Six things to check and do before you choose a damp-proofing specialist.

Damp-proofing, timber treatment and waterproofing specialists are ten a penny – Google or Yell will find you lots of them when you need one. However, like all trades there are good ones and bad, ignorant and clever, honest and not – how do you stack the odds in your favour? The thing is, that damp […]

An informal CPD on condensation, for the Leeds independent RICS surveyors forum

Yesterday I spent an hour or so chatting with building surveyors in North Leeds.  The subject was damp, with particular attention to condensation and mould growth. The Leeds independent surveyors forum is a long established group of RICS members who meet up to help each other stay with trends in the housing market in West […]

25th aniversary newsletter is full of damp proofing,wall tie and structural repair jobs from 2011

It’s just over 25 years since I started Brick-Tie and our forth annual newsletter showcases a handfull of jobs done over the past year including specialist structural repairs to commercial buildings, cintec and helifix tie work, conservation work and news on more training and awards for my team. Click here to view pdf.. I’m very […]

Rising damp in Yorkshire’s post war housing is often caused by construction defects and… rationing!

Quite a statement and one I may get taken up on. However, I find that in the majority of cases, where these relatively new houses have rising damp, there’s nothing wrong with the original DPC. In saying that I do sometimes recommend installation of a new one, depending on the circumstance. Here’s why.  Bridging built […]

Spray Foam for a grade 2 listed building in Yorkshire..good idea?

A large roof can take some looking after. One way which has been promoted to help keep slates in place is foam, sprayed on the underside of the slates and laths. many don’t like it…it just seems wrong.  Especially in this case when it’s been used in an 18th century grade 2 listed building in […]

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.