Survey gallery and definitions

Dry Rot

Timber is resistant to decay provided it remains dry. Inadequate ventilation and prolonged wetting as a reult of, for example, faulty rainwater goods, rising damp or poor maintenance diminishes this resistance, although the vulnerability varies between timber species. There are numerous wet rots some of which are white rots and some of which are brown rots. There are many fungal species causing wet rot. Some, such as Fibroporia Vaillantii attack softwoods others such as Donkiporia expansa will attack hardwoods, whilst other wet rots such as Coniophora puteana can attack both. The same remedial measures however are required for them all.

The True Dry Rot Fungus, Serpula lacrymans,  (formally Merulius lacrymans) is a brown rot which attacks mostly softwoods and is significant for its ability to grow over inert surfaces and spread extensively behind plaster and through wall surfaces. Once established dry rot can quickly cause collapse of structural timbers, making correct identification and dry rot treatment imperative. Whilst properties of all ages can be affected by dry rot older properties are more susceptible due to the window frames, joist ends, wallplates, timber grounds and timber lintels being in direct contact with the masonry. The appearance of a fruiting body or a fine layer of reddish-brown spores may be the first indication of dry rot and exposure works are often required to determine the full extent of the dry rot outbreak. Such exposure works for dry rot may involve stripping plaster, lifting floorboards, removing sections of ceiling and removing skirting boards and architraves.

Rising Damp

Moisture rising by capillary action as a result of the lack of or a defective damp proof course is called Rising Damp. Whilst effective control is possible, symptoms are often mis-diagnosed and costly inconvenient treatment over specified. There are numerous articles in both the press and some professional journals regarding rising damp and whether rising damp is simply a myth........ 

Woodworm

Woodworm is the generic term for all wood  boring  insects and although  these insects are a dangerous pest which must be eradicated to protect your property

Penetrating damp below ground

Waterproofing is the protection of structures against water from the ground.

Where  the  waterproofing  is  to  be  undertaken to a vault, existing or retro

basement or cellar this is usually  achieved by a Type A form of construction (barrier) or Type C (drained protection) or sometimes a combination of both.

There are a number of  methods for  barrier  protection  (multi-coat  renders, waterproofing  slurries,  epoxy  resins etc.)  and  drained  protection  (cavity drainage  membrane,  drainage  tiles etc)   and   our   surveyors   have   the

necessary  knowledge  and   experience   to   determine  the   best  form  of  waterproofing for a particular project  whilst taking  into  account the Client's requirements and the recommendations of BS 8102.