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Surveyors are able to supply Damp Surveys alongside RICS general property surveys when matters require extra investigation. If damp appears in either an old or new building, it can cause real trouble. First, you have to find out the extent and cause of the damp to deal with and fix it properly.
Why does Dampness start to show up in your Home?
Damp is a major problem for homes and properties. These issues are usually related to things outside the house such as blocked subfloors or air vents. In the future, it would be a good idea to replace a sand and cement render, as this is not suitable. Such remedies involve injecting damp proof courses into the walls.
What is the meaning behind Penetrating Damp?
If there is a hole or crack in the building’s fabric or if wind-driven rain leaks in or maybe if the materials in the wall attract salts inside, then damp can seep through, usually the areas exposed to most weather. Problems with gutters, incorrectly installed wall insulation or the terrain near the building’s foundations can increase such issues.
Dampness in my Home is coming from Leaking Pipes
If a small pipe leak is found and fixed when it first happens, it should not be a big issue. The same applies to spills that happen in tanks, cisterns, baths, showers or washing machines. Spotting a leak is not a big issue, as the area will usually dry out on its own in a while. Should the problem be ignored, the moisture can lower the quality of wood which is favourable to wood rot and fungal damage.
Which aspects are covered in the Damp Report?
If during your General Home Survey the surveyors think dampness is a possibility, they will check the moisture levels in your inner walls with a damp meter. The following step would be to have a damp report made by a specialist. A Damp Survey is conducted to identify the extent of dampness, find out its cause and come up with the right solutions.
On the date of the survey, the vendor/occupier will explain the damp problem and the surveyor will start his examination by studying the areas marked in the building survey.
During the survey, the surveyor checks if there are damp issues, the possible causes and other problems leading to future dampness. The use of non-invasive surveying techniques usually allows surveyors to spot the issue, settle it without major concerns and determine how to make the work as economical as possible. Then, the findings are laid out in a thorough Damp Report.
What is the price for getting a Canterbury Damp Report?
The Damp Report lists the relevant damage found in your Canterbury property and suggests the most suitable actions for the next stage. The report can include any extra research that may have helped to calculate the damage to the property and the necessary cost for the needed cleanup. We can use surveyors for help with various tasks.
Although the survey fee is generally £600, most people save much more with the advice provided about the required works. Should you want to go over your Damp Survey Report, you can reach out to us.
Combating Subsidence with Underpinning
This technique is employed as a last choice due to the risks involved, because underpinning can also lead to more difficulties if done improperly.
Overlooking subsidence can result in major damage to the building and may make it unsafe. In some cases, underpinning is done by strengthening the foundation by deepening it or widening the bottom or both. The contractors try to reach strong soil beneath the unstable soil to ensure the structure stays stable on strong ground. The foundation is supported by the ground that transfers the structure’s weight to a wider section.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Underpinning
Thanks to underpinning, different causes of subsidence can be managed such as expanding and contracting clay soil, water from below and factors in nature removing the soil integrity. It is adjustable, so it can meet the requirements of every property.
If the groundwater system is constructed badly, it can promote subside sooner which may lead to more damage. So, you really need to choose a reliable contractor.
