Damp Proofing and Timber Treatment Specialists in Cornwall
If you are in need of efficient damp proofing services in Cornwall, get in touch with J R Damp Proofing and Wood Treatment today. We offer a free 30-year insurance backed guarantee.
Damp proofing technique
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Installation of a physical PVC membrane damp proof course together with blue engineering bricks
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A structural waterproofing system incorporating a damp proof membrane and possible sump pump
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Installation of a chemical injected damp proof course together with associated re-plastering
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The use of a conventional cementing tanking system
Solving damp problems across the whole of Cornwall
At J R Damp Proofing and Wood Treatment, we have over 25 years of experience in all types of damp proofing, including for walls, and basements and cellars in properties of all ages and size throughout Cornwall. We offer 30-year insurance backed guarantees with our damp proofing treatments for both penetrating damp and rising damp. Contact us today to find out how we can help you and your property in Cornwall.
Do you have penetrating damp in Cornwall?
Penetrating Damp is usually caused by water moving through walls from the outside of the building. There are two main causes of penetrating damp. The first one is building defects such as defective roof coverings, cracked brickwork, badly fitting windows, and faulty guttering and downpipes. The other form of penetrating damp is lateral penetrating damp which is caused when external ground, abutting the wall is above internal floor level.
Get a free penetrating damp site survey
Before J R Damp Proofing & Wood Treatments starts any work on your property, a surveyor will carry out an inspection to establish the need for and the extent of the waterproofing system required and will also design a waterproofing system to meet your requirements, provide the most cost-effective solution to your damp problem and check for decay caused by the dampness.
Identify penetrating damp
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Damaged internal decoration – damp, discoloured tidemarks in line with external ground level on internal surfaces
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Damaged plaster - blistering, salting and disintegration
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Rotting skirting boards, floor timbers – wet rot decay
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Localised dampness – random damp patches at high and low levels that do not dry out
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Mould growth – musty smell, spoilt decoration
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Condensation and penetrating damp issues
What treatments do you need?
If your damp problem is caused by building defects, these can often be repaired by us and where the work is more extensive, don't worry as we are also qualified in the building trade. We offer you two main options for lateral penetrating damp: single membrane or tanking system solutions. Both of these solutions will provide a dry internal wall surface, making the cellar or basement rooms of your property habitable again. Once the problem area or wall has dried out and there is no damage to plaster or decay in timbers, then you can re-decorate.
What has caused rising damp to your property?
Ground water that is drawn upwards through porous building materials such as bricks, mortar or sandstone is called rising damp, it is a slow process and may be present in a building for several years before any signs of a problem appear. The speed at which the moisture rises up the walls will depend on several factors; the type of wall or floor construction, the nature of the ground and the environment inside and outside of the building.
Book your rising damp survey for free today
Due to the complex nature of rising damp, its identification needs to be carried out by an industry qualified surveyor. Our survey would include:
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External inspection - to look for defects that may relate to the existing problem or cause damp problems in the future
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Checking floorboards - if the ground floor is of timber construction, we may ask the clients if floorboards can be lifted to check if timber decay is occurring to the wall plate and joists beneath the floor surface
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Visual inspection of all internal ground floor walls - walls will be scanned with a resistance moisture meter. Where visible damage to decorations or higher levels of moisture in the plaster is identified, a more detailed inspection will be carried out
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Calcium carbide tests - may be taken to identify a dampness profile. This may entail drilling into the wall to extract mortar samples for testing on-site but is down to the client's decision
Identifying rising damp in Cornwall
Localised dampness – dampness on walls rarely exceeds one metre above ground level, but may go much higher in extreme cases
Damaged internal decoration – damp, discoloured "tidemarks" on internal decoration
Damaged plaster - blistering, salting and disintegration
Rotting skirting boards, floor timbers – wet rot decay
Effective damp treatments
Once dampness has been identified, the surveyor will make recommendations on the appropriate rising damp, penetrating damp, and treating of basement for you.
If you have any questions or want to know more about what we can do for you and your home, contact us today, we are always happy to give advice and provide free quotes when necessary.
Timber treatment services in Cornwall
Do you need your wood treated? In many cases, you may not even know you have a problem until it is too late. We are more than happy to provide you with a free survey and then a free quote for any work that needs carrying out on your property. Find out more on our site about what to look for and call us if you are even slightly suspicious about any timber in your property in Penzance, or anywhere else in Cornwall.
Some key things to look for:
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Woodworm causes small round holes in your woodwork, similar to the holes in a dart board. Fine, powdery dust around these holes (this is known as frass) and even if you can’t see any holes, you might also find frass escaping from the back or underside of old furniture. Again this suggests active woodworm.
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Wet rot can be a white or brown rot, which does not refer to the colour of the mould, but the shade that the timber turns when affected. Brown rot will darken the wood, and will break in small cracks, whereas white rot lightens the wood and the damage is visible across the grain.
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Dry rot is different from wet rot in the sense that it can travel through a building taking its own moisture supply, and can travel between plaster and brick work as well as wood. Dry rot can cause severe damage if it is not treated.
Check your home doesn't need timber treatments today
If you have any concerns regarding woodworm, wet rot or dry rot, contact J R Damp Proofing and Wood Treatment today. We are here for you, call us today to find out further information on any of our services available throughout Cornwall.
