top of page

Request More Information

original?tenant=vbu-digital
original?tenant=vbu-digital
original?tenant=vbu-digital

Rising damp is usually found by the signs of a damp line appearing on the inside wall. This is often combined with damage to skirting board and decorations.

The result of this rising damp is structural damage to interior render- plaster systems. It should also be noted that recent findings by the asthma foundation concluded that damp rooms can increase the risk of developing asthma. Rising damp occurs when ground water is allowed to rise vertically through walls by capillary action and is caused by the breakdown of, bridging of, or non existence of, a damp proof course (DPC). Thus the dampness is rising through the actual mortar beds rather than through the brickwork itself.

If left unchecked it will rot any floor joists and other interior timber it comes into contact with, culminating in the development of wet rot or dry rot if conditions of lack of ventilation allow.

Plastering systems designed for replacing

damaged or salt contaminated plaster as part of a rising damp treatment system need to fulfil two key functions:


∘ Prevent the passage of residual moisture reaching the decorative surface during the drying process.


∘ Prevent the passage of hygroscopic salts from the underlying masonry to the new decorative surface in order to prevent further spoiling.

Rain penetration through masonry (known as penetrating damp) is a common problem in buildings – particularly in the case of those of solid wall construction. The problem is also increasingly common in buildings of cavity wall construction where cavity wall insulation has been poorly installed or used in walls that are not suitable for cavity wall insulation. Other paths through which rain can cross through a cavity wall include incorrectly positioned wall ties and mortar obstructions in the cavity.

Request More Information

Name*

Email Address*

Message*

original.png
original?tenant=vbu-digital

The most frequent insect pest in wood in buildings in the UK is the common furniture beetle, Anobium punctatum, better known as woodworm.

It has a 5 year life cycle, maximum. We need to look at wood preservatives and their performance - wood treatment is always aimed at breaking the egg laying cycle - so what is that cycle and how does it influence insecticide treatment?

Common furniture beetle starts life as an egg; these are laid on a suitable timber surfaces - but some of these surfaces are cracks and crevices, end grain and, very importantly, down the old emergence holes in pupal chambers and tunnels. The larvae hatch, bore into the sap wood when they remain causing the damage; the larvae are the feeding and growing stages and are by far the longest stage of the insect's life cycle.

At some stage the larva moves close to the surface and constructs a pupal chamber in which it pupates. Between May and August the adult emerges from its pupal skin and chews its way out leaving the familiar woodworm holes. When they cut their way out they do not feed! When emerged they mate and lay eggs, frequently rapidly and very often down the old emergence holes in the pupal chambers and tunnels, i.e.. well below the surface. Indeed, both mating and egg laying can take place within the emergence hole itself.

original?tenant=vbu-digital

Dryzone is a special damp-proofing cream that is introduced along the mortar course at regular intervals by injecting it into pre-drilled holes. The Dryzone then diffuses before curing to form a continuous water-repellent barrier. This prevents the damp from rising up the wall. Since the 1950s, liquid chemical injection systems, which work in a similar way have been used to treat rising damp with a high degree of success.

original?tenant=vbu-digital
original?tenant=vbu-digital
original?tenant=vbu-digital
original?tenant=vbu-digital

Wet rot is a term of general classification covering all the wet rot species of decay, one of the most common being Coniophora puteana.

Treating outbreaks of Wet Rot is generally less involved than those associated with Dry Rot. The works will normally involve the replacement of the decayed timbers only, however it is still vital to ensure that the moisture source is eliminated or at least isolated from the timber.

Our fully qualified surveyors are able to identify the nature, type and extent of the dry or wet rot, identify the cause and source of moisture and recommend the solution with a full specification and the cost of the repair.

Our fully trained technicians will carry out the specialist work using only the safest chemicals available for the specific treatment.

original?tenant=vbu-digital

A survey will be able to identify the full scope of any dry rot problem. Using specialist surveying tools the progress of any dry rot infestations can be checked in concealed areas within a property. If a survey reveals the presence of dry rot then the dry rot treatment recommended will depend on the severity of the dry rot outbreak. 

bottom of page