Damp & Timber Specialists - Chemsford / Essex Area

[JMAC]

Hello,
Hope you can advise me. As previously posted here, I am trying to decide what work may be necessary in relation to damp and timber 'issues' with my 16th Century cottage.

I commissioned a full structural survey which noted 'serious damp' issues on the ground floor (there is no physical dpc as you might expect in a house this age) and I know some chemical dpc was put in place in 1993 but nothing since. The survey also questions the timber, pointing out wood boring infestations etc. Again, when I moved in in 1998 I got the whole lot treated (obviously physical signs are still there, it's part of the 'beauty' in my opinion.....)

I am trying to sell this house and I am certain the extent of work cited in this survey is excessive and is the usual 'hedge' by the surveyor to cover all bases and remove any recourse to him in future.

I need to get hold of two of three good, experienced companies to examine both the damp and the timber issues and provide me with a balanced set of advice based on my objectives to sell and the need to assure prospective buyers that any serious issues have been addressed.

I really value all the views on this site and would greatly appreciate names and contacts of any such reliable companies in the Chelmsford/Essex area?

Thankyou very much for your help,
John

 

[middi]

I am trying to think how chemically injected dpc could be applied to a 16th C. timber frame cottage.

I don't know anything about your cottage, but what usually happens with these cottages, especially over a period of time,
they end up being wire meshed and hard rendered to the exterior ( it is still widely practiced). This kind of "cladding", especially over a period of time, traps moisture at the base of the sole plate and studs which slowly leads to all sorts of hidden problems.

No damp or timber specialist can really tell you, or should be able to tell you accurately, what the solution to the problem is , unless a very close inspection to the affected aereas is carried out. This, is only possible if the affected aereas are exposed and not mortar rendered, or alternatively a miniature camera could be used in order to keep investigation damage to a bare minimum.

I am not a treatment specialist, I just know how they go wrong and how to mend them.

 

[Penners]

I am trying to think how chemically injected dpc could be applied to a 16th C. timber frame cottage.

Perhaps there's a brick plinth that was injected?

 

[middi]

Possible, Penners

As these low brick plinths only consist of a few brick courses laid with lime mortar, they rarely need much attention exept the odd repointing. They usually keep reasonably dry as long as any other "wet areas" being the contributing factor are first taken care of


Then again who knows what kind of alterations have taken place in the past.

 

[Nemesis]

Try Stephen Boniface - see PPUK's Agony Uncle page for details. Should be able to advise on both damp and timber and most other issues.

Essex area I think?


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