Published: 19 January 2023
Introduction:
Ms D approached Prokil to undertake a homebuyer’s survey prior to purchasing a 1915 apartment in Wadhurst, Kent, in order to check for damp and timber problems.
Damp survey findings:
Initial observations were made from outside the property at ground level. The building was an end of terrace, split-level apartment within a large, converted property.
The guttering and down pipes were blocked, with evidence of spillages affecting the property internally. There were a couple of window frames upstairs which appeared to have been repaired previously, although degradation was still evident.
In the downstairs cloakroom and two areas of the kitchen, there was clear evidence of rising damp on two internal walls. The retrofitted concrete floor was bridging the DPC of the wall, as the damp proof membrane of the floor was not adequately connected to the DPC due to the raised ground levels outside the property. As a result, hygroscopic salts and minerals had been absorbed via capillary action and had spoilt the plaster on internal walls.
Work carried out:
It was decided that in the affected areas, the customer would require a new damp proof course to be installed and a specially formulated render mix applied to internal walls. Find out how we tackled rising damp affecting the cloakroom below.
Step 1:
After the client had ensured that the skirting boards had been removed from the downstairs cloakroom, we chiselled away all contaminated plaster.
Step 2:
We injected a new chemical damp proof course into the internal walls to prevent groundwater from penetrating through from the outside.
Step 3:
We applied a waterproofing render to the interior walls for additional protection against damp.
Finished result:
The client was left with all affected damp plasterwork removed and a new, smooth, and damp-free plaster applied, ready for the next step in the redecoration process.
Need damp treatment or prevention in your property? Prokil’s surveyors hold CSRT and PCA qualifications, and our technicians operate to PCI standards whilst ensuring they stay informed on all up-to-date property care methods and technology.
When you choose to work with Prokil, you can expect a friendly, professional service that will handle your damp problem quickly and thoroughly. Our testimonials speak for themselves!
Contact our friendly team for a quote or call 0800 048 9488. We’d be delighted to discuss your requirements and discuss the best solution for your property.
