Damp Proofing Waltham Abbey

Damp Proofing Waltham Abbey Essex (EN9): It's not simply the fact that problems with damp look unattractive, they can also cause health problems and result in severe structural damages. Beneath those clumps of flaking paintwork, areas of peeling wallpaper and ugly damp patches, much more serious issues may be hiding, and if they're not resolved swiftly, could be very costly to repair. If you think you may have such issues you should call in an experienced Waltham Abbey damp proofing specialist to check your property, and suggest the best damp proofing strategy for your house.

Basically, when considering damp in the home there are 3 major problem areas:

PENETRATING DAMP

Penetrating damp can be caused by a variety of external factors such as: broken roof tiles, blocked cavity walls, unsound brickwork and damaged guttering or downspouts. Inside a building, overflowing baths or sinks, cracked shower trays and burst or leaking pipework, can trigger penetrating damp. If water is allowed to continue soaking into the woodwork and walls, the obvious signs over time will be broken or blistered plaster, peeling or bubbling paintwork and damp, dark patches on walls.

If you've got a leaky roof and it has been left untreated for a while, it can cause wet rot to develop in your roof timbers. This could prove to be very expensive, because if worse comes to worse the structural integrity of your roof timbers could be compromised, with the result that you'll need a new roof. A distinctive musty odour, a "spongy" feel to your woodwork and indications of black fungus growth, could all suggest the existence of wet rot.

Some simple measures can help to prevent this, such as: cleaning your roof & gutters and checking for leaks, examining water pipes for leaks and repointing brickwork. If you use the expert services of a knowledgeable Waltham Abbey damp proofing provider, they will check all these elements as a part of your complete damp proofing service.

CONDENSATION

One of the most common causes of dampness is condensation, and a lot of dwellings in Waltham Abbey have problems with this. When a cool surface comes into contact with humid, warm air, water forms as tiny droplets upon that surface. Where a high level of humidity is present, as in boiler rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, condensation is often caused by poor ventilation.

Wiping away any droplets of water that form, and making certain that there's enough ventilation in the affected areas, are amongst the most basic answers to such problems. The steps needed may involve the upgrading or installation of air bricks, extractor fans and cooker hoods, with the purpose of redirecting humid air to the outside of your property in Waltham Abbey.

With some homes moist air can be drawn in from the outside, simply making the situation worse. And the most effective way to ascertain the key areas that give rise to the situation, is to get an in-depth damp proofing survey done by a dependable Waltham Abbey specialist. An expert on this subject will be able to offer guidance, solutions and information on this matter, because for condensation problems to be controlled, any airflow and circulation in the home must be regulated effectively.

RISING DAMP

Homes constructed since 1875 in the UK have required a damp proof course to be installed as standard. It is possible that you may not have one fitted if your house in Waltham Abbey was constructed before this time. If you're experiencing rising damp in a property built after this time it's possible that your damp proof course has been damaged in some way.

Although notoriously tricky to distinguish, tide marks on walls, rotten or crumbling skirtings and white powdery deposits forming on walls or being discovered on floor surfaces, are all giveaway signs of rising damp. If you notice or think that you might have any of these issues, it's possible that you have a rising damp problem.

The initial step towards solving your problems with rising damp should simply be to check whether you have a damp proof course on the outside walls of your property in Waltham Abbey. To be sure of an adequate degree of protection the DPM needs to be above ground level by no less than 150 millimetres. You could dig away the surrounding soil to generate this space if it is currently not sufficient, or you could put in a higher damp proof membrane if the former is not plausible.

You may have more problematic issues if you learn that your DPM (damp proof membrane) is fine, and it may be that the dampness is seeping up from the ground, through your flooring, and into the walls, which will be even more worrying.

Waltham Abbey damp proofing professionals will quickly be able to ascertain the explanation for your rising damp issues, and using a number of different methods will soon deal with the problem. Older properties which either don't have a damp proof course, or have one that is damaged over a significant area, can be treated with a damp proofing injection cream. Holes will be drilled at intervals in the mortar joint, and a special nozzle is used to inject the cream, which then diffuses before curing to create an effective, horizontal water-repellent barrier.

If the damage to your DPM is too severe, or if damp proofing cream is not a satisfactory solution, you might need to put in a new damp proof course. This is the most extreme of repair works, however it might be the only resolution to your rising damp problems.

For minimal areas of membrane damage, another potential option could be to coat with a waterproof (bitumen based) latex emulsion. This will be applied beneath your current floor coverings, so tiles, carpeting and wooden flooring will need to be lifted before any work is done. In basements this is an especially efficacious treatment, and will form a part of the tanking procedure that is used to make spaces watertight. Your Waltham Abbey damp proofing technician may suggest the laying of building paper (a foil backed specialist membrane) before the bitumen coating has dried completely, additional protection in such trouble spots.

