Heritage surveys, Pre purchase Inspections, and Damp Investigations
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Adrian offers a Heritage Building Surveying Service for heritage buildings of all archetypes including damp surveys, heritage surveys and Snagging surveys (click to visit snagging surveying). Pre purchase heritage house inspections are also crucial and necessary to survey auction properties for buyers to make the right choice of the short, medium and long term changes likely to be permitted to heritage properties.
Contact Adrian using the form below or call 07449944628 |
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STOP Speak to Adrian SAVE MONEY and READ.
For damp issues, Do not waste thousands of pounds treating damp with chemical injection there is a low cost traditional solution. Treating damp in traditional buildings requires a sympathetic approach that differs to modern methods (Wooley, 2017). 
For Pre Auction Inspections it is essential to understand the property prior to bidding at auction. A pre purchase building inspection is crucial, immediate professional, expert advice to avoid costly unknown problems that may impact investment.
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Choose between 3 Damp Packages.
Remote Damp Survey (no visit) Damp Survey (Standard) Damp Survey and Report (Superior) |
The structural behaviour of traditional solid brick buildings is dramatically different from modern cavity buildings. Solid brick walls need a breathable environment and do not function well if covered with dry-lining, sand and cement, treated with chemical injection or other modern products that prevent breathability (Modena, Porto and Valluzi, 2016; Speweik, 1997)
Adrian Gill is a professional building surveyor with a triple accredited degree (RICS, CIOB and CABE). Endorsements include the academic award from Nottingham Trent University and The National Surveying Company (SCCS) for student of the year receipt of an excellence award for devotion to surveying studies. Studies included heritage surveying of traditional and listed buildings, damp surveys and scanning heritage buildings for planning applications.
Endorsements in practice references from Admiral Sir Frank Hopkins 5th Sea Lord and controller of the Royal Navy. Adrian was appointed for building projects on the homes of both Lieutenant Commander, Sir Arthur Clayton's home in Kingswear (Torpedo Boat Captain) and Admiral Sir Frank Hopkins 5th Sea Lord and controller of the Royal Navy both were acquaintances of Adrian's family. Click to Read Living the Heritage Life to learn more about Adrian family and his heritage connection.
Endorsements in practice references from Admiral Sir Frank Hopkins 5th Sea Lord and controller of the Royal Navy. Adrian was appointed for building projects on the homes of both Lieutenant Commander, Sir Arthur Clayton's home in Kingswear (Torpedo Boat Captain) and Admiral Sir Frank Hopkins 5th Sea Lord and controller of the Royal Navy both were acquaintances of Adrian's family. Click to Read Living the Heritage Life to learn more about Adrian family and his heritage connection.
Damp Building Surveyor with 30 years building experience
Unique Combination: Building Surveying, Building and Advanced Craft
It is unique for a professional building surveyor to also be a qualified builder with 30 years experience from practical building to surveying including management of construction projects.
Adrian is fully qualified since the 1980's a bricklayer, stone mason and lime plasterer. Adrian fully understands the entire building process practically and theoretically his skills stand out. Adrian offers a surveying service, troubleshooting, a problem, solution that is beneficial to the client and the building.
Adrian is fully qualified since the 1980's a bricklayer, stone mason and lime plasterer. Adrian fully understands the entire building process practically and theoretically his skills stand out. Adrian offers a surveying service, troubleshooting, a problem, solution that is beneficial to the client and the building.
Stop: Do not treat damp with chemical treatment
Be Cautious of Damp Specialists
Owners should be cautious of services offering to treat rising damp by chemically injecting the walls or treating damp timbers by painting and sealing timbers.
Disturbing moisture transfer may cause long-term damage to the structure of the building, it is highly recommended to arrange for a professional building surveyor to investigate the problem.
UNSURE CALL FOR FREE ADVICE CALL ADRIAN 07449944628 OR COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW
Disturbing moisture transfer may cause long-term damage to the structure of the building, it is highly recommended to arrange for a professional building surveyor to investigate the problem.
