T is for TrustMark

In this installment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing, T is for TrustMark.

Through TrustMark, Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd pushes for greater consumer protection.

What is TrustMark?

TrustMark helps to bring customers and trades together. TrustMark is the only Government endorsed scheme for trades you need in and around the home. We have been awarded the accreditation after thorough vetting and on-site inspections to ensure we are raising industry standards.

This accreditation gives customers reassurance of quality and protection from rogue traders. TrustMark is the only ‘find a tradesperson’ scheme to cover all 3 cornerstones of quality:

·        Good Trading Practices

·        Good Customer Service

·        Technical Competence

Why is TrustMark Accreditation important to us?

Jamie found his passion for being an honest, reliable and trustworthy contractor early on in his damp proofing career and set up Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd so he had control to ensure these beliefs. They are reflected in everything we do. Jamie and Freya have always believed that anything you do should be to the best of your ability.

Ever since we started working to develop our business we have taken buckets of pride in our work. We always want to be better, learn of others and improve skills – we can never know too much!

Jamie set Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists up in September 2009 and we became a limited company on 25^th March 2013. In the early years we got most of our business through word-of-mouth and referrals. Nowadays we’re seeing an increasing number of customers contacting us after finding us on the PCA and TrustMark website. We’ve also got the TrustMark logo on business cards, the website. In addition, our van displays the logo, also acting as a mobile advert.

What Jamie says:

“I believe everyone should be accountable for the work they do. It upsets me when I see the state some homes have been left in. There’s been many times when I’ve been called in to fix a job gone wrong. I try to educate customers about their legal standing and how to go about finding reputable companies so that they don’t end up in the wrong pair of hands”.

What can you expect from forms without a TrustMark accreditation?

We recently had a customer call us up because they had had some damp proofing done by another local firm which appeared to have failed. The client could not get the company to come back. The firm they had used were cheaper than us but were not PCA or Trustmark registered. The client was at the end of their tether. With Trustmark protection, they would have had a place to turn to get support if they were not happy.

We like to bring a personal touch to each job, and will go the extra mile, particular for customers who are less able. Adding an extra 10-15 minutes onto our day to help out a less able customer with some of the preparation needed before we start work is no inconvenience to me, but can make such a difference to their level of comfort.

What can you expect from us?

As the industry is undergoing changes and improvements all the time, it can be hard for us to keep on top of things. By being associated with the Property Care Association (PCA) we are kept abreast of best practice to remain a forward-thinking Company, who’s committed to long term customer satisfaction.

It means the world to us to be associated with TrustMark. Not only does it tell you that we are working to Government-endorsed standards, but it’s also a great way for us to win new business.

Contact us now to see how we can help you get to the root cause off your damp or timber issue. We are the firm you can trust.

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source https://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/blog/t-is-for-trustmark/

S is for Sump and Pump

S is for Sump and Pump

In this instalment of our A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd, S is for Sump and Pump.

Did you know that here at Atlantis Damp Proofing we can help you make your cellar/ basement into a habitable space? We do this by using sumps and pumps to remove the moisture you will find in a sub terrain environment.

We are specialists in using sumps and pumps when converting cellars/basements. With very high house prices in many areas of Cheshire it makes sense to maximise your living space by converting a basement in your home. Therefore, some of our basement conversion include second lounges, extra bedrooms, kids play areas or office space.

Your cellar will be set either partially or completely within the ground. Consequently, your cellar will tend to suffer from damp. Whilst your cellar may never have experienced flooding, there is a possibility that tis may occur in the future. By using a cavity drainage system, we ensure the water is effectively managed. A cavity drainage system is where we install a plastic dimpled membrane to the perimeter of the room that leads to sump and pump to discharge the water. Furthermore, the sump and pump gets the water out of your cellar. Protecting your cellar from damp is a very important part of the conversion process.

Is your basement/ cellar suitable for a conversion?

• Does your cellar ever flood?
• What is the access like to your cellar?
• Does a staircase need to be installed, and if so is there adequate room for one?
• What is the headroom in your cellar? Please bear in mind that the ceiling and the floor treatments that you will have to install will reduce the available headroom?
• What are you planning to use the space for?
• Is there an escape route apart from your staircase?
• Is there any ventilation to your cellar or could any be provided?

If you can resolve all of these issues, then your cellar may well be suitable for conversion.

What are the stages of a basement conversion?

Initial meeting – Our surveyor, Jamie will arrive on the agreed date and time – to discuss the project requirements with you and carry out an initial survey.

Prepare the quote – Based on the discussion with you and the initial survey we prepare a quote and send it to you – normally via e-mail.

Follow up – If you haven’t contacted us already, we will call you to find out if you received the quote, if we included all the necessary works and if it was within your expectations. If you are happy with the quote, starting date is fixed.

Works starting date – We will call you few days in advance to confirm the starting date. Before or on the starting date we will kindly ask you for a 30% deposit – this will cover initial costs for skip, basic materials, scaffolding. Normally first job is to clear the site – removal of all finishes, demolition. All your personal items from the site should have been removed already.

As the works progress – Jamie, who manages the project will be visiting the site frequently. He will be checking the progress, discussing all arising questions, issues with you – making sure we follow your vision exactly as you specified it.

Finishing – As we get near to the completion, any snagging will be carried out. Once finished and you are happy with the result, the final third payment will be collected.

Feedback – As always, our ultimate goal is a happy customer – if there’s something that we could improve on we would kindly ask you for your feedback. We know that good references are essential for our business growth.

What next?

