Because it is highly likely to contain, as a result of the rising damp , ground salts such as chlorides and nitrates. These are hygroscopic which means that they can absorb moisture from the atmosphere so in cases of high humidity there is continuing internal wall dampness. Replacing the plaster removes this problem and using a special salt retardant additive in the replastering will prevent any residual salts in the brickwork from migrating into the plaster after the rising damp has been controlled.

In this situation the problem is one of lateral water pressure and it is exacerbated by being only a single brick wall with no cavity. A solution would be to apply a waterproof sand and cement render to the inside of the wall to hold the moisture back and take this up to a level 300mm above next door's drive level. But it would also be vital to make a deep seal joint at the wall/floor junction and link the render to the floor dpm (damp proof membrane) to ensure continuity of protection.

Rising damp is a specific ground floor condition manifesting itself on outside walls (although it can also affect some interior walls) starting at the skirting boards and rising up to no more than 1 metre above the floor level. It also has a tendency to peak at the corners of the wall.
Condensation on the other hand can arise anywhere in the property where the right atmospheric conditions prevail dependent on temperature, humidity and insulation.
The tricky problem however is deciding between rising damp and condensation as the cause of ground floor wall dampness and, sadly, rising damp is incorrectly diagnosed all too often. This is where the skills of a trained and qualified surveyor are needed because the two conditions have very different moisture profiles. Fill in our online enquiry form to arrange a survey.

Condensation occurs when warm moisture laden air meets a cold surface. Ordinarily the air in our atmosphere contains anything between 0 to 4% water vapour. The key factors involved in causing condensation are – The amount of water vapour in the property (measured in relative humidity), the amount of air circulation in the property and the air temperature both inside and outside. Basically the warmer the air temperature the greater its capacity for holding water vapour, therefore making it more likely that condensation will occur. As the air cools it will reach a point where it can no longer hold water vapour (The dew point) and the water vapour will start to condensate, forming as small droplets of water on the cooler surface – for example on windows.

Condensation can arise anywhere within the property as long as the right atmospheric conditions are available. Rising damp however is specific to the ground floor only of the property. It appears mainly on outside walls (although it can also affect interior walls). Rising damp can rise to approx 1m above the floor level. Condensation is often misdiagnosed by inexperienced surveyors as Rising damp in ground floor conditions. This is where a skilled and trained surveyor is required for an accurate diagnosis.

Condensation can cause damage not only to your home but your belongings too. Stains, mould and mildew are visual signs of a condensation problem but condensation can also lead to poor health and respiratory problems – for example asthma. Ignore condensation at your peril!

Excessive moisture, from a flood, leak or defective guttering, for example. Rot can also occur when timbers are in contact with damp walls due to lack of ventilation or lack of an effective damp proof course, for instance. It is usually found in hidden unventilated voids where timbers are present. Wet rot stays localised to the source of moisture and the timber is wet in appearance.

It is not possible to provide any cost of treatment until the full extent of the problem is identified. To do this, we would have to carry out a full survey before we could provide a quotation.
However, as dry rot can spread to other areas not evident at the time of inspection, we recommend a full exposure survey be carried out to all adjoining areas to avoid unforeseen additional works and costs. Only then can we provide a fixed price quotation for all identified and listed works, as will be stated in our report.

The longer wet rot is left untreated, the further the decay can extend, causing additional disruption and increased costs when the problem is addressed. It is recommended that any expected wet rot be checked by a qualified surveyor as soon aas possible. Fill in our online enquiry form to arrange a survey.

Good building maintenance is essential, including keeping the property watertight, free from damp and rectifying defects as soon as they become apparent.

The difference between these 2 different types of rot is as follows: Dry rot does not need to be near the source of moisture and grows via hyphae growth. Often a fruiting body is visible that disperses millions of Dry rot spores. Wet rot has to be close to the source of moisture. The timber will show signs of cuboidal cracking.

The longer the rot problem is left that more expensive it will be to rectify. The decay of the timbers will spread further making for more possible disruption when the issue is finally addresses. Fill in our online enquiry form to arrange a survey.

All rots are as a result of moisture entering the building at some point. As long as the building is well maintained and kept water tight and free from damp, problems should be kept to a minimum.

It would not be possible to say for definite without seeing a sample, but there are other signs of woodworm infestation in your property you can look for. For instance, holes in any of the structural timbers or any evidence of bore dust (small piles of dust, sometimes called ‘frass’), which is caused by adult woodworm beetles emerging from the timber. If so, you really need an experienced surveyor to carry out a thorough inspection so that the infestation can be dealt with promptly and effectively. Fill in our online enquiry form to arrange for one of our surveyors to come and see you.

Our treatment targets the young larvae buried within the timber and, as the life cycle of the insect is between 3 and 4 years in the case of Common Furniture Beetle, there can still be some woodworm beetles which have reached the adult stage emerging from the timber. This is commonly called “post treatment emergence”. However, any eggs that may be laid in cracks, crevices or old flight holes will not survive the treatment that has been applied to the timber, therefore breaking the life cycle.

No. We would only carry out treatment to areas where infestation was evident. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations restrict the use of chemicals where not absolutely necessary.

Not necessarily, this can only be determined after a specialist survey to examine the true condition of the ties on each elevation. This will involve use of an endoscope and the physical removal of sample ties. The condition of the ties may vary from elevation to elevation particularly in exposed locations. If you are concerned fill in our online enquiry form to arrange a survey.

Because they will continue to corrode, old wall ties need to be either removed or isolated from further exposure to water and air. Physical removal usually involves taking out bricks which makes it a disruptive and more costly approach.
If the ties are heavily corroded, it is sometimes feasible to snap off the end of the tie in the outer leaf which is the section most susceptible to corrosion.
The alternative, and more commonly adopted, solution is isolation. This involves raking out the mortar joint thoroughly to expose both sides of the tie and then encapsulate it using polyurethane foam. The joint is then repointed, taking care to match the existing mortar as far as possible.