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Doctor Eric’s paper – nails the coffin lid on the rising damp ‘myth’.

15 Jun 10 by

It’s refreshing to know that talented people are working on solving preservation problems. Dr Eric Rirsch’s new paper on the issue is a fascinating and detailed study, which should be at the top of anyones reading list. The most striking thing I found is the way mortar type effects how damp rises. As a surveyor […]

Filed Under: Damp, Rising Damp Tagged With:

Why are these basement conversions so bad? And, is there anything we can do about it?

09 Jun 10 by

Lately I have been looking at quite a few converted basements in and around Leeds.  Many are in terraced housing, back-to-backs, and such.  Conversions are attractive on these smaller dwellings, especially if the project adds an extra bedroom or two. Add student letting into the equation and there is a real financial benefit in squeezing […]

Filed Under: Surveying, Waterproofing Tagged With: , , ,

The Rising Damp myth is….a scandal; like yesterday’s MMR scare.

06 Jun 10 by

Rising damp is a myth, some say.  Not many really think so; that would be stupid, but those who believe this nonsense seem to have the ear of the press and the ear of RIBA and RICS too. So instead of being drowned out by howls of derision from the those who really know about […]

Filed Under: Damp, Rising Damp, Surveying Tagged With: ,

What is woodworm?

26 May 10 by

Well, if you’re a timber infestation surveyor like me, it usually means the Common Furniture Beetle Anobium punctatum.  However, if you’re a house buyer, seller or any lay person, it usually means anything which has left holes in wood. And there is the problem; woodworm is an emotive generic name. Anything with ‘worm’ in the […]

Filed Under: 'Woodworm', Surveying, Timber Infestations Tagged With: , , ,

Resin repair product? Cement repair product? Which to use?

15 May 10 by

Grout, mortar, filler, render, plaster – all these can be based on resins or cement.  In order to know when and what to use, you need an appreciation of the different properties of the materials.  Their weaknesses, strengths and limitations. The following is by no means a detailed guide, it’s a basic comparison of the […]

Filed Under: Materials, Surveying Tagged With:
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Copyright © 2010 Preservation Expert. Legal Stuff: All the advice and information in the posts on my blog is made in good faith and is based on my experience and knowledge at the time of writing. However, nobody is infallible and whilst I’m confident that most of what I write about preservation issues is accurate, there’s a good chance there’ll be an error or two somewhere. I do change my mind about stuff, as I gain more experience. In view of this you must make your own decisions on whether to follow any advice I write and think about this; I could be wrong. No responsibility will be accepted by the author for any losses anyone may suffer as a result of any mistake or for the consequence of any action you take as a result of reading this blog. If you do suffer a loss, resulting from anything I’ve written, a verbal heartfelt apology will be your only compensation.