In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Damp & Timber Proofing Specialists, B is for…..Builders Beware.
Atlantis Damp Proofing recently sent our expert surveyor to survey a local property near Knutsford, Cheshire. The property was a beautifully renovated cottage, which had obviously had a lot of investment put into it. Unfortunately, there were signs of decorative spoiling on the walls, suggesting that a damp issue was present. (more…)
In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Damp & Timber Proofing Specialists . G is for…… Gardens in your Gutter (causing internal damp).
We recently visited a property in Northwich, Cheshire to survey for damp detected on walls internally. A young family had been quoted over £5,000.00 to remedy a reported rising damp problem in their home. They felt this quote was too high and as such were getting some comparisons. One of their friends recommended speaking to us to get a reliable, honest advice from a CSRT expert.
They were right to get a second opinion. There was no rising damp. Using a surface moisture meter, it was identified that there were no readings at skirting board height, or up to a meter high (which would be typical of rising damp). There were, however, high moisture readings. These were in the corners of the rooms at both the front and back elevations on the ground and first floor at ceiling height. An external inspection revealed that the gutters were severely blocked with debris. There was green staining and algae on the wall next to the downspout. This fault corresponded exactly to the dampness that was detected internally.
The A-Z of Damp & Timber from Atlantis Damp Proofing and Timber Specialists – H is for Hygroscopic Salts
In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Damp & Timber Proofing Specialists , H is for…… Hygroscopic Salts and re plastering a damp wall.
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 the walls evaporating to the surface and leaving the telltale tide mark.
In this instalment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists, L is for Listed Buildings and the use of Electro Osmosis.
Today we went to survey a beautiful sandstone cottage in Tarporley, Cheshire and noticed a very old Electro Osmosis damp proof system in place. It got us to thinking. When would we recommend an Electro-osmosis system to be installed? (more…)
In this installment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists, N is for Nitrates and Rising Damp.
In the vast majority of cases we use our experience and moisture profiling techniques to determine whether the dampness in your home is, in fact, rising damp. It could be from another source entirely. It could be a leak, condensation or penetrating damp. However, if you so wish we can confirm our findings. We do this through what is known as destructive testing. With destructive testing, we can see if there are chlorides and nitrates in the wall sample. Nitrates and Rising Damp are inextricably linked.
In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Damp & Timber Proofing Specialists, O is for Owners can Help Themselves.
With the long weekend ahead of us, we know it should be the perfect opportunity to bring out the patio furniture and stock up on charcoal for the BBQ – but, it’s also the perfect time to give your property the “quick once over” to tackle any issues that may have come apparent during the winter months. Let’s take a look at some of the main problems you should look out for. (more…)
