Location: Kidlington, Oxfordshire
Type of property: 1950’s end terrace house constructed of solid 9” brickwork, overlaid with a tiled roof covering. Solid concrete floor.
Services used:
Materials Used:
Problem: Location ‘A’ – front porch: Elevated moisture readings were recorded up to a height averaging 2 meters above the internal floor level in this location. Skirting boards also recorded an average moisture content of 25.5%. Evidence at the time of the survey indicated the predominant source of damp was water from the ground (rising damp), due to a lack of a physical damp-proof course. The external render was continuous down to the ground leading our surveyor to believe this was the source of the rising damp. Interior wall surfaces also registered as very cold on our thermal imaging device, which is likely the cause of evident mould growth. Location ‘B’ – entrance hall: Similarly, the external render went to the ground, with the added complication of a moderately sized crack in this location, leading to possible penetrating dampness. Evidence of dark staining visible at ceiling level to the left of the window and inside the window reveal. Location ‘C’ – understairs storage space: Further elevated moisture readings and severe blistering to the paint coating, with salt deposits evident in the understairs space leading from the kitchen diner. Exterior of property: The external render coating continued down to the external ground when ideally this should be cut short by 150 mm. Door seals were broken and split. The air vent on the left-hand gable elevation was missing and in line with the ground level.
Works completed: Location ‘A’: The most cost-effective method of dealing with the rising damp in these locations was to line the internal walls with Wykamol Iso-Therm. Iso-Therm is vapour-permeable, but waterproof, thereby resisting any lateral damp transference, and stopping the subsequent natural surface nitrates and chlorides from forming as an efflorescent salt. Because of its high thermal benefit, and the withholding of any natural damp transference, it is highly resistant to any form of surface mould. Location ‘B’ & ‘C’: Removal of salt-contaminated plaster at full height followed by the installation of a damp-proof membrane. Recommendation for inspection by a suitable plumbing contractor to identify possible escape of water from the adjoining shower room. Exterior: Recommendation to employ a plastering/building contractor to obtain quotations to carry out a complete overhaul of the external render. Recommendation to obtain quotations from a contractor to reinstate the air vent and lower the ground, ideally 150 mm to prevent rainwater runoff.
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