The property featured was a 500 year old timber framed farmhouse passed down through 4 family generations. Built on brick plinths using oak posts as vertical supports the property had fallen into a poor state of repair. It was suffering from failing structural timbers through rot and timber infestation, an uninhabitable basement with dampness rising through the floor and walls, cracks to the external render and a leaking roof. Safety had become a major issue. But the owners with a strong emotional attachment to the property were determined to bring their home back to its former glory.
Malcolm Thornton, Managing Director of DWC says“It was a daunting challenge to the owners of the property. However once our qualified surveyors had carried out a full diagnostic survey to the property, we were able to diagnose the issues and working together with the clients’ contractor and structural engineer, a project plan was put in place.”
Timber Decay - Prevention and Cure
Water entering the building via cracked rendering and the leaking roof had led to extensive timber decay providing the ideal conditions for wet rot and beetle infestation to spread throughout the timbers. Essential repairs were made to the roof and rendering to prevent any further water entering the building, the key cause of timber decay. But the extent of the timber damage was widespread and the potential cost and building implications of removing and replacing the decayed timbers was a major concern to the owners.
The solution was to use Timber Resin Splice (TRS), a revolutionary cost effective system using resin coated steel connectors which are inserted into the timbers. This allows the decayed ends and mid sections of the timbers to be strengthened rather than removing and replacing them from the building. The result is a low intervention method of repair which allows the original appearance and integrity of the building to be retained.
Beetle Infestation Control
An active infestation of the wood boring Death Watch Beetle in the roof void also needed immediate attention. These beetles are predominately found in old oak beams and thrive in damp conditions as the larvae tunnel through the already weakened rotten wood so damaging it further. The approach is to dry out the timbers by eliminating all points of water ingress followed by an injection of the appropriate specialist insecticide to kill and prevent further infestation of the beetles and their larvae.
Basement Transformation
The next area to be addressed was the large damp basement which the owners were keen to convert from a damp redundant space into a dry living space.
Diagnosis of Waterproofing System
Working to BS8102-2009 guidelines, the system used was determined by in-depth diagnosis of the surrounding area; water table, soil type, tensile strength of the building. The survey showed free flowing water and hydrostatic water pressure as the major contributing factors to the basement dampness. Other sources of moisture ingress were lateral penetration of capillary held moisture from the adjacent ground, dampness rising in the walls and through the floor, moisture penetrating through the wall/floor junctions and condensation caused by a combination of high humidity and cold surfaces.
Cavity Drainage System
The system selected for this project was a Cavity Drainage System as opposed to the alternative method, a Cementitious Waterproof Membrane. Alan Shaw, DWC Certified Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW) says ‘This is a very efficient and environmentally friendly system ideal for this type of building. A waterproof membrane is applied over the walls and floor creating a waterproof box. Water entering on the wet-side is drained to a sump chamber and pumped away to drainage point or by natural drainage. It is essential the whole system is designed, installed and maintained correctly which is all part of the expertise and after installation care we offer.’
A beautifully restored home and a wonderful example of property preservation at its most successful proving that with the correct approach coupled with technical expertise a building can truly be brought back to life.
For damp proofing and property preservation advice call DWCUK or see our website for more information www.dwcuk.com
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