The owner of this semi detached property in Woodlands,Doncaster,South Yorkshire had been experiencing what they knew to be a rising damp issue since buying the property 2 years ago.
They had been suffering with flaky paint, crumbling plaster and rotting skirting boards.
Because they had recently moved to the area for work reasons they were worried about finding a competent damp proofing contractor who would fix the job properly the first time so they could carry on with the renovation of their new property.
After looking online and reading our reviews on Facebook,Instagram,Google and so on they contacted us to carry out a free damp survey.
One of our trained surveyors called at the property within 24 hours of making the initial enquiry.
During our visit we were able to diagnose the cause of the problem which turned out to be exactly what they thought, which was rising damp.
Our surveyor discussed the remedial works required whilst on site advising on what work needed to be done and costs involved answering any queries they had with regards to the damp proofing works needed.
A written detailed report was then emailed within 24 hours detailing the works involved and the cost.
When we email our damp reports we also attached information relating to the type of work we recommend to each specific property.
This helps the potential customer to understand the work involved both before, during and after the damp proofing works.
After a couple of days the client accepted our recommendations and the work was scheduled to be carried out just a couple of short weeks later.
Upon arrival our damp proofing team explained what would be done and the house was prepared to receive the damp proofing treatment.
A skip was ordered to site for removal of all waste and dust sheets were put down to the floors to all areas of planned work.
Rising damp is caused by moisture in the ground around and under the property rising up within external and internal walls, causing internal decoration to become damaged.
Treatment requires removal of damp affected plaster to approx. 1m or 300mm beyond the last signs of damp.
After the plaster was removed a chemical damp proof course (dpc) was installed using a thixotropic cream.
Our thixotropic damp proofing cream is a very high concentration of water miscible active ingredient in a cream formulation that cleverly utilises the moisture already in a damp wall to aid its distribution.
Following the installation of the dpc , cavity drain membrane was installed to the brickwork which is more commonly known as tanking.
The membrane is a thin cavity membrane developed specifically for use when damp-proofing above ground walls subject to rising damp, penetrating damp or salt contamination.
Plasterboards were then installed and skimmed up to blend in with the existing plaster.
Existing skirting boards and door architraves were refitted and where necessary replaced along with the laminate floor beading.
These works were carried out in less than 3 days with minimal mess just leaving the homeowner with the unavoidable task of redecorating.