UNSURE CALL FOR FREE ADVICE CALL ADRIAN 07449944628 OR COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW
The wrong way and expensive way to treat damp problems
Adrian has witnessed problems caused by damp specialists who promise home owners to solve damp problems such as hacking off internal plaster up to 1 metre and re-plastering with sand and cement or gypsum or tanking that seals. False promises that are not solutions amongst others such as chemical injection, all of which cost a small fortune. Please note: the European academics laugh and find these false and expensive promises and approaches hilarious (Peter Ward, n.d.).
Traditional Damp Treatment
Adrian informs home owners firstly to understand the science that walls need to breathe.
It may sound funny but its true and the technical term is called sacrificial lime which is the lime mortar are the lungs of the building.
Allow breathability! Adrian's knowledge in advanced master craft and stone masonry is highly valuable and sought after by home owners with problems with traditional buildings. It may sound expensive but traditional methods can be far cheaper than spending a fortune on modern methods. Therefore all methods that seal houses work in reverse by preventing breathability.
Lack of breathability forces moisture through the brick and can deface the brick and weaken it, the technical term is called sacrificial brick and upsets the structural integrity of the building. Do not wrap your home with dry lining or inject your home with false promises such as chemical injection for damp proofing. You will make it worse.
Dry lining is another false promise made from gypsum, one of the strongest mortars (Speweik, 1997) and prevents breathability.
Lack of breathability causes significant and often irreversible damage in homes of traditional construction because modern materials do not allow breathability. Consider arranging a heritage building survey before dry lining a heritage building because it can cause serious and costly long term structural damage to the property. (See the images below: Dry Lining Can Cause Significant Damage) Literature supports this statement (Speweik, 1997)
It may sound funny but its true and the technical term is called sacrificial lime which is the lime mortar are the lungs of the building.
Allow breathability! Adrian's knowledge in advanced master craft and stone masonry is highly valuable and sought after by home owners with problems with traditional buildings. It may sound expensive but traditional methods can be far cheaper than spending a fortune on modern methods. Therefore all methods that seal houses work in reverse by preventing breathability.
Lack of breathability forces moisture through the brick and can deface the brick and weaken it, the technical term is called sacrificial brick and upsets the structural integrity of the building. Do not wrap your home with dry lining or inject your home with false promises such as chemical injection for damp proofing. You will make it worse.
Dry lining is another false promise made from gypsum, one of the strongest mortars (Speweik, 1997) and prevents breathability.
Lack of breathability causes significant and often irreversible damage in homes of traditional construction because modern materials do not allow breathability. Consider arranging a heritage building survey before dry lining a heritage building because it can cause serious and costly long term structural damage to the property. (See the images below: Dry Lining Can Cause Significant Damage) Literature supports this statement (Speweik, 1997)
Sacrificial brick and damp
For Sacrificial brick: Hard mortars are used the brick becomes the softest area and is forced to absorb the movement.
For sacrificial lime: Mortar (in between the brick) must be more porous than the masonry brick material to allow moisture to move through the mortar (Speweik, 1997)
Traditional buildings built with lime and sand mortar joints (breathable) allow breathability referred to as the lungs of the building (Speweik, 1997).
Repairs undertaken using modern materials such as cement based mortar (sand and cement) prevent breathability of the building through the mortar joints (in between the brick) therefore the outcome is highly likely to damage the brick structure (Speweik, 1997).
Cement changes the dynamic because no longer is there permeability and sacrificial lime. Instead the hard cement based mortar is impermeable which forces the water/moisture through the brick, this is called sacrificial brick which can deface the bricks and damages the structure and integrity of the building. (Speweik, Old House Journal 1997)
For sacrificial lime: Mortar (in between the brick) must be more porous than the masonry brick material to allow moisture to move through the mortar (Speweik, 1997)
Traditional buildings built with lime and sand mortar joints (breathable) allow breathability referred to as the lungs of the building (Speweik, 1997).
Repairs undertaken using modern materials such as cement based mortar (sand and cement) prevent breathability of the building through the mortar joints (in between the brick) therefore the outcome is highly likely to damage the brick structure (Speweik, 1997).
