When you walk through the towns and villages of Medway past Victorian terraces, Georgian frontages and riverside cottages, you’re not just seeing history; you’re witnessing the enduring resilience of structures shaped by both time and the elements. Beneath the weathered facades lies a silent battle that has long plagued Kent’s built environment: the relentless intrusion of damp.
Rochester Building & Damp was founded not just to combat this problem, but to do so with honesty, technical excellence, and respect for local heritage. This is the story of how a modest operation rooted in Medway’s damp proofing community grew into one of Kent’s most trusted names in structural preservation and property care.
The Damp Problem in Medway: An Old Enemy
For centuries, damp has posed a serious risk to homes across the Medway towns. The unique mix of river infused weather conditions, clay-rich soil and ageing housing stock has created perfect conditions for rising damp, penetrating damp, and timber decay.
In the mid-20th century, rudimentary solutions such as tar-based coatings and manual wall ventilation offered little long-term protection. It wasn’t until the 1960s and 1960s that real progress began, with the introduction of effective chemical damp-proof courses (DPC), cavity drainage systems and high-performance renders. By the late 1980s damp control had matured into a recognised trade discipline requiring genuine experience, diagnostic skill and regulatory compliance.
Amid this evolving landscape a number of skilled professionals emerged in Medway. These individuals weren’t just contractors, they were custodians of a regional trade tradition, bringing credibility and lasting value to their work.
The Early Foundations: Dampwise Medway
One of the most influential teams during the late 1990s was Dampwise Medway, a collective of dedicated tradespeople whose reputation for transparency and reliability made them a trusted name across the region.
The team comprised a mix of complementary skills:
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James Sinclair was a restoration specialist with an encyclopaedic knowledge of timber decay, wet rot and heritage property maintenance. Whether it was a Grade II-listed pub or a Victorian townhouse, James understood how to treat structures without compromising their historic integrity.
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Dan McLean brought a methodical almost forensic approach to damp surveys when he gained L2 surveyor status in 1999. His attention to detail ensured that clients received accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans; no guesswork, no unnecessary upsells. Dan quickly became known as a quiet but deeply respected technician in the field.
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Joyce Page served as the operational backbone of the business when she joined Dampwise in 1996. With a sharp head for scheduling, customer liaison and compliance documentation, Emma ensured that every job whether a one-day injection or a three-week tanking project, ran smoothly and professionally. Her daughter Emma Page joined Dampwise in 2017 and she is now a fully qualified surveyor and business partner in Rochester Building & Damp.
Their influence extended beyond the jobs they completed. Through Dampwise Medway, they helped elevate industry standards in the area, proving that effective damp control was as much about ethics and education as it was about tools and chemicals.
Martin Sykes: From Apprentice to Business Owner
Among those influenced by the Medway damp proofing scene was Martin Sykes. Starting out as a site assistant and survey trainee, Martin developed his trade through hands-on experience under some of the region’s most reputable contractors, including James Sinclair himself.
He learned that effective damp work was not about shortcuts or heavy-handed salesmanship but about accuracy, communication and understanding the long-term behaviour of materials and moisture.
By the late 2010s, Martin had built a reputation of his own. Known for his straight-talking reports and pragmatic solutions, he had earned the trust of both homeowners and commercial clients. In time, it became clear that the next logical step was to establish a company that reflected his own values: technical integrity, local accountability and durable results.
Thus, the locally established timber and damp company Rochester Building & Damp was purchased from it’s founders, who now sought their hard earned retirement.
Rochester Building & Damp: From Medway to Margate
Founded originally in Medway the company quickly built momentum, winning contracts for both private residences and public-sector properties. From tanking basements in Strood to replacing failed DPC systems in Gillingham, Rochester Building & Damp was making a mark, one dry wall at a time.
In 2024, the business made a strategic move to Cliftonville, Margate, following the award of a major commercial flood damage remediation contract with Thanet Council. This relocation marked a new chapter, expanding from traditional damp proofing into large-scale flood response, structural drying and insurance-funded restoration.
Despite the change in geography, the company has stayed true to its roots.
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Emma Page, now a senior administrator and compliance lead, continues to be the engine room behind daily operations, overseeing everything from contractor logistics to council documentation.
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Dan McLean, working closely with Martin on site assessments and post-treatment inspections, ensures that every property receives thorough attention and honest reporting.
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And the legacy of James Sinclair remains embedded in the company’s methodology, particularly in heritage property work, where care and precision are paramount.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to the Community
At its core, Rochester Building & Damp is more than a business. It’s a Medway success story built on trade tradition, local collaboration, and years of trust. The company remains committed to:
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Clear, honest communication with every client.
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Ongoing investment in training and technology to stay at the forefront of damp control.
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Community involvement, offering pro bono advice and guidance for vulnerable residents and historic property owners.
As we continue to grow, we carry with us the values that started it all: knowledge, transparency, and a deep respect for the buildings and people of Kent.
Need Advice? Contact Us Today
Whether you’re dealing with a persistent damp patch or managing a flood-damaged commercial property, we’re here to help.
📞 Call Rochester Building & Damp for a no-obligation survey
📧 Email us for technical advice or report requests
🌐 Visit our services page to explore everything from damp proofing to timber preservation and insurance remediation.
Trusted by Medway. Serving all of Kent. Built on integrity.