- 10/10 Mould/Damp Survey and resolution work
Posted 1 week ago
I found David and Perma-Fix overall to be very good. David was very knowledgeable and offered great support over the phone and on site. I appreciated their help a great deal which included a new ventilation system. I am so happy my mould issues have now been resolved. Very helpful. I would recommend that you give them a call. - 10/10 Woodworm treatment in living room
Posted 15 May
David was very responsive and providing a quote for the works. The work was carried out soon after in a professional manner. Would definitely recommend. - 8/10 Woodworm treatment in the ground floor of my property
Posted 14 May
I was happy with the flexibility of the company to complete the job in two stages and promptly. Very kind to fix the flooring down in my kitchen. I would have appreciated replies to my messages about the condition of the floorboards and timbers. I think communication with clients could be improved.
Author: admin
-
A few of this months reviews…
-
Damp proofing Portsmouth
Damp proofing Portsmouth & Southsea’s Victorian houses.
For years residents of the UK’s only island city have been counting the cost of damp proofing Portsmouth and Southsea’s Victorian houses. Many homes have been treated with high-pressure injection fluids and tanking slurries in the attempt to fight rising damp; but it keeps coming back!
Why houses in Portsmouth suffer from so much rising-damp
It is important to remember that much of the city’s old housing is built on reclaimed marshland and mud; as might be well expected due to the proximity of The Solent to the south, Portsmouth harbour to the west and Langstone harbour to the east.
The little Morass in Old Portsmouth and the Great Morass in Southsea were drained and reshaped during the Victorian era. The additional land that was available from the drained area was swallowed up by Victorian houses having shallow foundations constructed with absorbent clay bricks and lime-based mortars. Additionally, the poor quality of the ground in parts resulted in subsidence and structural issues in some properties though retrofit masonry repair and reinforcement works help to stabilise affected housing.
What other factors contribute to damp in old houses?
The Hampshire coast was one of the first areas in the UK to use cavity wall construction as a standard building technique. Most of the housing built in the city after 1870 was constructed with a weather-proofing outer façade that was tied to the main structure of the building with cavity tie irons. Over the years cavities become blocked by mortar droppings and debris. Blocked cavities can bridge the damp course and allow dampness to track from the façade to the inner walls; a mixture of rising and penetrating damp.
Modern Methods of Damp proofing Portsmouth Homes
Considering the typical levels of ground moisture in many areas of the city and the absorbent nature of the Victorian building materials it is little wonder that damp blights so many old houses in Portsmouth. Fortunately PermaFix has the answer. New DPC injection with silicone based emulsion creams are the latest in chemical damp proofing technology. Many are tested and certified for use in old houses by the British Board of Agrement. PermaFix only use BBA approved damp proofing cream. In addition an air-gap membrane is fitted to the wall prior to renewing the plasterwork. This puts a barrier between the damp-but-drying walls and the plastered finishes of customers’ homes; protecting against risng damp, penetrating damp and the effects of low-level blocked cavities.
PermaFix are experts in Damp proofing Portsmouth and Southsea’s Victorian houses effectively, call 023 9235 0992 / 07952 011767 for a FREE survey.
-
Treating Damp Basement Walls in Portsmouth and Southsea
Treating damp in basement walls has been an essential part of utilising space in many Southsea homes for many years. Large sea-front properties are generally positioned just a few feet above sea-level and have large half-cellars, which have formed part of the living area since construction way back in the 1860’s. Of course most of the 4 storey houses, running between Osborne Road and Kent Road in Portsmouth have long since been turned into large modern flats.
Damp Survey
PermaFix were contacted by a purchaser of one of the semi-basement flats, who needed to have the walls treated for damp. One of our surveyors called to assess the level of dampness in the flat and to establish its cause. Our inspection notes recorded that the building was an early example of a cavity walled structure above ground; the cavity being in-filled at basement level. The internal floor level of the basement is approximately 1m below the external ground level; hence the term ‘semi basement’. Many of the walls showed no signs of dampness and it transpired that these walls had previously been effectively treated by a reputable damp proof contractor that works nationwide. Surprisingly however several walls had not previously treated and these walls were damp up to various heights.