Woodworm control treatment in Cornwall
Woodworm is a wood-boring insect attack that can cause serious structural damage to your property. Once there is a woodworm presence, it is important to use the correct and most effective woodworm treatment and solutions to eradicate the infestation as soon as possible.
Woodworm treatments by the professionals
The incorrect identification of the insect can often lead to costly and unnecessary solutions. You can be sure we will provide the correct woodworm control treatment to eradicate your woodworm infestation in Penzance, Cornwall, saving you money and time.
Our surveyor will identify:
The type of insect and extent of the woodworm infestation
Whether the infestation is active or inactive
How much structural damage, if any, has been caused
What woodworm treatment is best for your property
Check your home doesn't need timber treatments today
We shall draw up the correct specification for the elimination of the woodworm infestation, the solution of woodworm treatment, and state any special requirements for difficult pests, for example the death watch beetle or house longhorn. Whatever you problem, we can help ensure your property is kept structurally sound and free from woodworm infestation.
Free wet and dry rot surveys in Cornwall
Before we carry out any treatment, our qualified surveyor will conduct a thorough inspection of your property. This may require removing some plaster, and a section of skirting board or panelling to establish the full extent of the dry rot or wet rot, and its causes.
The difference between wet and dry rot
Wet rot is a general term used to describe the majority of fungal species responsible for timber decay. This rot attacks wood in damp conditions and can cause significant damage over time if left untreated. Dry rot, on the other hand, is where building timbers are subjected to damp and badly ventilated conditions, or where they are in contact with damp masonry, dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) can cause serious damage and decay to your property.
The surveyor will also:
Check for associated problems such as other types of rot or damp
Inspect other areas that may be at risk
Provide a cost-effective solution to your problem
Get a solution to your wet rot or dry rot problems in Penzance, Cornwall
Our specialist technicians have the skills, craftsmanship and solutions to get rid of dry rot and wet rot. Many factors have to be taken into account as every property is different. The principal measures for dry rot and wet rot treatments are:
Locating and eliminating the source of moisture which is maintaining the rot. This will require repairing defects such as overflowing or damaged gutters, missing slates, blocked air bricks
Ensuring the source of damp or water ingress is cured, so that timber moisture content can fall to a safe level (below 20%)
Removing all decayed wood and damaged linings, panelling, skirting boards, ceilings and plaster work to prevent any further spread of the fungus
Removing the visible and accessible fungal growth
Applying fungicidal treatment to the remaining timber and brickwork to form protective chemical barriers
Replacing all removed timber with preservative-treated timbers
Basement water proofing and tanking systems in Cornwall
You might be sitting on more space than you think! We provide homes across West Cornwall with basement conversions, including full damp proofing and tanking. With our service, you could transform your dark basement into a warm, dry space. We offer a comprehensive conversion process that includes an assessment of your existing damp proofing and supplying remedial damp course where needed, before completing a high-quality conversion to give you a well finished, airy space.
Protect against dampness with basement tanking
Think your space is too small to be used as a room? It may prove useful for storage, or add value to your property in the eyes of future buyers. Even if you never plan to use your basement or cellar, tanking can make it completely waterproof and prevent damp from creeping in to upper floors.
What solutions are available to your home?
Cement tanking utilises a system of cement based waterproof coatings to prevent penetrating damp caused by capillary movement of water moving through earth retaining walls.
The tanking coatings can be plastered to provide a smooth surface to decorate.
Cement tanking is used in situations where there is no free flowing water or risk of flooding and in small areas where there is an isolated damp problem.
Benefits of cement tanking:
• Can be used in small areas and on convoluted surfaces.
• Does not require a drainage system or a sump and pump.
Solutions and advice for condensation control in Cornwall
We can offer a full range of products to help manage the quality of the air in the environments in which we live. The vast majority of our time is spent indoors so it is of vital importance that the air that we breathe is clean. We offer effective solutions to control condensation as well as advice and expertise about managing your property's quality of air.
Why do we get condensation?
The lack of ventilation caused by improving insulation and double glazing can result in high levels of humid air becoming trapped inside a building, which can become condensation and eventually lead to mould growth.
What problems does condensation cause to our properties in Cornwall?
Condensation is usually a seasonal problem, most noticeable during the colder winter months. Condensation can appear on more than just your windows including cold walls and floors. Sometimes it can occur in hidden areas such as roof voids or suspended floors. Timbers in these particular areas may become susceptible to rot problems.
Most people's homes will suffer from condensation dampness over time but it really becomes an issue if it is persistent and leads to other tell-tale signs such as:
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Damp walls with blistering paint
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Damaged and peeling wallpaper
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Damp odour
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Black mould growth
We can supply and fit 2020 positive air pressure systems can be installed in properties to prevent condensation build up and neutralise this problem. Stops mould growth and musty damp smells.
Some condensation prevention advice
Having your windows open to keep a property well aired and ventilated is not always practical as at night the priority is to keep warm and this can also be a security risk. Our advice would be:
When cooking - cover pans, don't leave kettles boiling and use an extractor fan if possible
Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens, keeping doors closed when they are in use
Avoid drying clothes inside on radiators or in front of fires
Try to maintain constant low level background heating, helping to minimise rapid temperature changes, and keeping wall surfaces warm