Mesh membrane affixed to the wall surface at ceiling level, showing the cut in the ceiling to allow venting of he membrane
Mesh membrane affixed to the wall surface at ceiling level, showing the cut in the ceiling to allow venting of he membrane

Location: Lighthorne, Warwick, CV35 0AP

Type of property: Extended stone-built cottage, circa 18th century

Services used:

  • Damp survey
  • Wall dry lining incorporating vertical meshed membrane
  • Delta ventilation profile system installation
  • Plasterboarding and set coat skim plastering

Materials Used: 

  • Delta System Meshed Membrane
  • Delta System Ventilation Profile
  • Delta Fixing Plugs & Associated Sealants
  • Moisture-resistant Plasterboard & Skim Finish Plaster

Problem:

Positive dampness readings were recorded across the internal wall surfaces at the rear of a former fireplace, rising from skirting board level up to ceiling height.

 

The dampness and underlying issues were attributed to:

 

  1. High external ground levels relative to the internal floor level, causing penetrating dampness through the stone masonry.
  2. Lack of an effective physical damp proof course (DPC) within the historic 18th-century wall construction.
  3. Heavy salt contamination within the masonry behind existing plaster, caused by past fossil fuel combustion and soot penetration in the former fireplace.

 

Possible condensation accumulation from the ceiling vent.

Works completed: 

To isolate the living space from penetrating damp and salt contamination while allowing the stone masonry behind to breathe, we installed a ventilated Delta meshed membrane dry-lining system:

 

  • Carefully removed and set aside existing skirting boards from the affected treatment area.
  • Cut back the ceiling sufficiently to allow venting of the membrane system into the ceiling void above.
  • Supplied and installed Delta System Meshed Membrane directly onto the existing plaster surface across the treatment area (including beneath the right-hand window).
  • Installed Delta System Ventilation Profile at the base to ensure effective continuous ventilation.
  • Fixed plasterboard directly over the membrane and applied a smooth set coat skim finish ready for decorating.

 

Reinstalled existing skirting boards and made good the surrounding ceiling areas.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Property Conservation Services Treatments