When treating damp in basement walls it is important to understand that a portion of the property’s walls are buried below outside ground level and that dampness from the surrounding soil is absorbed into the walls. It is also vital to realise the difference between damp proofing cellars and waterproofing them; treating damp prevents dampness form being absorbed into the living area of the property whilst waterproofing requires a design that protects against water ingress. For this Southsea project the householder was clear that the basement flat was to be treated for penetrating and rising damp rather that to have a full waterproofing system installed with pumps and sumps that are designed to dispel flood water.
Treating Damp
PermaFix operatives, removed all damp and salt affected plaster from the walls and injected a chemical damp proof course above outside ground level to combat rising damp. To protect the lower sections of the internal walls the operatives introduce a tanking system that included a physical moisture barrier in the form of a mesh-faced membrane, in line with that which had been used during the previous basement damp-proofing works. Our plastering team promptly renewed the plaster, allowing the owner to move into the Southsea basement flat in the knowledge that works for treating damp walls are complete.
Southsea based PermaFix are expert at treating damp walls in basement rooms. In addition we offer options for full cementitious tanking and a complete cellar waterproofing system that involves fitting cavity drain membranes, perimeter channels, sumps, pumps and water alarms.
Call 023 9235 0992 / 07952 011767 to book a FREE survey
-
How to Stop Condensation
Properties in the UK can become damp for a wide variety of reasons. We are often asked how to stop condensation in flats and houses and the answer is more simple; humidity control. However controlling humidity and condensation does require positive input from those living in the property.
Condensation is the most common way that properties become damp internally and this is never more evident than during ‘condensation season’, which runs from September until April. This is the time when the weather is cold and wet and people turn up their heating, a major factor in managing condensation as warmer air can hold more water vapour than cooler air.
It is also a time when drying laundry indoors on rainy days; both tumble drying clothes and airing them on radiators adds a great amount of water vapour to the surrounding warm air, water which then condenses into liquid again upon contact with cool surfaces such as windows or walls. In the case of contact with windows, the water will drain down and collect on sills and the wall beneath, rotting timber sills and and causing them to weaken. When soaking into walls, the very structure of the building becomes compromised and conditions are set for the growth of black mould; a health hazzard associated with asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions, as well as allergies.
Humidity Control using Mechanical Ventilation
If you are wondering how to stop condensation in the home; rest assurred there are practical ways of doing it. Ventilation is a key factor and PermaFix is adept at supplying positive preesure fans and heat recovery units that force humid moist air out of the home and replace it with warmed dry and fresh air. We are expert in fitting the Nuaire Drimaster, Flatmaster and Twistfix heat exchange ventilation in houses and flats across Hampshire, from Southampton to Portsmouth at highly competitive rates.
How to stop condensation using good housekeeping measures
The major difference between condensation and other forms of dampness is that you personally have the ability to reduce moisture generation in the home. Normal activities such as bathing, washing and cooking all produce moisture which cannot be avoided. However simple changes can be effective in how to stop condensation damp:
- Increase heating and insulation to keep walls warm
- Keep lids on saucepans while cooking.
- Vent tumble driers to the outside.
- Do not use of bottled liquid-gas or paraffin heaters.
- Do not hang washing on radiators.
- When cooking/ bathing keep kitchen/ bathroom windows open and close doors to stop steam spreading through the house
During condensation season, many homeowners begin to notice problems being caused by damp, either from condensation, external factors or a combination of both. So if you are looking for a company that knows how to stop condensation then give us a call; PermaFix are a company that specialses in the control of damp to protect against the myriad of problems caused during this time of year. We also provide professional-quality solutions for basement waterproofing, crack stitching and cavity tie replacement in Southampton and Portsmouth and along the whole Hampshire coastline.