in-situ remedial damp repairs to concrete floor and the problems associated with failure.

Gravimetry is basically the quantitative technique which measures mass or a change in mass during an analytical process. For example, we’ve probably all unknowingly undertaken this ourselves when stepping on scales during a dieting regime or when in training. Effectively we’re measuring our own body mass and comparing this weight loss or gain to a prior measurement, this is basic gravimetry.

The gravimetric technique is used … read more

Today I revisited a property to take some equilibrium relative humidity readings in a hygrobox which I installed last week. The property is a new build which had floor screeds laid late last year. The clients are installing expensive oak flooring throughout and wanted to check the floors were dry prior to laying. I undertake these tests often for many flooring contractors and floor retailers … read more

Flooded garage in York due to failed water proofing system. BS8102 - Code of practice for protection of below ground structures against water from the ground

Dampness in buildings explained

Buildings and the materials used within their construction are complex. Many buildings will be constructed with a wide variety of different materials ranging from concrete, brick and plaster with a further variety of each such as cement, lime and gypsum.

When buildings become affected by dampness either through rising damp, penetrating damp or water leaks these materials can become contaminated by … read more

Thinking of buying a house?……………… If you read nothing else today, just read this!

We’re often asked by clients  do they really need a survey? and if so, should they have a survey before or after they buy?

The simple answer is “Yes and before” I’ll explain why.

The purpose of a survey is to establish the value and condition of a building/property prior to … read more

There should  be no greater reason for doing your homework when searching for a damp specialist than this latest example.  A Coventry conman who conned elderly victims in the Midlands out of thousands of pounds for unnecessary damp work. Do your research and avoid the conmen, visit the PCA (Property Care Association) website http://www.property-care.org/ for a professionally recognised, approved, credible damp specialist and avoid the … read more

A MORTGAGE VALUATION IS NOT A SURVEY……….

Many homebuyers commit to buying a property based on a mortgage valuation report under the illusion the property has been examined through the eyes of a surveyor, not realising the mortgage valuation is not a building survey.  Only one in five purchasers actually commission a building survey and yet four out of five think they do, because they … read more

So four weeks later, we returned to the property to undertake a further inspection and compare our findings to our initial report, provide a diagnosis and repair specification.

As mentioned in our first blog post (Part 1), the building displayed symptoms of a severe damp issue which appeared to be affecting the majority of original ground floor walls within the building.  The walls displayed … read more

Imagine this scenario, you’ve bought, renovated and extend your property into the prefect home, damp proofed the walls, re-plastered and redecorated.  After a few years you start to notice symptoms of damp appearing very rapidly and within days the plaster is spoiling, salting and skirting boards are beginning to decay and warp. The kitchen floor starts to crack and move and the drains backfill with … read more