Damp Consultant & Structural Surveyor
Providing damp diagnosis, mortgage approved damp & timber reports and structural surveys throughout Cornwall.
Independent, fully insured, highly qualified (CSRT and Degree level Building Surveying) Damp Consultant & Structural Surveyor with over 30 years construction & property experience. Professionally prepared reports/surveys tailored to your specific requirements.
30+
Years experience
CSRT
Qualified
Fully
Insured
CPR 35
Compliant reports
CSRT & Degree level Building Surveying
What damp is affecting my property?
By far the most common form of dampness. This form of dampness contrary to believe can occur at any time of year, although it is most common during the winter months. Condensation control measures can be as simple as advising how to better control moisture levels within the property. Penetrating dampness. Control measures can be fixing that leaky gutter, replacing that cracked roof tile or reducing external ground levels.
True rising damp is fairly rare, but it does exist as we can bear witness to this. However it is quite often misdiagnosed which can then result in thousands of pounds worth of unnecessary remedial damp-proofing works being carried out. What true rising dampness it is not, is being diagnosed with a moisture meter during a 15 minute ‘survey’. Only forensic damp testing will confirm the presence of true rising dampness.
To diagnose true rising dampness by where moisture is being draw up from the ground into unprotected walls by capillary action can only be achieved by moisture profiling of the wall. This entails taking drilled core samples and testing for moisture content and for the presence of ground salts, namely chlorides and nitrates. This type of investigation is often required in litigation cases and would be very rare during the course of a pre-purchase damp and timber survey.
I provide mortgage approved damp and timber surveys and comprehensive damp diagnosis/reports which are easy to read along with photographs and recommendations to manage any possible defects.
Buying a property or a lower ground floor apartment and require advice on how to manage the dampness? Or considering converting that damp old basement into a habitable room?
I can provide the correct advice or design a water resisting system should this be your requirement.
Condensation can be a destructive and irritating form of dampness. Causing excessive mould growth and high humidity levels it can affect the respiratory system, clothes, the building fabric and can even cause attacks by wood rotting fungi. I have vast experience in diagnosing condensation and will provide you with the correct advice to manage this form of dampness.
I can sympathetically investigate all form of wood rotting fungi from Serpula lacrymans (Dry Rot) to Anobium punctatum – Common Furniture Beetle which is more commonly known by its generic name Woodworm.I can correctly identify what rot or beetle is affecting your property.
Why is this important – Not all beetle infestations require treatment and if a rot is wet rot, it cannot be Dry Rot!
Should you require further information on any of our professional services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
A Pre-purchase Home Condition Survey - Suitable for properties built within the last 150 years or so. This type of survey covers all the essentials, roof, walls, floors windows & doors. Includes maintenance advice and approximate costs to manage defects. Also included is a damp & timber report (with recommendations to control, if required), as standard. Does not contain a property valuation.
A very comprehensive inspection of a property that is being considered for refurbishment, adaptation or renovation. This type of survey can involve the lifting of floorboards to inspect beneath or forensic damp testing. Generally, this type of survey is prepared on older premises. Includes maintenance advice, approximate costs to manage defects and a damp & timber report. Does not contain a property valuation.
The use of Asbestos in UK buildings was totally banned in 1999. It can be found in over 3000 different kinds of materials. These materials can range from textured coatings and insulation to vinyl floor tiles and even the bitumen adhesive beneath.Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 if you are the main person or organisation that has clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises, including the common areas of flats, no matter how small, you must by law identify and manage any asbestos containing materials within your premises and record the findings.
I provide a comprehensive surveying and sampling service. All samples are collected in strict adherence with HSE guidelines and analysed by UKAS registered laboratories.
Following the introduction of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, any employer with 5 or more employees or any person responsible for commercial premises including the common areas of flats, no matter how small, must prepare a Fire Risk Assessment on fire safety matters and an Asbestos Register.
I offer fire safety advice and risk assessment preparation with quick turnaround times at a competitive rate.
Damp, timber and structural surveys throughout Cornwall, including:
Should you require further information on any of our professional services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Mob :+447890528312CJS
Property Surveyor
3 Hamilton Close
Hayle
Cornwall
TR27 4QP