In August 2022, a property owner in West Hill Road, Bournemouth reached out to the team at Croft Preservation. They had spotted signs of damp in their ground floor flat, and asked us to carry out a full survey to find out the extent of the damage.
While inspecting their property, our surveyor discovered a buildup of moisture low on several walls. Like many cases of rising damp, the cause was a breakdown of the original slate damp proof course. Moisture was able to bypass the failed damp proofing and reach the inside of the property, only becoming visible once it had penetrated through the plaster and paint.
If left unchecked, damp can lead to serious problems down the line; the main risks are weakened walls, ruined decor, and the growth of mould. Mould is especially dangerous, as it can pose a serious threat to the health of anyone living within the property.
To deal with the client’s damp problem, we planned to strip the defective render and plaster back to the masonry, install a new chemical damp proof course, tank the masonry with a waterproof render system, and finish it with a specialist breathable plaster. Following these steps would restore the flat back to a safe and clean state, and reduce the risk of damp returning in the future.
Our first step was to take care of the necessary preliminary work. We moved the majority of furniture and objects out of the room, laid an impact-proof cover over the client’s flooring, and placed sheets over any furniture that could not be removed.
Once the room was ready, we got to work stripping the walls of the defective materials. We then drilled a series of evenly-spaced holes into the bare masonry. We used these holes to inject a chemical damp proof course deep into the brickwork, which would repel damp and prevent it from rising into the internal structure of the property.
After completing the injections, we tanked the walls with a lightweight waterproof render system. This would protect against any damp that managed to get past the damp proof course. We finished off the walls with a specialist plaster designed to be breathable enough for moisture to ventilate.
Before leaving, we carried out a final clean of the room to make sure it was completely safe for inhabitation.
Ultimately, the property owner was left with clean and dry walls they could rely on to stay damp-free for years to come.
At Croft Preservation, we’ve been solving issues with damp for nearly 40 years. Our expertise means we can effectively fix and prevent any kind of damp problem within your home, while providing you with five-star customer service throughout the process.
Because our damp proofing systems are guaranteed to be fit for purpose for 20 years, you’ll have total peace of mind that your property will remain damp-free for decades to come.
Book a property survey online or by calling us at 01202 737739.
