Damp proof specialists in Southampton?

Suzkin

Can anyone recommend a damp-proof specialist in Southampton, Hampshire?

Insite I've had problems with - they want ME to tell them what the problem is (I'm no expert!), and also charge £75 for a call out.

Capricron - a few people have not recommended them, plus they once thought I had wall ties, when in fact the wall was solid brick!:o

Are there any other damp-proofers in Southampton that are known to be (very) good?

Thanks.

argyle_2

I too would welcome hearing about wall specialists in Southampton. Our property suffers from two very cold internal walls which attract mould.

Wouldn't recommend Capricorn, they never proved too helpful to me.

iamcornholio

You are better off instructing a building surveyor - as he is less likely to have a lot of damp treatment employees waiting for the work following the suprisingly high damp readings

If you do, then ensure that the building surveyor will actually inspect and comment on damp issues and not just recommend a specialist damp treatment surveyor.

For some odd reason, some building surveyors don't see to want to or be able to comment on dampness anymore, and just want to play safe and cover their own backsides

justjohn

have a look at cost of materials for creams and liquid dpc courses

Do a search for permaguard on google. Some manufacturers of creams/liquid dpc even offer insurance policies.

Damp proofers are on goooood money to good. Hardest part of the job most of the time is diagnosis.

justjohn

Suzkin wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a damp-proof specialist in Southampton, Hampshire?

Insite I've had problems with - they want ME to tell them what the problem is (I'm no expert!), and also charge £75 for a call out.

Capricron - a few people have not recommended them, plus they once thought I had wall ties, when in fact the wall was solid brick!:o

Are there any other damp-proofers in Southampton that are known to be (very) good?

Thanks.

If you want just info ..thats accurate, use rentokil. But they are expensive for the job. They provide free quotes nice glossy quote/book. Even has enough info for you to diy it lol

Suzkin

iamcornholio wrote: »

You are better off instructing a building surveyor - as he is less likely to have a lot of damp treatment employees waiting for the work following the suprisingly high damp readings

If you do, then ensure that the building surveyor will actually inspect and comment on damp issues and not just recommend a specialist damp treatment surveyor.

For some odd reason, some building surveyors don't see to want to or be able to comment on dampness anymore, and just want to play safe and cover their own backsides

Hi and thanks for your comment, although initially you suggest consulting a building surveyor, and later say they don't seem to want to deal or comment on with dampness??

littlesnuggy

ProTen Services are national and cover Southampton. They do the Queen's dampproofing so aren't the sort who would rip you off!

dampdaveski

littlesnuggy wrote: »

ProTen Services are national and cover Southampton. They do the Queen's dampproofing so aren't the sort who would rip you off!

They've also entered into a CVA agreement. I won't make any further comment, if you're in any doubt simply google 'CVA agreement'.

I suggest you have a look on the property care association website www.property-care.org and get a couple of local contractors round.

Regarding building surveyors not wanting to comment on 'damp' anymore, that is quite simply because in my experience a high proportion of them wouldn't know a true case of rising damp (or otherwise) if it smacked them in the face.
They will also want to charge you around £250 (maybe more maybe less) for the pleasure of their visit.
You are more likely to find a decent honest contractor in the PCA than just any numpty out the phone book.
Ask the following
Do they have the CSRT qualification?
Do they have Professional Indemnity insurance?
Can they offer an insurance backed guarantee for any work they do such as the GPT scheme.
these are a pre requisite for membership of the PCA.
If people don't want to come round after asking these questions then there is a very good chance you don't want the benefit of their 'expertise'
No I don't work for the PCA, yes my company is a long standing member.
Alternatively try one of the independant damp and timber surveyors such as the lovely David Aldred who (like myself) regularly posts on here.

Hope this helps

Suzkin

I've phoned Rentokill (after viewing their website), and it appeared from the receptionist (who asked me a LOT of questions), that they wopuldn't be able to help me as the walls are solid brick- ? It wasn't a problem for my neighbours (terraced), although they are not particularly 'nice' and so I wouldn't know who they used.

Apparently though I was still able to make an appointment with a surveyor (who has CSRT qual. and others). I was told they would put a 2-prong meter in the walls, and may also bore into the wall to take samples - ?? I feel very dubbious about this, and damp proof meter readings generally, although will take with the surveyor first. I KNOW there's a damp problem - this property has never been damp-proofed, and the walls are self-evident.

I'm also making an appointment via PCA website for a contractor to visit.

David_Aldred

Hi Suzkin,
Is the damnpness confined to the outside walls or is it also on internal walls dividing rooms? Was the property built with a damp proof course?

The external walls will be subject to penetrating dampness and condensation the latter of which may be occurring within the wall itself during cold / wet weather. Is the outside rendered / painted? Have the external walls been re-pointed in cement mortar ? All of these and several other factors have a bearing upon unwanted levels of dampness within such solid external walls that can accumulate over time to give apparent low level dampness and sustain such even during more favourable weather.

The problem is these moisture sources such as penetrating dampness and condensation within the external wall itself can be difficult to differentiate between them and true rising dampness to such solid external walls, especially if the level of investigation is limited to electrical damp meters and drillings for carbide meter testing. Be aware that electrical damp meters used on the plaster surface and even carbide meters used on site are unable to confirm actual failure of a damp proof course, or differentiate such from penetrating dampness / condensation to external solid walls.

What you may have to do is cover all bases with any intended works because for example if you only treat for a guess at the problem being rising dampness such a system may not be able to hold back any penetrating dampness and therefore it would tend to fail over time.

Sometimes a good solution (though by no means the only one), if funds are available is to waterproof grade dry line external walls over their full height incorporating insulation and effective vapour barriers since such a system masks the effects of penetrating damp / any true rising damp whilst improving the insulation of the property. Kindest regards, David Aldred Independent damp and timber surveyor

Suzkin

Hi David,

Thanks for your message. I've only glanced at it (a carpenter is coming in a minute..), and so I'll read it again soon, and then get back in touch - either on this public forum, or I'll PM you. Thanks very much.