Common Furniture Beetle (woodworm), infestation; Quick guide for consumers and surveyors too.

WOODWORM!  oh dear, it is a scary name for sure.  Fortunately it’s not usually as big a problem as first appears, however, there are exceptions. In severe cases the damage this tiny insect can cause is quite shocking. This year I’ve already been involved in several pretty extensive repairs, including a complete renewal of a […]

Damp problems solved “the green way” (or how to spend a pile of cash for nothing at all).

I was asked to have a look at a cottage, just off the A1, near Pontefract last week. Arriving on site, I was greeted by my clients; the owners. A couple in late middle age, with two dogs and a cat. I thought this was a standard damp survey, which usually means checking for all […]

Educating Building Surveying and architectural technologist students on damp diagnosis.

Last Thursday I spent some time at Leeds Metropolitan University.  I was invited to give the students a lecture on damp diagnosis. The course tutor is a fan of this blog and wanted to give the students an early chance to get some information direct from the outside world, rather than via textbooks. I stayed […]

Preservation expert Damp diagnosis presentation at LHL Group’s York headquarters

It was off to the Chocolate Works in York last Wednesday. LHL director and building surveyor Matthew Ward invited me along to talk to the surveying team about damp diagnosis. This is part of LHL’s commitment to continuing professional development, designed to keep the surveying team on a constant learning curve. LHL Group’s York office […]

The Leeds Estate Agents, Surveyors and Valuers Association annual luncheon; a room full of winners.

I spent last Friday afternoon at the Hilton Hotel in the centre of Leeds.  David Grindrod, of well known Leeds Chartered Surveyors, Wardle Grindrod, kindly invited me as his guest – along with Eddie Lumley of St James’s Place Partnership; financial consultant and Karen Conway of Wrigleys Solicitors.  David’s office administrators Carol and Hilary completed […]

Copyright © 2010 Preservation Expert. Legal Stuff: All the advice and information in the posts on my blog is made in good faith and is based on my experience and knowledge at the time of writing. However, nobody is infallible and whilst I’m confident that most of what I write about preservation issues is accurate, there’s a good chance there’ll be an error or two somewhere. I do change my mind about stuff, as I gain more experience. In view of this you must make your own decisions on whether to follow any advice I write and think about this; I could be wrong. No responsibility will be accepted by the author for any losses anyone may suffer as a result of any mistake or for the consequence of any action you take as a result of reading this blog. If you do suffer a loss, resulting from anything I’ve written, a verbal heartfelt apology will be your only compensation.