Damp Treatment in a Property in Burnaby Road, Westbourne

THE BRIEF

A resident in Burnaby Road, Westbourne reached out to us in May 2022, having spotted signs of damp in their ground floor flat. They asked us to carry out a full survey of their property to see what the issue was.

Using a moisture metre, we inspected the rooms of the property. High readings were found when scanning lower down the walls - a clear indicator of rising damp. We also noticed the flat was impacted by penetrating damp, likely due to a high external ground level.

If you’re not sure how to tell varieties of damp apart, read our guide to the differences between rising and penetrating damp.

In this case, both types of damp were caused by the original slate damp proof course breaking down.

When considering possible approaches, we decided the best course of action would be to remove the contaminated material and apply a fresh damp proofing course. This would repel moisture and prevent issues like mould and fungi growth.

THE METHOD

First, we equipped proper PPE and cleared the affected rooms of furniture. Anything that could not be moved was protected with a secure cover.

Then came the treatment itself. To deal with the rising damp, we carefully removed the defective render and plaster, stripping the walls back to masonry. We then installed a chemical damp proofing course to prevent the damp from returning.

Damp proofing creates a barrier between moisture in the air and the external brickwork of a property. In this case, it involved injecting a silicone-based formulation into a series of holes we drilled into the base of the walls.

The masonry was then tanked and covered with a lightweight render system.

To deal with the walls affected by penetrating damp, we installed a cavity membrane system. Cavity membranes are used to control water after it has penetrated the structure, and is the best line of defence against penetrating damp returning.

After installing the membrane, we constructed a frame to hold the membrane in place. We then dry lined it, and finished it off with a plaster coating.

Once the plaster had fully dried, the flat was free from the hazards posed by rising and penetrating damp, making it safe to live in once more.

SPECIALISTS IN DAMP TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

If you've noticed damp in your home, don’t leave it unchecked. Get it looked at as soon as you spot the warning signs. The quicker it’s treated, the easier it is to get rid of.

At Croft, damp prevention and treatment is our bread and butter. We’re specialists in identifying and removing damp from all types of property, and will protect your home from future problems with our powerful damp proofing courses.

With our extensive training and over four decades of experience, you can trust us to make your home safe again.

Book a property survey today, either online or by calling us at 01202 737739.

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