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I is for Interstitial Condensation

I is for Interstitial Condensation

by | Jul 10, 2017

I is for Interstitial Condensation

 In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Damp & Timber Proofing Specialists Ltd, I is for Interstitial Condensation.

Dampness problems associated with condensation and mould growths occur in many buildings yet they are not always fully understood, particularly by the general builder or unqualified damp ‘expert’.

Condensation results from a series of relatively simple and well established physical factors, and is directly related to standards and methods of heating, ventilating and insulating buildings.

Condensation is often confused with rising damp and we are committed to getting you the correct diagnosis. Dampness in buildings can arise from a number of causes and the majority tend to be physical defects such as rising damp, penetrating damp or lack of maintenance. In the case of condensation, the problem is generally self-imposed. The emphasis on improving insulation and the way in which properties are now heated and ventilated has created exactly the right conditions for increasing condensation and mould growth.

Local authorities and, indeed, any landlord receive large numbers of complaints about condensation and mould growth. Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd are committed to helping you resolve your condensation issue in an efficient and cost effective manner.

What is condensation?

Condensation as the name implies is water which has “condensed” from air on contact with a cold surface and it occurs when warm air cools down and releases the water vapour it was ‘holding’ into the air.

Air normally contains water vapour in varying quantities. Its capacity to ‘hold’ moisture is related to temperature; basically, warm air holds more water than cold air. When the air is saturated and it cannot contain any more water vapour at the existing temperature it is said to have a relative humidity (RH) of 100%. If the temperature of the air falls until saturation point occurs the air is at a critical temperature at which it cannot hold any more water – this temperature is known as the dew point. Any further fall in temperature will result in water vapour being forced to condense out as liquid water.

Condensation in a building usually occurs when warm air comes into contact with a cold surface; the air is cooled below its saturation point causing its excess water vapour to change into liquid water. Typically, you will actually see moisture on your windows, reveals, external walls, concrete lintels… in fact anywhere that can be seen as a ‘cold spot’ in relation to the normal room temperate. This surface condensation is often found on bay windows that are in their nature more exposed to the elements, low down corners of rooms (as we all know hot air rises) and behind furniture and curtains where air flow is restricted.

In addition to this surface condensation, air inside a heated building usually contains more moisture than does the external air (its normally warmer inside that outside in the UK!). This means it is a higher pressure which tends to force the warm air through the structure taking the moisture with it. Most building materials except glass, metals, plastics and certain lined elements, are to some extent permeable and do not obstruct the movement of moist air through the structure. the warm moist air will eventually cool below its due point within the fabric of the building resulting in condensation. This form of condensation is interstitial condensation.

What is Interstitial Condensation?

Interstitial condensation is rather more complex than the surface phenomenon and presents a greater hazard. The resulting high moisture content can often go undetected for long periods until serious structural damage has developed such as timber decay. It can also render ineffective any insulation within the component where it occurs.

How can Atlantis Damp Proofing help resolve your Interstitial Condensation Issue?

There are many factors to consider when protecting your property from interstitial condensation. Key considerations should be given to improving ventilation, controlling moisture generation and using an impervious moisture barrier, known as a vapour check, for example a foil backed plasterboard during the internal construction of the property.

If you’re concerned that your property is suffering from the signs of condensation, we are committed to helping you resolve your properties damp issue. Simply contact us now at Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd for an informal chat to agree a way forward.

J is for Jamie Watkins

by | Jul 25, 2017

J is for Jamie Watkins

In this instalment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists , J is for Jamie Watkins.

Who is Jamie Watkins?

Hello everyone! My name is Jamie Watkins and I am owner and Managing Director of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists . I thought I’d take the opportunity to tell you more about myself and the passion I have for providing excellence in all the services I provide throughout Cheshire.

I began my construction career working part-time in the building yard at Robert Gleaves and Sons in Frodsham. On leaving school, I started full time. I absolutely loved this job! Interacting with all the trades. Gaining a solid basic knowledge of customer service, pricing and material quantities.

Then, in my early 20’s I joined my dad and brother in their plastering business. I followed in the family footsteps to become a third generation plasterer. I perfected all the skills I needed to become a general plasterer and continued to grow my knowledge of building sites and activities. A lot of my dad’s work came from a Damp Proofing firm. My interest grew and I could see an opportunity to develop my own business in this area.

In 2009 I took the leap to set up on my own. I also completed my C.S.R.T. Qualifications through the Property Care Association (PCA). It was an exciting (if not a bit stressful!) time for me. I was on the tools, training up my own crew and working evenings and weekends to complete all the paperwork, but I loved it! I’ve always been a ‘people person’ and enjoyed giving honest, reliable expert to provide the solution that people needed.

I knew there was no need to ever try to pull the wool over the eyes of others and pretend solutions were needed when they weren’t. To this day, I operate on this philosophy. So do my team. I am genuinely saddened when I hear of the poor experiences my clients have had with previous ‘Damp Proofing’ companies and I believe all of our 5 star reviews reflect that we are just not like them.

My company continued to grow and became in 2013, then VAT registered in 2014.

In 2017 I also became a qualified member of the Wall Tie Installers Federation (WTIF). Their rigorous training progamme was an eye opener. It gave me the confidence to more actively pursue this business area

In 2016, my wife, Freya, officially joined the business and started to survey with me. She also began her own C.S.R.T. Qualification which is now 2/3rd’s complete. Freya, shares my philosophy and is entirely committed to the vision that I began and we are sure we will fulfil our ambition of owning a strong family business that the next generation of Watkins’s can enjoy. My goal is not to compete with the big boys, I wish to remain a local, family run business with a passion for doing the right thing and continuing to enjoy happy customers.

