The A-Z of Damp & Timber from Atlantis Property Preservation – H is for Hygroscopic Salts
In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Property Preservation , H is for…… Hygroscopic Salts and re plastering a damp wall.
What are Hygroscopic Salts?
When dampness has been rising from in the wall in your property for some time, the soluble salts (mainly Chloride and Nitrates) become concentrated where the water evaporates from the wall. These deposits of salts are Hygroscopic. This means they attract the everyday moisture found in your home. This ‘dampness’ is not caused by water rising up the capillaries of the building materials. It is due to the dampness in your walls evaporating to the surface and leaving the tell-tale tide mark.
In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Property Preservation, I is for Interstitial Condensation.
Dampness problems associated with condensation and mould growths occur in many buildings yet they are not always fully understood. Particularly by the general builder or unqualified damp ‘expert’.
Condensation results from a series of relatively simple and well established physical factors. It is directly related to standards and methods of heating, ventilating and insulating buildings.
Condensation is often confused with rising damp and we are committed to getting you the correct diagnosis. Dampness in buildings can arise from a number of causes and the majority tend to be physical defects such as rising damp, penetrating damp or lack of maintenance. In the case of condensation, the problem is generally self-imposed. The emphasis on improving insulation and the way in which properties are now heated and ventilated has created exactly the right conditions for increasing condensation and mould growth.
Local authorities and, indeed, any landlord receive large numbers of complaints about condensation and mould growth. Atlantis Property Preservation are committed to helping you resolve your condensation issue in an efficient and cost effective manner.
What is condensation?
Condensation as the name implies is water which has “condensed” from air on contact with a cold surface and it occurs when warm air cools down and releases the water vapour it was ‘holding’ into the air.
Air normally contains water vapour in varying quantities. Its capacity to ‘hold’ moisture is related to temperature; basically, warm air holds more water than cold air. When the air is saturated and it cannot contain any more water vapour at the existing temperature it is said to have a relative humidity (RH) of 100%. If the temperature of the air falls until saturation point occurs the air is at a critical temperature at which it cannot hold any more water – this temperature is known as the dew point. Any further fall in temperature will result in water vapour being forced to condense out as liquid water.
Condensation in a building usually occurs when warm air comes into contact with a cold surface; the air is cooled below its saturation point causing its excess water vapour to change into liquid water. Typically, you will actually see moisture on your windows, reveals, external walls, concrete lintels… in fact anywhere that can be seen as a ‘cold spot’ in relation to the normal room temperate. This surface condensation is often found on bay windows that are in their nature more exposed to the elements, low down corners of rooms (as we all know hot air rises) and behind furniture and curtains where air flow is restricted.
Does condensation only occur on surfaces?
In addition to this surface condensation, air inside a heated building usually contains more moisture than does the external air (its normally warmer inside that outside in the UK!). This means it is a higher pressure which tends to force the warm air through the structure taking the moisture with it. Most building materials except glass, metals, plastics and certain lined elements, are to some extent permeable and do not obstruct the movement of moist air through the structure. the warm moist air will eventually cool below its due point within the fabric of the building resulting in condensation. This form of condensation is interstitial condensation.
What is Interstitial Condensation?
Interstitial condensation is rather more complex than the surface phenomenon and presents a greater hazard. The resulting high moisture content can often go undetected for long periods until serious structural damage has developed such as timber decay. It can also render ineffective any insulation within the component where it occurs.
How can Atlantis Property Preservation help resolve your Interstitial Condensation Issue?
There are many factors to consider when protecting your property from interstitial condensation. Key considerations should be given to improving ventilation, controlling moisture generation and using an impervious moisture barrier, known as a vapour check, for example a foil backed plasterboard during the internal construction of the property.
If you’re concerned that your property is suffering from the signs of condensation, we are committed to helping you resolve your properties damp issue. Simply contact us now at Atlantis Property Preservation Ltd for an informal chat to agree a way forward.
In this instalment of A-Z of Atlantis Property Preservation, J is for Jamie Watkins.
Who is Jamie Watkins?
