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

Bridged or failed damp proof course?

Another familiar story of a damp investigation for suspected rising damp on a property in York, North Yorkshire where a client contact us with regards to providing a survey and quote for a damp proof course.

The property is a 1960’s three bedroom right semi detached house constructed under a pitched roof with concrete roof tile covering and external … read more

Electrical moisture meters are invaluable tools which are used to aid surveyors in damp diagnosis. Moisture meters are a hand held device used to profile the distribution or pattern of dampness throughout a building and determine the quantity of moisture present in materials.

Electrical moisture meters are the ideal tool to use in pre-purchase surveys or where damage limitation is required as they are clean … read more

Calcium Carbide Meter – ‘Speedy Meter’

A calcium carbide meter is another moisture testing device used to aid surveyors in damp investigations and diagnosis.  Performing a calcium carbide test is however disruptive and for this reason these test are usually avoided in damage limitation surveys such as, pre-purchase inspections unless permission is granted prior. This does not mean the use of these meters in a … read more

This article has been reproduced with kind permission from its author Mr Graham Coleman and the Property Care Association (PCA).

Graham Coleman is a Chartered Biologist (C.Biol), Member of the Society of Biology (MSB), a Member of the Institute of Wood Science (M.I.W.Sc) and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Specialist Surveyors and Engineers (F.Inst.S.S.E). He also has qualification in Chemistry and Botany.

Since … read more

Bricks vary in porosity, some bricks are soft and very porous such as common face bricks particularly modern LBC’s (London Brick Company), whilst others are more dense and will repel/resist moisture to a greater extent such as; engineering bricks or blue damp course bricks designed to be used in exposed wet areas.

On most modern buildings you will find dense engineering bricks specified below and … read more

A burst water pipe can be devastating especially when it goes un noticed which unfortunately is often the case. On a daily basis we inspect properties for damp and decay and after undertaking our inspections and diagnostic investigations identifying the true cause, we are amazed at just how many of our clients have wasted both time and money in un-necessary repairs prior to our visit.… read more

 Freezing pipes, burst pipes and Water Damage

A burst water pipe in your home can be devastating, when a pipe breaks it can often result in complete or partial flooding of the property damaging carpets, furnishings, plaster, decorations and personal belongings.  It is important to protect your water services both waste drainage and service water to defend against the risk of pipes freezing and bursting … read more

Water damage can be one of the most destructive forms of attack to a building and its material components.  When water ingress occurs it can cause severe deterioration to masonry brickwork or concrete walls, spoiling and delamination of plaster and decay to structural timbers.

More importantly failing to deal with water damage promptly and efficiently can have serious consequences as a client of ours nearly … read more

Double Dutch when it comes to floor laying

We were recently instructed by a shop fitting outfit to investigate the floors of a commercial property in Coney Street, York occupied by The Rituals, home and body cosmetics store. The shop was recently refurbished just before Christmas 2012 which involved the laying of a bespoke parquet floor fitted by a specialist flooring company from Holland.

Shortly … read more