Myself and Freya remain committed to providing Northwich, Warrington, Chester, Crewe, Altrincham and surrounding areas with expert, pragmatic, professional advice on Damp, Timber and Wall Tie fault diagnosis and recommendation. If you think we can help you, call us now on 0800 098 8277.

K is for Kinds of Wood Boring Beetle (Woodworm)

K is for Kinds of Wood Boring Beetle (Woodworm)

by | Apr 26, 2018

In this instalment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists, K is for Kinds of Wood Boring Beetle (Woodworm).

How can you tell your Common Furniture Beetle from your Death Watch Beetle? Your Powderpost from your Long Horn? In our next blog, K is for…… Kinds of Wood Boring Beetle we help you identify one little nasty from another.  Fortunately, if you do think you have an issue with a wood boring beetle, we are the experts and can help you eradicate them from your home.

Signs of wood boring beetles:

To assess if you’ve got a live infestation or not, you need to look out for the following tell tale signs:

– New flight holes created by insects eating their way out
– New holes in any under-carpet paper floor backing
– Small wood dust build up outside bore holes – this is actually woodworm droppings, known as frass
– Presence of damp in the room or in the timber itself (woodworm thrive in damp conditions)

Which wood boring beetle is in my home?

Once you’ve identified that some of the tale tell signs are present in your property, its important to identify which species it is. ‘Woodworm’ is a general trend that refers to the larvae of wood boring beetles, that feed on wood and create a network of tunnels in structural and decorative timber. But attacks vary, depending on the type of timber and their life span in the larval stage. The larval https://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/wp-admin/stage can range from 10 months to 11 years.

Common Furniture Beetle:

Appearance: 

The adult beetle is approx 3mm long and chocolate brown coloured. It is able to fly. Up to 80 eggs are laid and the life cycle averages 3 years. A relatively small insect, it is still capable of causing structural damage to your property.

Preferred timber: 

The sapwood of both hard and softwood.

Type of damage:

Responsible for about 75% of all woodworm damage to UK property, attacking both soft and hard woods. Bores extensively creating rounded tunnels, usually going with the grain of the wood – and will fly to find new wood sources.

Telltale signs:

 The droppings or frass of the Common Furniture Beetle are sandy, oblong pellets. The insect emerges from 2 mm diameter boreholes.

Death Watch Beetle:

The most damaging wood borer in old buildings, attacking hardwood and often found in timbers also suffering from fungal decay. Larger than the Common Furniture Beetle at 6 to 8mm long and greyish brown in colour. Its life cycle averages 5 to 6 years. The adult emerges from 4mm diameter round holes and is now known to be capable of flight. Eggs are laid in small clusters.

Wood Boring Weevil:

Established in post war Britain but already widespread and associated with wet rot decay. The adult is 3-5mm long, blackish brown and identifiable by its long ‘snout’. Normally associated with damp timber and appears to have two overlapping life cycles in the year. Flight holes are small 1mm diameter and ragged.

House Longhorn Beetle:

This large insect is found mainly in the southern Home Counties. It attacks only softwood but because of its size and ability to bore extensively through sapwood and into heartwood, the damage caused is rapid and severe. It is greyish brown to black, has a life cycle of 5-11 years and can reach 25mm long. Flight holes are oval up to 9mm by 6mm. Up to 200 eggs are laid.

Bark Boring Beetle:

Appearance:

 There are many types of bark-borers, but the most common have either dark-brown or light-brown colouring. They can cause major damage to the surface level of timber if left to do their worst.

Preferred timber: 

The Bark Borer exclusively targets softwoods with bark, and they fly locally to discover other timber sources.

Type of damage:

 Although the rounded tunnels this beetle creates are kept near the surface of the timber, this insect can still cause significant amounts of damage to all types of softwoods.

Tell-tale signs: 

Flight holes are around 2 mm in width, and its frass is rounded in shape and either light or dark coloured depending on the wood source.

Now you know a bit more about self diagnosis if you see holes in your timbers at home and remember to contact us for friendly, professional, expert advise to see how we can help you.

L is for Listed buildings

by | Mar 5, 2018

L is for Listed Buildings and the use of Electro Osmosis.

In this instalment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists, L is for Listed Buildings and the use of Electro Osmosis.

Today we went to survey a beautiful sandstone cottage in Tarporley, Cheshire and noticed a very old Electro Osmosis damp proof system in place. It got us to thinking. When would we recommend an Electro-osmosis system to be installed? (more…)

M is for Mortgage Reports (Pre-purchase Damp & Timber Surveys)

by | Mar 5, 2018

M is for Mortgage Report (Damp & Timber Pre-Purchase Survey).

In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Damp & Timber Proofing Specialists, we see how M is for Mortgage Report (Damp & Timber Pre-Purchase Survey).

Ask yourself:

Has dampness been noted on your mortgage lenders Home Buyers Report?
Is it rising dampness due to a failed damp-proof course? Is the answer chemical damp-proofing? Or is it a bridged damp-proof course? Penetrating damp? Condensation?

You may not know the answers to these questions. At Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists , we are committed to getting you the answer so you go into any purchase with your eyes wide open. (more…)