David Morton, Consultant Surveyor, CSSW, CSRT
When Is The Best Time To Carry Out Remedial Damp Proofing?
by David Morton, Consultant Surveyor, CSSW, CSRT
In this blog, we are focusing on rising damp (from the ground) above external ground levels. We are not really referring to remedial sub-floor waterproofing.
Well, if you take it right back to the start of the build process, then damp proofing is typically done during original construction. The purpose is to reduce moisture transfer from soil through a foundation wall. Whichever option is used, or if it is a combination of products, the best damp proofing materials are safe and effective.
Now, let’s consider this: it’s 50–100 years on from when the property was built and there is evidence of damp ingress / rising damp from the ground, which can be attributed to either defective damp proof course, “bridged” damp proof course or walls which may not have a continuous damp proof course. Where evidence of dampness is found, following a survey carried out by a specialist damp proofing Surveyor and a specification or remedial damp proofing work is presented, one of the questions we are often asked, is “When is the best time to undertake the necessary damp proofing and rendering / plastering work?”
There is a general opinion that the best time must be during the summer months and this is right in so many ways. However, in truth, there is no definitive answer to this question. It is usually dependant on when is the right time for our client.
Summer
There are probably more “pros” to having the work carried out during the spring and summer months, although our busy times, certainly over the past 4-5 years, have been all through the year. There has been no noticeable drop of work being carried out during the winter, compared to the summer. Some of the benefits to having work carried out in the spring and summer include:
- Windows can be opened while work is being carried out (to remove air-born dust) and after the work has been completed, to provide a good airflow and aid the drying.
- Heating is not usually needed, so where radiators have to be removed to facilitate the work, it is not going to result in cold rooms.
- Psychologically, it is often better to put up with the upheaval when the weather is good, rather than in the winter when it can be wet and cold.
- Initial drying of walls which have been replastered will improve, where the air is naturally warmer and there is a through-flow of natural ventilation.
- It may be possible to organise the work dates for a time when the owners are on holiday so that they are not so inconvenienced, as long as any preparation works that need to be completed by others (plumbers, electricians etc.) prior to our attendance. Our operatives are used to working this way and you can be sure your property will be respected and will be secured when we are not working in it.
- Re-decoration may be able to be carried out slightly quicker than in the colder winter months. Our general advice is that re-decoration should not be carried out for at least 4-6 weeks following completion of the remedial damp proofing work. In the summer, this can often be closer to the 4 week period, although should not be before 4 weeks, whereas in the winter months, it is likely to be closer to the 6 week period.
Autumn and winter
These are just some of the things to consider but! as stated earlier, we do undertake this type of work all year round. Some good reasons to have the work done during autumn / winter months are:
- Quite simply, you just want the work done as soon as possible so that is finished and you can get your house looking as good as it should without the damp affected areas.
- There is a change of tenancy period during the winter and the work needs to be completed during that period.
- If you have the work done during the winter, then by early spring / summer, you should be able to re-decorate newly treated walls.
- You may not have to wait for long periods of time to get the work started during the winter, as less of our technicians and plasterers will be on holiday. This is something which can affect the summer period.
- Finances to get the work done are in place and it is just better for you to have the work done, rather than wait a number of months.
- If the quotation is provided during the autumn or winter months and the decision is to wait until summer to have work carried out, it could be affected by price increases which need to be applied. Preservation Treatments have always tried to either not apply price increases, or only apply the minimum, which is usually following increases in material costs.
So! There are many things to consider when organising remedial damp proofing work. If you would like to discuss this with our Surveyor, following the survey carried out, or with our Contracts Department, please contact us on:
Tel: 01276 66466
Email: info@preservationtreatments.co.uk
