penetrating damp through poorly maintained external defects.
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 From Our Specialists in Oxford
Penetrating damp occurs due to poor maintenance of the property. An example of this is that if there were heavy rainfall and your property has damaged guttering then water would penetrate through the property.
Condensation is a problem that can occur where the warm moist air cannot leave the property and lands on a cold surface.
One of the recent projects Timberwise has carried out was at Oxford University, where there was dampness below ground and our damp proofing experts were on hand to meet the customer’s needs. The building’s walls and floors were susceptible to dampness due to the age of the building means the walls will continue to rot over time.
The surveyors assessing the building found that the best solution to solving the dampness issue in the building was by installing an internal cavity membrane and perimeter drainage channel. Once both waterproofing systems were both installed the customer was left with a dry basement to use for extra living space.
Damp and Timber Survey With Our Oxford Team
Having either damp, dry rot and woodworm affect your property in Oxford can be a daunting task to deal with. Having a qualified property care surveyor inspect your property is essential to sorting out the damp and timber problem fully.
When looking to sell or buy a property the real estate company will ask for your property to have a damp and timber survey carried out.
Having a damp and timber survey carried out will ensure that all your damp and timber issues will be checked at your property in Oxford. By requesting a survey online the qualified surveyor will provide a full inspection of the property assessing all areas for any potential problems.
Dampness can occur for a number of reasons from poor property maintenance to not having a damp proof course in place. All the information regarding the treatment of the timber and damp issue will be covered in the damp and timber report.
If there are works that need to be carried out such as the installation of a damp proofing course or a tanking system, the costs will be explained by the surveyor.
What Our Customers Say
Contact Our Oxford Damp Proofing Specialists
Do you have damp and timber problems occurring in your property? Get in touch with our damp proofing experts in Oxford who can provide invaluable knowledge and understanding of property care. Our highly qualified surveyors can diagnose the problems effectively and recommend the best damp and woodworm treatment for you and your property.
We have over 50 years of experience in treating properties in the Oxfordshire area. Timberwise are members of the PCA, Basement Waterproofing Association and Which? Trusted Traders. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our timber and damp experts by simply calling 01865 389 720 or booking a survey online.
All calls to this location are answered by the Regional Office that covers this area
Get in touch:
Suite 107, 94 London Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9FN
Property Care Specialists
- PCA Registered
- Checkatrade Approved
- Which? Trusted Trader
- No Obligation Quotes
- Reliable Property Surveys
- Local To You
- Fast Service
