Damp proofing in Newbury, 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 Newbury
To arrange a specialist damp survey in Newbury or to arrange a quotation for works in Newbury please call 0800 781 8358 or email [email protected].
Before undertaking any remedial damp proofing action, it is important to ascertain the source of water/moisture ingress. There could be one or more sources, such as penetrating damp, plumbing defects, condensation, bridging of the damp proof course (dpc) or absence of effective damp proofing resulting in rising damp.
Damp proofing company in Newbury
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 Newbury
A specialist damp survey should identify the possible source(s) of the damp and recommend corrective action, such as repairing external/internal defects, reducing external ground levels to below the level of the damp proof course, improving heating and ventilation, installing French drains or the installation of a chemical damp proof course.
Moisture could pass into the fabric of a building, resulting in dampness, through many routes including building defects, broken or leaking pipes, poor maintenance and lack of effective damp proofing measures.
Movement of moisture or the presence of excessive amounts of moisture in building materials can result in salt staining, plaster deterioration, or spoiling of decorations. Timbers that are subjected to continual dampness are at risk from wood destroying fungi (wet and dry rot).
Valuation and building surveys will frequently identify damp in properties and recommend a specialist damp proofing survey be carried out by a PCA and BWPDA approved company.
Specialist damp surveys in Newbury 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 Newbury.
The most common sources of moisture ingress that can be found in buildings during specialist damp proofing surveys in Newbury are as follows;
Condensation
Reducing the moisture loading in the air and/or improving the ventilation is the most effective method of dealing with condensation in Newbury. 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.
Condensation occurs when air with high water vapour content encounters cool surfaces (below dew point temperature). The water condenses from the air, resulting in the formation of water droplets on the cold surfaces. Extreme 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.
Rising damp in Newbury
Internal building defect or other sources of dampness in Newbury
- 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
The movement of moisture through materials in Newbury 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 plastering
- Bridging of damp proof course by increase external ground levels, external render, internal solid floors, blocked cavity
Penetrating Dampness in Newbury
The ingress of water into a building in Newbury could be the 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
- Roofing defects such as loose or missing tiles/slates, damaged or missing flashings, or damaged coping
- No weatherboard on doors
- Bridged wall cavity.
- Overflow pipe continuous running
- Lack of drip beading on rendered walls or blocked drip grooves on cills
- Porous or cracked bricks
For a professional assessment of dampness in your home in Newbury, please call Biocraft Ltd on 01189 451144 or email [email protected]
Biocraft offers a wide range of damp surveys and damp proofing services in Newbury and throughout Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and Oxfordshire.
Biocraft Serves Newbury – Town overview
Newbury is a historic market town and the principal town in the west of Berkshire, England and has its own civil parish as well as the administrative headquarters of West Berkshire. It spans both sides of the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, and has a town centre spread around its large market square. The historic town centre retains a rare medieval Cloth Hall and an adjoining half timbered granary, an unusually large 15th century parish church, along with a wealth of attractive 17th and 18th century listed buildings. Newbury is famous for its racecourse, and as the headquarters of Vodafone UK and software company Micro Focus International.
