Archives for 2010

Using a membrane behind dry-linings, as a damp-proofing method needs thought….

As a damp proofing specialist I regularly use membranes to avoid damp.  However, the use of cavity drain membranes is increasing and on many occasions I find that they are incorrectly specified and cause problems. This is not the fault of the materials, merely poor knowledge of the specifyer.  Sometimes a builder, sometimes a customer […]

Green Damp-proofing system seen stopping damp rising up through windows….

Dry Rot is ill, this is Doctor Hindlefokker, sitting in for him. The well documented problem of damp, rising up through vindows and frames, then up through zee lintls and such is a thing of the past.  As can be seen in the image below, damp can be removed from zee vall over zee lintel […]

Hurray! Damp Guarantees – now last forever….Guaranteed!

‘Green’ damp solving systems from the ‘Neverlands’ now come with a ‘lifetime’ guarantee. How do you define “lifetime” The inventor’s lifetime?  The customer’s lifetime? the lifetime of the house?  the installing technician’s? the installing limited company? – or the Daily Star advertising director’s? I don’t know.  What I do know is that all companies who […]

Another one bites the dust (or when is a guarantee not a guarantee).

Oh dear. Another call this week from someone in Leeds, looking for a damp-proofing firm so they can claim on their guarantee. Most companies involved in damp-proofing, timber treatment and basement waterproofing offer some form of guarantee. This may vary in length from 10 years to as long as 30 years. Once issued, the guarantee […]

Property Care Association Flood Remediation course July 2010

Last Tuesday and Wednesday I attended this two day course at PCA HQ in Huntingdon. Whilst I’ve been involved in a few flood repair jobs, I was keen to learn more, especially following the PCA flood remediation CPD I attended the other week, courtesy of The institute of specialist surveyors and engineers.see this post Some […]

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