Published: 24 August 2022
Introduction:
Mr. H, a homeowner in Hawkhurst, contacted Prokil Tunbridge Wells Office as he was concerned about rising damp spreading in his front lounge. Neil Harrold, our Damp and Timber expert surveyor went to visit the property for a full inspection.
The client had originally contacted another company to do damp proofing work, however, Mr. H had seen damp growing back within 3 months.
Arriving at the property, Neil conducted an external observation and suspected that there is no original Damp Proof Course (DPC).
Customer review:
Mr. H was very happy with the Prokil Tunbridge Wells’s team reliability, tidiness, courtesy, and workmanship.
Mr. H’s full review on Checkatrade:
“On time and superb workmanship, Sebastian is a true professional nothing was to much trouble and at the end of the job everything was cleaned up and debris removed. Highly recommended”.
Findings:
After the external observation was done, Neil carried out the inspection internally, using different types of protimeters. Neil checked the front lounge for any signs of damp or abnormalities, as directed by the client. There was evidence of rising and penetrating damp affecting the property.
High readings and visual signs of damp were detected around the fireplace (located in the front lounge).
Neil found that this phenomenon most likely happened due to the previous rendering of the original brick fireplace area, done by another company.
Neil stated: “This has then triggered the historic hygroscopic salts, chlorides, and nitrites that reside within the brickwork to be drawn out by the water within the products, which have been used to render this area”.
Work carried out:
Before:
Visible damp patches around the fireplace area. This is how the front lounge was found originally.
Step 1:
The site was suitably prepared with an impact-resistant protective floor covering. Contaminated plasterwork was removed from the affected area.
The timber was found to be in poor condition and required replacing.
Step 2:
The timber reveals have been rebuilt and plasterboard replaced. An anti-sulphate solution was used on the existing render, ready to be refinished.
Step 3:
The area has been skimmed and a water-proof fire-resistant render finish was fitted.
Finished result:
The contaminated area was cleaned up at the end of the treatment. All rubbish was removed and the site was left tidy and ready to be used.
For more information about our damp proof course survey and rising damp, please feel free to contact our lovely team.
Not the right location? Check out our Prokil branches across England.
