Damp, Timber & Basement Surveys

At Danford Brewer & Ives, we provide professional survey reports for your building. The reports we can carry out, to name a few, include;

• Damp Survey Reports
• Timber Survey Reports
• Basement Conversion Reports

The surveys provided are carried out by experienced and professional surveyors with a vast knowledge and great expertise in the matter.

It is essential when investigating the potential for rising dampness to eliminate other sources of water ingress. A guide to the approach to be adopted for a damp survey is given below. Care must be taken to eliminate other potential sources of moisture especially condensation in the colder months, and it is therefore essential to ensure that a full investigation is always undertaken.

If any other sources are identified then these must be first eliminated before a proper assessment of any rising dampness can be made as it can be very difficult to distinguish between two or more interfering sources of water ingress.

Should it be noted that previous damp-proofing works have been undertaken then it is essential to take great care ensuring that the evidence of dampness is correctly evaluated.

The following gives a guide to onsite routine procedures for the survey:

1. EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
   
   
   1. External rainwater goods, valleys, flat roofs.
   2. Condition of brickwork, stone, mortar, plinths, rendering, weatherproof finish etc.
   3. Wall construction, cracks in masonry, copings etc.
   4. External timbers including windows and doors.
   5. Air vents; their position and condition.
   6. Chimneys and flashings.
   7. Position of any remedial DPC installation including spacing and depth of holes where chemical systems have been used.
   8. High ground levels, abutting gardens walls, steps and position and integrity of any DPC system.


2. PRIMARY INTERNAL EXAMINATION: VISIBLE SIGNS
   
   
   1. Fungal decay in skirting and/or other timbers
   2. Peeling/blistering wallpaper, peeling/blistering paintwork
   3. Efflorescence
   4. Mould growth, staining
   5. Damp/wet patches, water droplets, water runs


3. SECONDARY EXAMINATION
   (With use of properly functioning and calibrated electrical moisture meter)
   
   
   1. Examine both perimeter and centre of solid/timber suspended floors.
   2. Check moisture content of timber skirting (top and base).
   3. Examine and check condition of the floor/wall junction, edge of DPM of floor.
   4. Check any remedial DPC installation including position and depth of holes (if inserted from inside)
   5. Note distribution of moisture meter readings both vertically and horizontally on the surface of the walls.
   6. Check for efflorescence beneath wallpaper finishes
   7. Note any use of polystyrene sheet/metal foil beneath wallpaper.
   8. Note any new plasterworks, height of replastering and its condition and if possible its type, e.g., renovating, sand/cement, lightweight premix gypsum etc.
   9. Lift floorboards and thoroughly examine timbers and subsite.
   10. Check for suitable subfloor ventilation
   11. Look for any internal plumbing defects and water dripping from cold pipes, etc. as the result of condensation


4. OTHER
   
   
   1. Check (if possible) on history and use of property
   2. Evaluate 'lifestyle' e.g., use of central heating, paraffin or flueless gas heaters, drying washing and cooking, degree of ventilation etc.

Once any form of dampness has been identified then it is essential that the risk of decay to any timbers is assessed and appropriate remedial measures undertaken. Remember, a combination of dampness and wood leads to potential rot.

Depending on what the survey reveals, we may recommend and quote for suitable treatments. These may involve repairs and maintenance to the building, and or damp proofing and specialist re-plastering works. These will be all seperately identified and costed. There are different methods and products for damp proofing, choices and reasons for recommendations can be explained.

Other surveys such as by structural engineers or architects can be arranged but may cost, these can be discussed and quoted for.