In a masonry building, a ground-floor suspended timber floor is a very old way to create a dry, warm living environment in the United Kingdom, using naturally available materials, and it also provides a damp and thermal break from ground contact. The issue is that timber is not durable when kept in a damp environment;
I have investigated an increasing number of issues related to insulation, dampness, mould, and rot arising from improper workmanship and a failure to follow Building Standards or NHBC requirements in the new house roof void. In the new constructions, I have inspected the perimeter insulation. It was not installed in accordance with the NHBC or Building
Rising Damp refers to water that rises from the ground through a building’s masonry walls due to capillary rise dynamics. It can also result in wood rot in the abutting floor, damp walls, and masonry deterioration—more information from The Royal Society. This is the reason building regulations require a Damp Proof Course to be installed.
Water is a polar molecule, making DC-powered Electro-Osmosis Flow systems a highly effective way to remove water from a wall and return it to the ground, such as in cases of rising damp. The problem it faces in engaging customers is its scientific approach. Builders dislike this approach because they prefer drilling holes and injecting a chemical,
The church is on a small hill at the base of a valley and is exposed to strong wind gusts. Due to a lack of weather protection, the repair options were limited. The scaffold design limited access to some repair locations and could not serve as temporary support; therefore, all repairs had to be planned accordingly.
Timber Repairs to Crown of Thorns St Michaels Church, Linlithgow Read More »
The Siphon The damp siphon was supposed to cure dampness in a masonry wall. It’s a method proposed by Professor Achille Knapen, as a result of his research and experiments. In Paris, you can see the siphons on the external joints of significant historic buildings (see photos). The idea was introduced into the UK around 1919
The Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum) is a type of woodworm that belongs to the family Anobiidae. Despite its name, the term “common” with emphasis on ‘furniture’ is misleading, as this beetle primarily resides in the sapwood of structural and joinery timber. The larvae bore into the sapwood and then pupate into adult beetles. When
Fungicidal treatments for timber, such as dry and wet rot, are used with Disodium Octaborate, a boron-based compound. Typically, this compound is dissolved in monoethylene glycol. Boron has been a staple in the timber preservation industry for over five decades. Primarily, it is used as an inorganic borate. Its efficacy as a fungicide is well-established,
Woodworm is a common name for the beetle, as its larvae bore into the sapwood and eat it, which is very edible. These insects are all originally forest dwellers and part of the natural recycling process. Trees are cut to various sizes for construction timber; the resulting pieces can differ in durability, as some sections
