Martin Sykes 
Rochester Building and Damp recently completed major damp proofing works in the historic St.Eulogious Church, located in the picturesque South Oxfordshire market town of Henley-on-Thames. The 19th Century Grade 1 Listed Building had suffered extensive ingress over the last ten years, mostly due to a silt blocked land drainage system installed in the late 1990’s. … Read more
Rising damp is caused by barometric pressure resulting in capillary action within brickwork that forces ground water to rise upwards. There are those that claim that rising damp isn’t a real phenomenon, but it does exist. It is however rare.Most diagnoses of rising damp are actually misdiagnoses, in that the problem is often poor air … Read more
The water table is the level at which the ground beneath the earth’s surface is saturated with water. It’s relevant when diagnosing damp, because permeation of water through various substratum could potentially include the footings or basement of your property. If the water table is high, the soil around the property can become saturated with … Read more
SLATE BED DPC A slate DPC is a type of moisture barrier that is made of slate and is used to prevent the passage of water through walls and foundations. The slate DPC is typically installed in the mortar joint between the brickwork or stonework of a building, creating a barrier that prevents water from … Read more
Stachybotrys, also known as black mould, is a type of mould that can be found in homes and buildings. It is often associated with damp and humid conditions, and is known to produce toxic spores that can be harmful to human health. The presence of Stachybotrys in a home can be a serious concern, and … Read more
My name is Martin Sykes and I am the owner of Rochester Building and Damp Proofing. We are a family run business established in 1993, providing damp proofing, timber treatments and general building services in the Rochester and Medway area in Kent. We take pride in offering a friendly, reliable and professional service and always … Read more
Interstitial damp is a type of dampness that occurs within the walls of a building, as opposed to surface dampness, which occurs on the exterior or interior surfaces of the walls. It is often caused by rising damp, which occurs when ground moisture is drawn up into the walls of a building through capillary action. … Read more
An end-of-year independent study relating to the concerns of Medway tenants said there had been reports of significant black mould in twelve housing association properties. In two cases, there was a significant risk to infants including a newborn. Rochester Building and Damp has been employed by the housing association in an advisory … Read more
In 1919 during the Great War peace conference, a member of the British military delegation noticed something interesting in the Palace of Versailles: a row of small circular vents along the bottom of a wall. After some inquiries the delegate – one General Brown – found that the vents concealed ceramic tubes set into the … Read more
Rochester Building and Damp has donated £1870 towards restoration of the former Holy Trinity Priory in Birchington-on Sea. Funds were raised in a recent online auction featuring antiques and collectables offered by damp specialists Martin Sykes and his colleague Daniel McLean. A self acknowledged armchair expert of mid-century ceramics, Martin auctioned off a small … Read more