Hello everyone! My name is Jamie Watkins and I am owner and Managing Director of Atlantis Property Preservation. I thought I’d take the opportunity to tell you more about myself and the passion I have for providing excellence in all the services I provide throughout Cheshire.
I began my construction career working part-time in the building yard at Robert Gleaves and Sons in Frodsham. On leaving school, I started full time. I absolutely loved this job! Interacting with all the trades. Gaining a solid basic knowledge of customer service, pricing and material quantities.
Then, in my early 20’s I joined my dad and brother in their plastering business. I followed in the family footsteps to become a third generation plasterer. I perfected all the skills I needed to become a general plasterer and continued to grow my knowledge of building sites and activities. A lot of my dad’s work came from a Damp Proofing firm. My interest grew and I could see an opportunity to develop my own business in this area.
In 2009 I took the leap to set up on my own. I also completed my C.S.R.T. Qualifications through the Property Care Association (PCA). It was an exciting (if not a bit stressful!) time for me. I was on the tools, training up my own crew and working evenings and weekends to complete all the paperwork, but I loved it! I’ve always been a ‘people person’ and enjoyed giving honest, reliable expert to provide the solution that people needed.
I knew there was no need to ever try to pull the wool over the eyes of others and pretend solutions were needed when they weren’t. To this day, I operate on this philosophy. So do my team. I am genuinely saddened when I hear of the poor experiences my clients have had with previous ‘Damp Proofing’ companies and I believe all of our 5 star reviews reflect that we are just not like them.
My company continued to grow and became VAT registered in 2014.
In 2017 I also became a qualified member of the Wall Tie Installers Federation (WTIF). Their rigorous training progamme was an eye opener. It gave me the confidence to more actively pursue this business area
In 2016, my wife, Freya, officially joined the business and started to survey with me. She also gained her C.S.D.B. Qualification. Freya, shares my philosophy and is entirely committed to the vision that I began and we are sure we will fulfil our ambition of owning a strong family business that the next generation of Watkins’s can enjoy. My goal is not to compete with the big boys, I wish to remain a local, family run business with a passion for doing the right thing and continuing to enjoy happy customers.
I remain committed to providing Northwich, Warrington, Chester, Crewe, Altrincham and surrounding areas with expert, pragmatic, professional advice on Damp, Timber and Wall Tie fault diagnosis and recommendation. If you think we can help you, call us now on 0800 098 8277.
In this episode of A_Z of Atlantis Property Preservation, y is for ‘Years of Experience’.
Jamie has years of experience and established the company in 2009. On leaving school he worked in a local building yard in Frodsham, Cheshire. This gave him a solid foundation in building knowledge and customer service skills, and he loved his time here. He then decided to join the family plastering business. As a third generation plasterer, he learnt all the skills needed for all plastering work from his brother, dad and grandad.
Why specialise in Damp Proofing and Timber Treatments?
Whilst honing his plastering skills at the family business, one of the key customer was a damp proof course specialist. This gave Jamie the opportunity to begin to learn the additional skills needed to complete damp related remedial works.
Jamie understood the importance of using the right replastering and began to develop his understanding of diagnosing different types of dampness in buildings. Jamie also recognised that timber infestations and rots often go hand in hand with each other. This is because rot and infestations need moisture to thrive. Due to this, he decided to complete the 2 year qualification with the PCA to give him a more detailed knowledge of both damp and timber issues in buildings.
In 2009 he decided to set up on his own, and Atlantis was born. Since then, through hard work and determination, We have grown year on year. Jamie completed specific surveying qualifications for remedial treatments (CSRT), and became a member of the Property Care Association. This membership has been invaluable as annual audits ensure Atlantis approach remains best practice. Jamie’s wife, Freya also completed her CSBD (Certified Surveyor of Dampness in Buildings).
An interest in condensation solutions soon followed, and the confidence to advise on individual solution to condensation developed. In particular the amazing effects of PIV in properties with severe condensation issues was remarkable.
This knowledge, couple with decades of hands on experience gives you the confidence to trust our advice and expert opinion.