Cement changes the dynamic because no longer is there permeability and sacrificial lime. Instead the hard cement based mortar is impermeable which forces the water/moisture through the brick, this is called sacrificial brick which can deface the bricks and damages the structure and integrity of the building. (Speweik, Old House Journal 1997)
Treating damp using traditional methods
Modern methods for treating damp can make the problem worse in traditional buildings because it only hides damp, does not stop damp and can damage the building, dry lining weakens the building structure chemical wall injection damages the bricks, and sealing the timbers weakens the timber structure.
Modern methods can be a waste of money and cause structural problems which impacts health of the building and damp can impact the health of residents. Dry lining does not stop damp. Damp remains, it is still there! Hidden, contained, sealed behind the new dry lined surface, a wrapped building escalates the damp problem, builds moisture and makes the damp environment remains, moisture encourages mould spores which can be inhaled. See Dampness and mould below.
Modern methods can be a waste of money and cause structural problems which impacts health of the building and damp can impact the health of residents. Dry lining does not stop damp. Damp remains, it is still there! Hidden, contained, sealed behind the new dry lined surface, a wrapped building escalates the damp problem, builds moisture and makes the damp environment remains, moisture encourages mould spores which can be inhaled. See Dampness and mould below.
Passionate about traditional buildings
Adrian is passionate about traditional buildings, a builder by trade a building surveyor by profession. Adrian surveys traditional buildings and even owns a Grade II Listed property circa 1760.
Adrian has been recognised by Nottingham Trent University and The National Surveying Company for his conservation approaches on surveying. Recognised for restoring listed buildings by the listed building inspector who commended Adrian on such remarkable conservation on his own property. Adrian has been appointed by local authorities to advise them on heritage structural building problems
Adrian believes it is crucial that the correct traditional methods are applied to conserve traditional, historic and conservation buildings.
Adrian has been recognised by Nottingham Trent University and The National Surveying Company for his conservation approaches on surveying. Recognised for restoring listed buildings by the listed building inspector who commended Adrian on such remarkable conservation on his own property. Adrian has been appointed by local authorities to advise them on heritage structural building problems
Adrian believes it is crucial that the correct traditional methods are applied to conserve traditional, historic and conservation buildings.
Dry Lining Can Cause Significant Damage
Dry lining holds and retains the damp. It is necessary to remove it and lime plaster allows breathability.
(Sacrificial lime).
Photographs: Adrian needed to resolve major damp problems. The room had been dry lined trapping damp behind the dry lining upsetting breathability and ventilation in the building.
The room showed some visible signs of damp, the floor was rotten in the corner with a smell of damp in the air.
Restoration included removing the dry lining throughout the room. Once removed it revealed significant evidence of damp including blown plaster, walls wet with moisture, a whole section of floor was rotten and the lower horizontal timber was soaking wet throughout.
Removing the dry lining, plaster and lifting part of the floor allowed the room to breathe and dry out, after some time the walls were plastered with lime plaster and the damp has not returned. Moisture encased prevented ventilation and interfered with the structure of the building, weakening it over time. Dampness is an indicator of poor ventilation and is the reason why it is important that homes can breathe (Wooley, 2017).
Read below for further explanation of why damp occurs and how to solve damp using traditional methods
(Sacrificial lime).
Photographs: Adrian needed to resolve major damp problems. The room had been dry lined trapping damp behind the dry lining upsetting breathability and ventilation in the building.
The room showed some visible signs of damp, the floor was rotten in the corner with a smell of damp in the air.
Restoration included removing the dry lining throughout the room. Once removed it revealed significant evidence of damp including blown plaster, walls wet with moisture, a whole section of floor was rotten and the lower horizontal timber was soaking wet throughout.
Removing the dry lining, plaster and lifting part of the floor allowed the room to breathe and dry out, after some time the walls were plastered with lime plaster and the damp has not returned. Moisture encased prevented ventilation and interfered with the structure of the building, weakening it over time. Dampness is an indicator of poor ventilation and is the reason why it is important that homes can breathe (Wooley, 2017).
Read below for further explanation of why damp occurs and how to solve damp using traditional methods
Signs of Damp
Some signs of damp include: damp smells, mould, high humidity, wet and moist patches and blown plaster on the interior.
