DAMP PROOFING
Dampness in homes is mainly caused by inadequate ventilation, condensation, poor maintenance i.e. blocked guttering, leaking roofs and pipe work or an inefficient damp proof course and if left it may cause serious structural problems to your property.
London Property Services provides a specialised range of damp proofing treatments to properties in London ensuring homes are repaired and protected from the different types of dampness that can cause damage to floors, walls and ceilings.
Scott & his team will investigate your problem, find the source and then carry out the correct proofing work in accordance to the type of dampness you have.
They also carry our basement and cellar tanking to ensure your underground rooms are damp free and protected from water penetration so they can be used as living accommodation or for storage.
This is cost effective way to increase the size of your home and add to the value of your property.
Rising Damp
If properties are built with no or an ineffective damp proof course then rising damp can develop by moisture from the ground rising up into the brickwork or masonry.
If untreated damp patches can appear along with hygroscopic salts on the surface of the walls causing damage.
In order to treat rising damp any plaster on the walls will need removing otherwise the wall will not dry out fully. Usually, it will be removed to a height of one metre but this can be more depending on the situation and condition of the walls.
A new damp proof course will then be installed by injecting a waterproof substance into the walls which will provide a barrier preventing water rising from the ground upwards.
The walls will then be replastered using a waterproof render.
Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp can occur in and outside of a property through leaking roofs and pipework, poor guttering etc.
The moisture passes through walls, ceilings and floors and can cause serious damage to brickwork, plaster and timber.
Wet and Dry Rot
If you have dampness in your home it is important to establish if you have rot present and if so, if it is wet or dry rot.
There is only one type of dry rot fungus but many of wet rot and if untreated they can grow and cause serious structural problems to your home.
Wet Rot
Dampness can be caused by faulty guttering, leaking pipework etc which can cause wet rot fungi to grow as they need a high content of moisture in which to do so.
The fungi will cause damage to your property by rotting any timber.
In order to remove the wet rot permanently the source of the dampness needs to be established, fixed and then any affected area replaced with pre- treated timber.
Dry Rot
Dry rot fungus carries moisture to dry, poorly ventilated areas penetrating brickwork and mortar joints as well as timbers.
To remove dry rot the cause of the dampness needs to be established and fixed.
Any affected timbers are to then be removed and replaced with pre-treated timbers and any remaining woodwork is to be treated with a chemical fungicide.
Any brickwork or mortar that is also affected by dry rot will need to be drilled and injecting with a fungicide preservative.
If wooden floors are not ventilated properly and moisture is still present it may be necessary to replace with concrete flooring in order to remove the dampness problem.
Basement Tanking
Basement tanking is the application of a waterproof coating to the walls and floors of an underground room in order for it to become a dry space which can then be used as storage or additional living space.
Tanking a basement, cellar, vault etc will help tackle mould and damp problems as well as preventing water penetrating the building and therefore protecting the property.
To carry out tanking all existing paint and plaster must be removed and then attention given to any weak points i.e. where walls join the floor or joints in the mortar.
Once all surfaces have been prepared properly, they are then coated with a bitumen tanking slurry or waterproof membrane which will prevent water penetration by creating a barrier.
After this process is completed the surfaces will be re-plastered using a waterproof render which will act as a barrier to keep water out.
If a basement or cellar is already affected by water penetration then a waterproofing system can be used which comprises of installing a system to collect excess water and sending it to a pump which will in turn remove the water out of the property.
These waterproofing systems can be situated so they are not visible and therefore perfect for basements that are then converted into additional living space.
With £2m public liability insurance you know you are in safe hands and have that peace of mind.
Please call for free, friendly and impartial advice and a non-obligatory quotation.
07581 357803 / 0208 054 5007
London Property Services
