24-11-2022

A Damp is commonly found in properties of all ages, styles and stature. Damp can be identified visually by staining and disruption to plaster finishes, salt deposits and mould growth. There are many forms of damp and associated causes, including rising damp, penetrative damp, salt contamination, plumbing leaks and condensation related damp, all of which can be attributable to one or more of the aforementioned visual identifications. Where prolonged damp is found, there becomes an increased risk to any timbers in contact with the damp substrate. Ultimately this often leads wood destroying fungal attack of the timber, otherwise known as rot or timber decay. This timber can be non-structural such as skirting boards or door frames etc. but can also be structural timbers such as floor joists, elements of the roof structure or lintels amongst many others. Another risk to timber is wood destroying beetle attack, commonly known as Woodworm. Extensive infestations can lead to significant loss in strength of the timber elements and can be identified by flight holes left in the surface as the beetles emerge from the timber. There are a number of types of wood destroying beetle most of which can be identified by the characteristic damage they leave behind. A specialist damp and timber survey would typically involve an inspection of the property to visually identify any areas of damp or water related damage. The inspection would also include a check of surface finishes with a damp meter to identify any elevated levels of moisture content within the construction materials. If specifically requested or instructed, the inspection may include lifting of floor boards to inspect sub floor areas for signs of damp related damage or wood destroying beetle attack. As part of the report the cause of the damp will be assessed and recommendations given for repairs and treatment works, whether these be damp proofing, wall finish treatments or improvements to ventilation etc. It should be ensured that the survey is completed by a Property Care Association (PCA) approved contractor or surveyor.

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