The exterior may show signs of damp where moisture in the wall has created deterioration to the bricks referred to as sacrificial brick.
The exterior may show signs of damp where moisture in the wall has created deterioration to the bricks referred to as sacrificial brick.
Breathability
Traditional buildings need to breathe, to allow moisture transfer, this is achieved (in part) by using mortar mix that is breathable. Masonry contracts and expands during change in temperature from the exterior weather and interior living conditions (heating the home).
Evidence: Damp impacts human health
Publications such as The ‘Dampness and Mould Guide’ (WHO, 2009) contains scientific evidence of health problems caused from moisture and fungi spores within peoples homes.
Wrapping and containing damp accelerates the damp problem weakening the building structure, damp in homes causes health problems (WHO, 2019)
UK CLIMATE
In the UK the climate contributes to damp problems within homes. The serious issue of damp and mould in badly insulated houses in the UK is a massive burden on the NHS (Wooley, 2017).
Wrapping and containing damp accelerates the damp problem weakening the building structure, damp in homes causes health problems (WHO, 2019)
UK CLIMATE
In the UK the climate contributes to damp problems within homes. The serious issue of damp and mould in badly insulated houses in the UK is a massive burden on the NHS (Wooley, 2017).
Have Damp? Arrange a Damp and Timber Survey
UNSURE CALL FOR FREE ADVICE CALL ADRIAN 07449944628 OR COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW for advice or to arrange a damp survey for a traditional solution. Surveying includes identifying the problem and the correct solution to treat the cause of damp and the correct restoration advice.
Heritage building / property surveying and/or restoration service:
- Damp and Timber Surveys also known as Timber and Damp Surveys, Rising Damp Surveys, Rising Damp Treatment Surveys, Condensation Surveys, Black Mould Survey, Moisture and Damp Survey)
- Historical Significance Surveys: details the heritage asset and its significance within the heritage and historic environment.
- Design, Access and Planning Statements (DAS): reports required to support a planning application for a heritage house (Conservation Area, Listed and Historic Buildings] and relate to planning and design and the impact which the planning proposal has on the building and its wider environment.
- Restoration for heritage properties: brickwork, lime plastering to resolve damp problems in heritage properties (conservation and listed buildings), rendering to repair or renew the exterior facade which must be satisfactory with heritage planning rules, stone masonry and brick work.
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Adrian has CSCS trade (card) qualifications as an advanced master craftsman, a bricklayer, stone mason, lime plaster, supervisory management (trade) and restores heritage property.
Adrian has a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) pilot's licence for using aerial drone technology (residential and commercial surveys see this page )
References:
Caterer (2009) Keith Floyd. [Online] Available: https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/keith-floyd
Modena C. Porto, F da. Valluzzi, M.R. (2016)Brick and Block Masonry: Proceedings of the 16th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference,Padova, Italy, 26-30 June 2016Hardcover – 9 Jun 2016 [Online] Available: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brick-Block-Masonry-Proceedings-International/dp/1138029998
Oxford DNB (1991) Hopkins Sir Frank Henry Edward. [Online] Available: https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-40140
Peerage (2019) Sir Arthur Harold Clayton, 11th Bt. [Online] Available: http://www.thepeerage.com/p22686.htm#i226853
Peter Ward (n.d.) Rising Damp. [Online] Available: https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/all-about-the-pca/property-care-association-rising-damp-and-facebook.html
Robertson, A. (2018) Private Paradise. [Online] Available: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5961885/Stunning-four-bed-Dorset-home-comes-cove-hits-market-1-7m.html
Speweik, J. (1997) Why using Modern Mortar can damage a Historic House: Repointing Right! Publication: Old House Journal July-August 1997. [Online] Available: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3w6Ocm-otPgC&lpg=PA46&dq=sacrificial%20brick%20lime%20mortar%20cement%20mortar&pg=PA46#v=onepage&q=sacrificial%20brick%20lime%20mortar%20cement%20mortar&f=false
Wooley T. (2017) Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality: No Breathing Space? [Online] Available: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-C0lDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA98&dq=nhs%20damp%20affect%20home&pg=PA98#v=onepage&q=nhs%20damp%20affect%20home&f=false