Tanking: The process of covering exposed surfaces in a waterproof paint in a below ground area such as a cellar or basement is known as "tanking". As this waterproof coating has to be applied to the base surfaces of walls and floors, all wall coverings and plaster must be taken off before work begins, and all surfaces prepared correctly. Once this paint has been put on, it must be permitted to dry out completely before replastering the walls and decorating over it. As it must be applied to a whole basement level or ground floor of a property, this is a very disruptive job. It's therefore preferable to call in more than one damp proofing expert to guarantee that this really is the only option.

DEHUMIDIFIERS AS A SOLUTION TO DAMP PROBLEMS

Dehumidifiers are an efficient way of reducing the moisture content in the air, so for issues with condensation they can be of help. The fact that these products just cover up the cause of the damp and don't get rid of it, is the main disadvantage with dehumidifiers. If you are experiencing mould or damp in any part of your home in Waltham Abbey, you should contact a competent damp proofing company for the most reliable advice.

FINDING A RELIABLE DAMP PROOF EXPERT IN WALTHAM ABBEY

The most reliable recommendations for local specialists when it comes to home improvements are generally friends and family. If possible you should see if you can obtain at least 2 or 3 different quotes from a range of companies, and before employing any particular damp proof providers, you should ask to see professional memberships and accreditations, as evidence of their trustworthiness.

Watch out for contractors holding the Certificated Surveyor of Timber and Dampness (CSTDB) or the Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatments professional qualifications, or companies who are members of the Property Care Association or the Damp Proofing Association (DPA).

You can be sure that your damp proofing specialist is well qualified and has the required working experience to perform a top notch damp proof service, if they are members of the DPA or PCA. Such professional memberships also means that there are certain guarantees for any remedial work performed.

PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) Waltham Abbey

If you're looking to reduce damp problems within your home or business premises in Waltham Abbey, PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) may be the ideal solution. Alleviating damp and mould in your home or condensation around your windows can be accomplished to reduce the humidity through Positive Input Ventilation. Achieving this is accomplished by the constant supply of fresh air. Improved air quality, reduced odours and pollutants, and decreased dust mite allergens can be achieved by constantly refreshing and replacing the air inside your property. For optimal performance, PIV systems should be installed in an attic space, and it is important to ensure that your home is reasonably airtight when considering this option. Gaps and spaces around windows or doors can cause fresh air to escape while allowing contaminated air to enter, as air, similar to water, takes the path of least resistance.

Black Mould

Black mould is a common issue in houses in Waltham Abbey, particularly those made largely of timber. This fungus is often considered to be toxic. It produces slime heads and conidia, which are a sign of its presence. If you discover this sort of mould in your residence in Waltham Abbey, it is essential to remove it immediately. If you think you could have black mould, it's important to have it checked by a professional. Experienced service providers in Waltham Abbey can conduct free tests and provide you with a free estimate. If you are concerned that the mould problem is damaging your health, a damp proof specialist will provide you with an inspection to determine the level of the issue.

The first step in removing mould is to clean the area with water and soap. You should also use a disinfectant such as bleach, which should kill mould spores. White vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are also effective disinfectants. However, you should be very careful while using bleach, as it can irritate or even burn your eyes. Also, make sure there is adequate ventilation in the space where you're working, to avoid inhaling the fumes.

Black mould is a highly infectious fungus. It can cause life-threatening infections in people with weaker immune systems. Often, it develops in cracks and other areas where the air does not circulate. Symptoms can include cauliflower-like lesions on the skin and large warts. The area may also be red or swollen. It can even affect the nails.

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Damp proofing surveys - article 202.

Damp Proofing Near Waltham Abbey

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Waltham Abbey Damp Proofing Tasks

There are a wide range of tasks that can be conducted by your local Waltham Abbey damp proofing specialist including rising damp prevention in Waltham Abbey, damp proofing in loft conversions, home damp proofing, damp treatments, damp proofing cream injections in Waltham Abbey, damp proofing estimates in Waltham Abbey, cavity wall construction in Waltham Abbey, chemical DPC injection, commercial tanking, damp proof membranes Waltham Abbey, damp proofing internal walls, damp proof coursing, wall damp proofing in Waltham Abbey, foundation damp proofing, plaster replacement, basement water-proofing, external damp proofing Waltham Abbey, positive input ventilation, invasive weed control, damp proofing brickwork, damp control, damp proofing inspections, condensation control, rising damp advice, damp proof injection, flood defence, the treament of efflorescence in Waltham Abbey, condensation treatments in Waltham Abbey, wood rot treatment, treatments for black mould, landlord damp proofing services, cementitious tanking, dry rot treatment, commercial damp proofing Waltham Abbey, dampcourse installation Waltham Abbey, and more. Listed are just an example of the activities that are carried out by those specialising in damp proofing. Waltham Abbey specialists will be happy to tell you about their whole range of damp proofing services.

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