Frequently Asked Questions

How is it done?

• Cut out defects
• Apply active crystalline Vandex products to prevent further ingress of water and overcoat area of repair with flexible tape or Cementitious coating (ideal for movement and construction joints)

What are they?

• Removing and replacing defects in concrete structures
Waterproofing kicker and construction joints

What is structural waterproofing?

• Structural waterproofing is the process of creating dry areas to buildings which are affected by the ingress of water

How is wet rot/dry rot treated?

• The source of moisture must be dealt with
• The affected timber should be replaced and isolated from wet masonry
• Affected structural timber (lintels etc.) should be replaced
• Affected areas of brickwork which are structurally sound should be sterilised
• Structurally sound timbers should be treated with a fungicide

How do I know that I have dry/wet rot?

• You may notice cuboidal cracking to timbers (square cracks in the wood). The cracking will be bigger with dry rot
• It may be possible to see the fruiting body of the Fungus
• You may see rust coloured dust caused by falling spores
• You may notice a mushroom like smell

What causes dry rot/wet rot?

• In order for dry or wet rot to exist there must be a source of moisture
• The source of moisture may be from plumbing leaks, leaking drain pipes, roofing leaks or simply poor ventilation.

What is dry rot/wet rot?

• Dry rot and wet rot are fungi which feed off wood. Dry rot can travel through brickwork in order to reach more woodwork.

How do I treat woodworm?

• Replace weakened timbers and wood with pre-treated wood
• Spray affected areas with a woodworm treatment

How do I know if I have woodworm?

• Woodworm beetles eat along the grain of the wood and leave the wood via bore holes. These bore holes are clearly visible and measure approximately 2mm in size
• The wood may also become extremely brittle as the beetles eat the interior of the wood
• If the Beetles are still active it may be possible to see “saw dust” created by the beetles as they leave the wood

What causes dry rot/wet rot?

• In order for dry or wet rot to exist there must be a source of moisture
• The source of moisture may be from plumbing leaks, leaking drain pipes, roofing leaks or simply poor ventilation.

What is woodworm?

• Hatched beetle larvae feeding off untreated wood.

How do we treat it?

SIMPLY:

• Remove salt contaminated plaster
• Inject a chemical damp course
• Re-plaster to the required height

What does rising damp look like?

• Sometimes it is possible to see salt crystals on the affected wall
• Often the wall will display a slight “water mark”

Why treat it?

• The moisture in the wall will contain salt contaminants.
• Once the moisture evaporates the salts will be left in the structure of the wall and the finish plaster.
• The salts effect the adhesiveness of the finish plaster which will often sound hollow when tapped.
• As the finish plaster losses its bonding with the brick work it will eventually fall off the wall Rising damp will reduce the value of your property

What is rising damp?

• Rising damp occurs when there is a failure of the original damp course
• Once the original damp course has failed moisture contained in the ground is drawn up via the foundations into the structure of the walls of the property
• Normally the height of rising damp will not exceed one metre in height