Location: Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
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Problem: This damp proofing project was agreed after a free damp survey was carried out by an expert damp surveyor. His finding identified the damp problem. There was dampness at the base of several stone walls as a result of inefficient damp protection when the property was built. Property’s as old as these stone built houses do not have any form of Damp Proof Course (DPC). A Damp Proof Course helps to prevent Rising Damp, which is where water from the ground penetrates and rises up the walls of buildings.
Over long periods of time, this rising damp mixes with multiple salts and minerals that include chlorides and nitrates. Salts draw moisture from the ground and atmosphere which explains why, during certain times of the year, damp patches can appear more visible as there will be more moisture in the air. Other sources of moisture include from cooking and bathing. The problem is salts expand when they start to dry and this expansion and absorption breaks down plaster and causes damage to the internal decorative finishes of the property. Once the plaster is contaminated from these salts, then the fabric of the property has been penetrated and it’s extremely difficult for these salts to be completely removed.
We refer to the best practice BRE 245 on removal and re-plastering with specific damp proof materials and systems to control salt contamination.
Works completed: Protection is always a priority at Property Conservation Services with floors and areas covered before any work is carried out. This minimises dust from the removal of the wall plaster. Once our damp specialists removed all the contaminated plaster they installed a Meshed Coated Cavity membrane to these areas forming a dry barrier ready for the re-plastering using a dry lining system. Plaster board was then fixed to the membrane with plaster board adhesive and the plaster finish was then carried out along with some carpentry work including installing skirting boards and the boxing of the radiator pipes.
