Damp proofing companies in Oxford, Biocraft Ltd
Biocraft is a leading damp proofing contractor offering a wide range of damp surveys and damp proofing services throughout Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and Oxfordshire. We are based in Reading, Berkshire and offer damp proofing and damp control services in Oxford
To arrange a specialist damp survey in Oxford or to arrange a quotation for works in Oxford please call 0800 781 8358 or email [email protected].
Damp proofing company in Oxford
Biocraft is a full member of the Property Care Association (PCA) formerly the British Wood Preservation and Damp Proofing Association (BWPDA), the Basement Waterproofing Association (BWA), the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and Constructionline. We are Trustmark approved to carry out damp proofing surveys and damp proofing works for local authorities and mortgage companies.
Dampness in buildings in Oxford
Moisture can enter the fabric of a building, resulting in dampness, in many different ways including building defects, broken or leaking pipes, poor maintenance and lack of effective damp proofing measures.
Movement of moisture or the presence of excessive levels of moisture in building materials can result in salt staining, plaster deterioration, or spoiling of decorations. Timbers that are (subjected) exposed to continual dampness are at risk from wood destroying fungi (wet and dry rot).
It is important to determine the source of water/moisture ingress before taking any remedial damp proofing action in Oxford. There may be one or more sources, such as penetrating damp, plumbing defects, condensation, bridging of the damp proof course (dpc) or lack of effective damp proofing resulting in rising damp.
Valuation and building surveys will frequently identify damp in properties in Oxford and recommend a specialist damp proofing survey be carried out by a PCA and BWPDA approved company in Oxford.
The specialist damp survey in Oxford should identify the possible source(s) and recommend corrective action, such as repairing external/internal defects, reducing external ground levels to below the level of the damp proof course, installing French drains, improving heating and ventilation or the installation of a chemical damp proof course.
Specialist damp surveys in Oxford should be carried out by a qualified damp proofing surveyor with a minimum of a CSRT (certificated surveyor in remedial treatments) qualification as required by the Property Care Association (PCA) and the British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association (BWPDA). All Biocraft surveyors have achieved the CSRT & CSSW qualification to carry out damp surveys in Oxford.
The most common sources of moisture ingress that can be found in buildings during specialist damp proofing surveys in Oxford are as follows;
Condensation
Condensation occurs when air with a high water vapour content comes into contact with cool surfaces. The water condenses from the air, resulting in the formation of water droplets on the cold surfaces. Excessive condensation can lead to the rotting of window sills, dampness on walls, and mould growth. The presence of black spot mould on walls is an indication of excessive condensation.
Reducing the moisture loading in the air and/or improving the ventilation is the most effective method of dealing with condensation in Oxford. Dehumidifiers are costly to run, require emptying and should only be considered as a temporary measure. Dehumidifiers and anti-condensation paints just treat the effects and do not remove the cause. Whole home ventilation systems are a cost effective method of dealing with the cause of condensation and removing the effects.
Rising damp
- The movement of moisture through materials in Oxford by capillary action
- Absence of physical Damp proof course (DPC) or damp proof membrane (DPM)
- Breakdown or failure of physical Damp Proof Course
- Ineffective chemical damp proofing or replastering
- Bridging of damp proof course by increase external ground levels, external render, internal solid floors, blocked cavity
Penetrating Dampness in Oxford
The ingress of water into a building in Oxford as a result of a building defect such as:
- Blocked or broken guttering
- Blocked or broken downpipes
- Defective external rendering or pointing
- Defective weatherproof seals on doors and windows
- No weatherboard on doors
- Bridged wall cavity
- Roofing defects such as loose or missing tiles/slates, damaged or missing flashings, or damaged coping.
- Overflow pipe continuous running
- Lack of drip beading on rendered walls or blocked drip grooves on cills
- Porous or cracked bricks
Internal building defect or other sources of dampness in Oxford
- The ingress of water through the failure of a water carrying appliance, the spillage of water or other source of moisture
- Plumbing faults such as leaking valves, leaking radiators, hot water tank, washing machines or waste pipes.
- Bath or shower overflow or splashing
- Condensation on un-insulated cold water pipes.
- Lack of adequate roof space ventilation leading to condensation and causing mould growth
- Blocked up fireplaces causing condensation to form in the void.
- Broken, cracked or blocked drains
For a professional assessment of dampness in your home in Oxford, please call Biocraft Ltd on 01189 451144 or email [email protected]
Biocraft offers a wide range of damp surveys and damp proofing services throughout Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and Oxfordshire.
Biocraft Serves Oxford – Town overview
Oxford is a city in the South East region of England and the county town of Oxfordshire. With an estimated 2015 population of 168,270, it is the 52nd largest city in the United Kingdom, and one of the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse. The city is situated 57 miles (92 km) from London, 69 miles (111 km) from Bristol, 65 miles (105 km) from both Southampton and Birmingham and 25 miles (40 km) from Reading.
Oxford is known worldwide as the home of the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Buildings in Oxford demonstrate notable examples of every English architectural period since the late Saxon period. Oxford is known as the “city of dreaming spires”, a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold. The cities industries include motor manufacturing, education, publishing and a large number of information technology and science-based businesses, some being academic offshoots.
