What we do.
We offer various Surveys including defects analysis and diagnosis, damp and mould, timber rot and beetle infestations plus of course we can also help with house viewings and project support and guidance (see our other pages) plus of course we can help by specifying traditional materials and to ensure your lovely old building receives the treatment it deserves.
Heat, moisture passage and ventilation are essential in traditional buildings, but a large number of modern products are simply impermeable.
In addition, all buildings have to endure 'dead loads' (these are the physical combined weights of every individual building element and furnishing) plus they also have to endure further 'imposed loads' such as weather (winds, rain and snow add even more forces that must be transmitted down through the structure and into the ground), so sometimes we're amazed when we see some of today's 'Frankenstein' period buildings that are still standing!
Understanding moisture passage and managing it correctly is far better than thinking we can simply block it! Ensuring a healthy and hygienic home, for both the building itself and it's occupants, is always far more important than thinking that 'slapping' chemicals around will ever stop it.
For example: cement based mortars and renders covered in spirit bourne "waterproof" Pliolite Resin based exterior paints do not allow for good moisture passage (if any!) and moisture, created internally, becoming trapped within the fabric of external walls can cause "interstitial condensation" which can lead to structural damage through internal freezing and thawing of the walls themselves in the winter months (and subsequently a colder home), whilst also promoting mould and fungal growth in the warmer months.
Most people are concerned (some even obsessed) with keeping draughts and rainwater out, but don't ever seem to consider how he vast amounts of moisture, that we all create inside the home even while sleeping, can get out, it's a two-way street:
The term "breathability" is thrown around everywhere today, but we much prefer the term "moisture vapour permeability" (afterall, we've never seen a house with lungs!).
Furthermore "breathability" always seems to get conveniently forgotten about when it comes to double & triple glazing or blocking up/removingchimneys (never, ever block a chimney: see links)
Our fees vary due to travelling distances and property size, so please do "contact us" below with your issue, we'll be happy to help.
Alternatively you may want to try our brand new
'Distance Survey' page - see links.