Most surveyors are well aware that black-ash mortar causes wall tie corrosion. However, there are not many opportunities to see this as clearly demonstrated as it is in my video. I was fortunate to be asked to survey a property in Gargrave, North Yorkshire today. The pre-war semi, is constructed in a combination of sand […]
Archives for 2010
Where do all these damp and timber treatment solutions come from? Can they be relied upon?
20 Jun 10 by
It’s all very well specialist damp-proofing contractors making promises, to solve damp problems and eliminate timber infestations. The thing is though, on what facts are these promises based on? To find out, I spent a couple of days at Safeguard Europe’s UK headquarters in Horsham Sussex. I found the semi-industrial unit on a none descript […]
Doctor Eric’s paper – nails the coffin lid on the rising damp ‘myth’.
15 Jun 10 by
It’s refreshing to know that talented people are working on solving preservation problems. Dr Eric Rirsch’s new paper on the issue is a fascinating and detailed study, which should be at the top of anyones reading list. The most striking thing I found is the way mortar type effects how damp rises. As a surveyor […]
The Rising Damp myth is….a scandal; like yesterday’s MMR scare.
06 Jun 10 by
Rising damp is a myth, some say. Not many really think so; that would be stupid, but those who believe this nonsense seem to have the ear of the press and the ear of RIBA and RICS too. So instead of being drowned out by howls of derision from the those who really know about […]