Preservit Ltd

ABOUT US

We are a family run business accredited to TRUSTMARK in which we commit working to Government endorsed standards.

With over 40 years’ experience in the timber & damp industry and 28 years in business we offer a friendly, reliable and trustworthy service, we pride ourselves on the correct diagnosis for dampness and timber decay, we give competitive prices on all work with a 20-year written guarantee, we can offer our clients an Insurance Backed Guarantee through GPI who are an authorised and regulated leading UK insurer. 

WHAT IS DAMP PROOFING & TIMBER DECAY DO I NEED A SURVEY? 

Damp Proofing is a method of moisture control that prevents the build-up of damp within floors and walls throughout a residential or commercial property. One of the main causes of property damage throughout the UK is untreated underlying moisture, which can cause a variety of problems such as dry rot, wet rot and penetrating damp. Your home or business could suffer from serious structural damage if there are signs of damp that remain untreated for a length of time … so It is vital to eliminate the problem at the earliest possible stage!

TIMBER & DAMP SURVEYS/REPORTS 

Our approach to damp control and timber preservation starts with a survey undertaken by one of our highly experienced team of surveyors.

This allows us to develop an understanding of the underlying cause of any problems we identify and the way the problems sometimes interact. we provide a written report by email setting out our conclusions and recommendations including quotations where appropriate. Subsequent work is supported by an extensive range of guarantees.

Our specialist surveyors are always clicking away on their cameras on timber and damp inspections, see our latest posts on what we come across here: LATEST UPDATES

Why Rising Damp is Often Misdiagnosed & How Preservit Ltd accurately Identify It

Rising damp is a commonly discussed problem in buildings, particularly older ones. However, it is also one of the most frequently misdiagnosed damp issues. Understanding why this misdiagnosis happens and how to correctly identify rising damp is crucial for effective treatment and maintaining the integrity of your property.

Damp problems in buildings can be complicated, with several potential causes including condensation, penetrating damp, and rising damp. Each has distinct characteristics and requires different treatment approaches. Misdiagnosis often occurs because the symptoms of these different damp problems can appear similar.

Why Rising Damp is Misdiagnosed

Rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation can all cause damp patches on walls, peeling wallpaper, and even mould growth. Without a thorough investigation, it’s easy to mistake one for another.

Visual signs alone are often misleading. Rising damp typically affects the lower parts of walls, but so can other types of dampness if there’s poor ventilation or external water ingress at ground level due to DPC bridging.

There’s sometimes a lack of understanding of how rising damp occurs. True rising damp is due to groundwater moving up through a wall by capillary action, which is only possible if the building lacks an effective damp-proof course or has been damaged.

Using moisture meters without understanding their limitations can lead to incorrect conclusions. These meters can give high readings due to factors other than rising damp, like condensation or salt deposits.

Rising damp typically presents as a ‘tide line’ of dampness up to 1 meter above floor level, often with salt deposits and peeling or blistering paint or wallpaper.

Preservit Ltd are damp specialists we can conduct an investigation, including looking for a damp-proof course, examining external ground levels, and using specialised diagnostic tools.

Understanding the building’s age, construction type, and history of damp issues can provide important clues.

Our surveyor’s look for external factors like inadequate drainage, high ground levels, or damaged gutters and downpipes that can contribute to damp issues.

Misdiagnosis of rising damp can lead to unnecessary and costly treatments. Accurate diagnosis requires a holistic approach that considers building characteristics, external factors, and thorough testing. 

Contact us for an accurate assessment and appropriate remediation strategies. Remember, effective treatment starts with the right diagnosis.