If you are in or around Cape town, professional damp assessments are available to help you quantify the extent of your damp issue, supported by technology and resulting in a detailed report reflecting findings and recommendations. Our damp assessments are available as a standalone service (e.g. for prospective buyers), or as the initial step to estimate any damp remediation work required by property owners.
Our very thorough investigation melds professional experience with the aid of hygrometer and thermal imaging tools.
We conduct these assessments on-site to determine the source of damp ingress (e.g. rising damp, lateral damp, a faulty tanking system, or leaking concrete roof / deck / patio / slabs). We then advise you on viable damp solutions and, if appropriate, quote you on damp repair and remedial works. Existing floor coverings, cupboards etc may block the thorough tracking of moisture and it may be necessary for obstructions to be removed to aid the investigation. We combine the results of the moisture profile analysis with other checks and investigations in order to reach proper conclusions as to the nature, causes and severity of any damp problem.
We charge a nominal fee for a professional damp assessment - worth it, as you will know exactly what you are dealing with and if we should proceed with damp remediation, part of the job is already done.
Though we are primarily specialists in the damp proofing field, the repair and remedial works involved with most damp proofing projects usually require works from other construction fields (e.g. plumbing, tiling, carpentry, plastering, skimming, painting), either before, during or after the damp proofing works.
We have extensive experience and knowledge in the construction industry, both in a practical and managerial way. We offer you our proficiency, integrity and efficiency (P.I.E) when contracted to project manage damp proofing repairs and related remedial works.
Speak to us to incorporate your repairs and remedial works into one, tightly managed project. We'll worry about the sequence of events, getting the right staff and material on site at the right time, the critical path and proper quality assurance at every step.
References are available on request.
Damp surveyors look for signs such as discoloration or staining of walls, ceilings and floors; peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper; signs (or smells) of mold growth; cracked or damaged plaster; damaged skirting or floorboards; cracks in brickwork or damaged roofing.
Hygrometers (via direct contact or electromagnetic fields) quantify the moisture content in building materials at various points. Thermal imaging cameras finds hidden dampness (e.g. cavity walls) via temperature differences, e.g. cold spots suggest condensation.
If necessary, further investigations may include salt testing for rising damp, ventilation assessment for potential condensation issues, penetrating damp tests to assess wall permeability, damp-proof course (DPC) checks - all in order to pinpoint the exact root cause/s.
Water in the ground underneath or next to walls, rise up through the wall by means of capillary action through the bricks, timber or stonework, stopping at approximately 1.5m when gravity counteracts this upwards force. Salt deposits (efflorescence) may be seen higher up due to the presence of non-breathing wall coverings, plasters, renders and paints. It may occur due to a compromised (or no) damp proofing membrane (DPC). Typical indicators:
Penetrating damp (lateral damp) is the ingress of moisture through the external building envelope seeping into the interior, caused by porous walls, damaged brickwork and building/structural defects such as plaster fractures, defective guttering and downpipes, roof damage, defective or poorly installed windows/doors - all contributing. It can also be from plumbing leaks in walls. Typical Indicators:
Leaking concrete roofs, decks, patios or balconies mean compromised concrete structures causing ingress of moisture into the interior of the space below them, causing damp problems. It requires damp proofing treatment and subsequent remedial works to prevent further damp damage. Structural repairs may be required when waterproofing concrete slabs. We have experience in reinforcing slab stitching as well as concrete column and beam spalling repairs. Typical Indicators:
You may have suffered flooding, or just suspect damp, or received a complaint from tenants, or you have actually observed damp damage, or smelled the mildew or mold that have colonised your structure. You may even have done some initial work to try and stem the problem without success.
It's time to get a professional damp assessment, to:
A detailed report outlines the findings, including the location and extent of dampness, the suspected causes of the dampness, recommended remedial actions to address the dampness and even photographs and diagrams to illustrate the findings, if required.
You won't have to wonder if the damp proofers are "making up" work and you'll be able to make an informed decision on the way forward.
071 478 2666
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72 Bermuda Dr, Capri,