Working on damp proofing a basement on Colchester

Damp is one of the main problems found in period properties, and certainly one that we come across a lot. There are over 4 million homes in the UK dating back to just the Victorian and Edwardian times, and some even older than that, so it is a very common problem. 

Signs to look for are rotting window frames, signs of leaks on ceilings and walls and musty smells or mould growth. Sometimes it is caused by owners over the years using inappropriate materials while repairing or renovating the house. For example, lime plaster was traditionally used in many of these buildings, and this allowed the property to ‘breathe’ as moisture can escape through it. Sometimes owners working on a budget, scrimp on this and use other ineffective materials such as cement-based pointing and render, causing moisture to build up and leading to damp problems, which ends up costing more money in the long run to rectify. Poor ventilation in the property is another potential cause of damp. There could also be damaged pointing, drains and gutters that can all cause problems.

We are fully qualified to restore period properties using traditional techniques, of lime plastering, lime rendering, to name but a few. Many jobs over the years have involved damp proofing properties and there are very few damp problems that are insurmountable. If you are thinking of buying a period property, it is always a good idea to have a damp survey carried out by a chartered surveyor who specialises in such buildings.