Stronghold Preservation were requested to carry out a specialist damp and timber survey, and to check the condition of the cavity wall ties.
Further Information
Cavity Wall Ties
Several wall ties were checked; the ties were found to be
discoloured with signs of rust, and covered with mortar
droppings. Mortar droppings on the wall ties can contribute
to damp bridging the cavity; some damp patches were noted at high
level internally.
Rust causes expansion of the steel; this expansion of the wall
ties in turn causes expansion of the bed joints, causing cracks in
the walls, bulging walls, and in severe cases collapse of the brick
wall. Therefore, Stronghold Preservation recommended removal
of the existing wall ties, and replacement with new
stainless steel wall ties.
Damp
Damp was found at low level on the ground floor walls;
attributable to either a defective damp proof course (DPC) or rubble
bridging the cavity. It was recommended that the cavities be
inspected for rubble when works were being undertaken, and that a
chemical injection
DPC be installed. A cementitious
waterproofing compound was also applied to the base of the
walls to prevent any damp penetrating below the line of the
dpc.
