This blog entry explains how an old house might have dealt with rain and dampness when it was first built, what could have happened since to change that and ways of reinstating the original balance. If the fabric of an old building allows water vapour to enter but dry out again, this is called ‘breathing’ … Read more
The principles Rochester Building and Damp work to are clearly covered by the BS7913 standard, which describes best practice in the management and treatment of historic buildings. It applies to historic buildings with and without statutory protection such as Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian, Regency homes from 1700 to 1920. Why we use BS7913 is to provide … Read more
Martin Sykes of Rochester Building and Damp looks at the alternatives to traditional plasters when seeking to re-cover damp walls, considering the possibilities of impervious coverings along with hybrid and insulated plasterboards. Traditional plasters have been used on internal walls for thousands of years to create smooth, decorative surfaces. Lime-based plasters, for instance, were being … Read more
Rochester Building and Damp Construction Company Open today until 20:00 UPDATES AND AMENDMENTS Rochester Building and Damp are a respected local family business, with owner Dan McLean having started in the timber and damp industry in 1987. We provide a service for the homeowner, landlord and property developer. Whether your property is … Read more
Our Services Rochester Building and Damp is primarily a damp proofing business specalising in structural building works. Our specific knowledge and experience of historic local architecture, antiquated building practices and archaic construction methodology, distinguishes us from our competitors within the ‘timber and damp’ industry. Irrespective of whether a building maintains listed status, Medway-based Victorian era … Read more
Many older properties in Medway have a basement or cellar. Originally intended as a sub-floor location for storage, most notably solid fuel; the majority of basements today are severely affected by saturation-level ingress. Therefore ‘tanking’ the basement remains a necessity if considering any form of conversion. Regulations regarding cellar/basement conversions have historically been perceived … Read more
St.Mary’s island is a prime example of aesthetics over practicality. Development has been ongoing for a number of years now, with impressive town house properties in an aesthetically pleasing environment. The majority of properties in this location are unsuited to a marginally harsher environment to that of the rest of Medway. Built on elevated … Read more
A cursory perusal of accessible information and statistics, reveals a post millennial upturn in the economy had insentivised London authorities to initiate rehousing an unwanted demographic far outside the areas of potential gentrification. Rent increases for privately owned property became another reason that even the furthest corners of Londons boroughs were inaccessible to those who … Read more
Development in Medway and damp in modern properties. Above: Horsted Park a new housing estate built opposite Rochester Airport. Although aesthetically unique and in a potentially prime location, the possibility of mould,mildew and ingress remains an ongoing concern in new-build property. Despite initial appearances to the contrary, the population density within Medway is currently estimated in … Read more
Damp proofing – how far do you need to go to save your sale? Damp is one of the most serious issues that can arise in a property survey and as such can have a major impact on saleability. Whether the damp that your buyer’s survey refers to is actually present or there is simply … Read more