Rising Damp Treatments in Bradford: What Is Rising Damp?

Rising damp is the general term for water that enters the fabric of a building. Water is absorbed from the surrounding ground into walls and floors. This causes damage to a property over a long period of time. Also, the moisture often brings with it, groundwater salts and other contaminants. These contaminate building materials and decorations. This is often due to the lack of, or failings of adequate DPC (damp proof course).

Damp Proofing in Bradford: DPC, Damp Proof Course

A damp proof course is a physical barrier which allows some water movement by capillary action. It is often possible to install a remedial damp proof course to control water rising from the ground. We can also do this work if the physical barrier is absent, broken down or has any damage.

In some types of buildings, rising damp is a commonly encountered problem. However, it is often misdiagnosed. Therefore, it is important that an investigation into dampness is undertaken by a trained and competent surveyor.

Homeshield surveyors recognise and understand the problem. This is because all our works is carried out by fully qualified staff . Also, our work is completed in accordance with the latest B.R.E and B.S.I requirements.

Our Cure

Firstly, we carry out an inspection and establish the best treatment for your property. We do this through our experience and knowledge of damp and its causes. Most importantly, this is the initial step to make your home damp free.

The next step is the cure. We inject a water repellent cream. We insert this by the use of an applicator gun through a series of holes in the mortar joints. Once we install the cream, the water within the damp wall will defuse the cream where it is most needed before curing to form a water repellent resin.

Damp Proofing Services In Bradford:

Damp proofing is a general term that covers the methods and treatments used to prevent damp from being absorbed through walls or floors into the interior of a property. Issues such as damp and rot can eventually cause structural damage to your property. Therefore, it is essential to identify the signs of damp as early as possible to help prevent any further damage.

If the physical barrier of damp proofing (to walls or floors) in a property is damaged, absent or bridged in any way it can potentially lead to building problems such as Wet and Dry Rot and Rising Damp.

This is where an expert Homeshield surveyor can help. We carry out a  thorough survey and inspection. From this, our fully qualified and accredited staff will identify any issues and action which we may need to take. This could be a DPC (Damp Proofing Course) which is a preventative barrier of slate, bitumen or plastic membrane built into the walls of a property about 150mm above ground level. This is to prevent damp rising through the walls.

Damp Proofing in Bradford: Basement Conversions

Basement conversions are a brilliant way to maximise your property’s potential and space. The basement is often a forgotten land or no go area in a home. This no longer has to be the case with help from Homeshield.

At Homeshield, we use a system of specialist concrete, plastic membranes and pumps to create a dry usable space with lots of headroom, easy access and as much natural light as possible. Contact us now to discuss your needs and we will be more than happy to offer our help and advice.

Our Surveyors work with you to fully understand your requirements and provide a workable solution. Our technicians update you throughout the design process to ensure it meets your needs. All of our solutions comply fully with BS8102 and Building Standard requirements.

In a basement or cellar conversion, we use membranes to cover the walls and the floor. This allows water to collect in one place where it can be pumped into a nearby sewer or drain. We then seal the membranes together because this will effectively resist the ingress of damp and water. Finally, we completely cover the membranes with plasterboard.  Whilst we carry out the work, we also neatly contain all services such as electrical cables and pipes behind the plasterboard. This offers a clean, aesthetically pleasing wall.

For your satisfaction, we offer after care and support on all the works we carry out.

Damp Proofing in Bradford: Wall Tie Replacement

According to BRE research out of nine million dwellings constructed with cavity walls, over two million suffer wall tie corrosion or failure and are in need of specialist remedial wall tie replacement.

Often the problem is found to be exacerbated by insufficient ties having been installed during construction. This is where Homeshield intervene.

The first step in our repair programme is to carry out a survey by one of our expert surveyors. From this we can determine the extent of the problem.

Firstly, the position of the existing wall ties is plotted using a metal detector. Then we use an endoscope to examine their condition. We may have to remove bricks for the physical examination of sample ties. Following this, the next step is to install replacement ties.

We offer a range of alternative wall tie designs including resin, mechanical or cementitious. This all depends on the type and condition of the masonry involved. In many cases, we isolate the existing ties to prevent further corrosion.

Replacement ties are available in differing lengths to suit cavity widths up to 110mm. These are formed from austenitic stainless steel. All the designs incorporate a centre drip to prevent transmission of water across the cavity.

Damp Proofing in Bradford: Dry and Wet Rot

The main cause of rot is moisture in timbers. This is because fungus which destroy wood, feed off this moisture. As a result, visible signs of dry rot or wet rot damage appear on the affected timber. Wet and Dry rot spores will only develop and take hold of timbers if the environmental conditions are correct.

Dry Rot

Dry rot can be a problem in any property. Therefore, it is essential that you identify signs of dry rot before further damage is done. If you notice the following, then it could indicate a dry rot problem:

• A distinct mushroom smell.
• White fungal growth with yellow and lilac tinges.
• Deep cracks appearing within wood.
• Damage to both soft and hardwood timbers.

Homeshield’s professional dry rot service begins with a thorough inspection conducted by a qualified surveyor. This may require us to remove some plaster, skirting or paneling. As this allows us to establish the full extent of the dry rot and its causes.

After we complete a survey, we discuss our findings and present a solution. Our surveyor will then arrange a suitable date with you to carry out any work.

Following this, our technicians will come and rectify your dry rot problem. Our Homeshield experts will take the following steps to rid your home of dry rot:

• Firstly, we stop the source moisture.
• We then remove the damage to the area(s).
• After this, we replace Timber(s).
• Finally, we treat the Dry Rot.

Wet Rot

Wet rot can also be a lethal affliction to any timbers in your home. As with all works we undertake, our Homeshield surveyors will conduct an extensive Wet Rot Survey or property inspection. This allows us to properly assess the extent of the rot problem and decide whether there is a need for treatment. As with dry rot, the treatments are largely similar. Homeshield have decades of experience in irradicating properties of rot, both dry and wet.

Damp Proofing in Bradford: Condensation and Mould

The most common form of dampness in buildings is condensation. As a result, this can lead to peeling decorations, unhealthy living conditions and potentially risky mould growth.

When the temperature inside a property drops, the air becomes saturated. Saturated air can no longer hold onto the moisture created in homes. So it migrates to the coldest surfaces such as walls and windows.  Some of the more common symptoms of damp are:

• Water droplets on windows or walls.
• Mould on walls, curtains, carpets, bathroom tiles and window sills.
• Decaying window frames, particularly stains and wet corners.
• Peeling wallpaper.
• Musty/damp smells around the property.

Excessive humidity and moisture can build up because of a lack of adequate ventilation and modern occupancy styles . The poor indoor air quality can lead to serious health issues for asthma and allergy sufferers including those with breathing difficulties. At Homeshield we offer a wide and varied range of eco-friendly and innovative ventilation systems. These designs deliver homes with fresh, filtered air.

Damp Proofing in Bradford: Structural Waterproofing

In basement construction or refurbishment, cavity drain membranes provide an alternative to conventional cementitious tank systems. These work by holding water back.

At Homeshield we specialise in structural waterproofing. Consequently, we are able to consider and adapt to the nature of the building and our customers design requirements. This is to ensure that the correct method of waterproofing is selected. We execute our work to the highest standard. Typically, we install cavity drain membranes to the walls and floor because this directs water into drainage channels. As a result, the channels then allow water to be directed to sumps or drains so that it can be removed safely from the building.

In existing structures, these are the types of waterproofing systems most commonly used: Type A – Barrier/External protection. Type B – Integral protection and Type C – Cavity drainage systems.