Contact us now if you are about to start your home transformation, now is the best time to get in touch with us:

One of our recent projects can be seen below:

Uninhabitable space

Moisture Membranes

Fittiing the Sump and Pump

Finished pump fit

Room Boarded and Skimmed

The finished bedroom!

 

 

The post S is for Sump and Pump appeared first on Atlantis Damp.

source https://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/blog/s-is-for-sump-and-pump/

R is for Recommendations and Referrals

In this installment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd, R is for Recommendations and referrals.

At Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists, we are very proud of the positive reputation we have built. We are committed to continuing to build on our success for many years to come. See our Google, Facebook and Check a Trade pages to keep up to date with our latest 5 star reviews!

Here’s what some of our happy customers say:

Louise Hough says “Had a condensation problem and having seen an advert on Northwich Life twelve months previous, I contacted Atlantis Damp and spoke with Freya, who came to review the situation. They installed a loft ventilation system and it’s worked a treat – no more condensation”

Matt Johnson says “Absolutely stellar service. Competitively priced and proved to be completely reliable. Plastering was superb with a great finish. Highly recommended”

See all our recommendations and referrals from Facebook here https://bit.ly/2Jjhh2t

From Check a Trade

Full damp course and re-plastering.

“Very professional service. Good communication throughout and very reasonable price in comparison to other quotations received. A very minor problem was found after the work was completed and this was dealt with brilliantly and put right straight away. Would wholeheartedly recommend this company to anyone looking for damp course / plastering works.”

Pre purchase survey.

“Jamie’s punctuality, professional nature and extensive knowledge meant we got a great survey that told us exactly what needed to be done before we completed on our new home.”

Timber treatments.

“Made it very clear what I had to do and what they had do. The communication was perfect from start to finish, did exactly what I wanted and needed, perfect job”

See our other Check a Trade recommendations and referrals here – https://www.checkatrade.com/AtlantisDampProofingandTimberSpecialists/

From Google:

Dave Goodwin says “I initially contacted Atlantis to get a quote for damp course and sub floor ventilation after a mortgage survey had highlighted some work which required completing and had lead to a monetary retention. Jamie replied to email query within a few minutes of initial contact and came out promptly. He was professional throughout and explained his findings to me in plain detail, something that 2 other PCA damp contractors did not do. The Atlantis survey was detailed and extremely well priced, in fact half the price of a leading competitor! After looking at the reviews and competitive prices I opted for Atlantis. On said day the lads arrived at the time agreed and quickly set about the work. They were all very friendly and polite and carefully prepared the area. Total professionals. They cracked on and had the work completed in only a few hours, which is testament to how efficient they worked. The lads kept the place clean throughout and tidied up on completion. I was extremely impressed throughout from start to finish and would definitely recommend Atlantis and most certainly use them again without hesitation.”

See our other Google recommendations and referrals here https://bit.ly/2xNGhhj

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source https://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/blog/r-is-for-recommendations-and-referrals/

Q is for Quality of Internal Air

In this instalment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd, Q is for Quality of Internal Air.

As part of our business we deal with solving condensation problems. Most of us spend a lot of our time indoors and the toxic mould associated with condensation can affect the quality of the internal air in your home. But don’t worry, we have a solution to help you solve the problem.

Why focus on Quality of Internal Air?

When we think of air quality, we immediately turn to external air pollution caused by smog and fumes from cars and manufacturing. We all know about the potential health issues associated with these pollutants.

Have you ever thought about the pollutants in your home effecting the air quality?

The dangers from indoor air pollution can also be harmful. Indoor pollution can be caused by cooking residue, paints, varnishes and fungal spores. Also, wood burning stoves, open fires and cleaning products that we all use on a daily basis

There is evidence to suggest that long term air pollution can be extremely harmful to health. Therefore, improving the quality of internal air in your home is so important. Left unchecked, poor quality of internal air can lead to breathing issues, allergies, asthma and chronic pulmonary disease. We have had numerous reports from our customers of almost immediate improvement in air quality once out PIV system is fitted.

Additionally, health benefits aside, improving your indoor air quality can also help get rid of stale smells and provide a generally more pleasant living environment.

How is air quality linked to condensation and mould?

One of the signs of poor ventilation is the appearance of condensation in your home. This moisture and dampness can lead to mould growth. This mould is unsightly and damaging to the fabric of a building. Furthermore, it has also been found to aggravate breathing and skin conditions, such as asthma and eczema. 

How can I improve the air quality in my home?

There are things you can do to improve the quality of internal air in your home.

Tip 1

You should avoid drying washing indoors, especially on the radiators. This can cause humidity levels to rise due to excess moisture, which is what causes condensation to form. If there is no other alternative and laundry has to be dried inside, it should be done in a well ventilated room. Also, remember to keep the door closed so the moisture can not ‘travel’ around the home as readily.

Tip 2

You should leave space between furniture and the wall. Condensation and mould love tight spots in your home where there is poor circulation of air. This is where the quality of internal air is low. It is best to leave a few centimetres between your furniture and walls to enable the air to circulate. Try to ensure that your wardrobes are placed against internal walls in the bedroom. These walls will be warmer than external walls, making mould less likely to form behind them.

Tip 3

Next you can test the quality of air in your home. You can do this by purchasing an air quality monitor. This will give you real-time alerts of air pollution levels in your home.‎ If you are concerned about indoor air quality, particularly if you have children, then it’s a good idea to contact us to arrange a ventilation survey.

Tip 4

You may decide that the best way to reduce pollutants in the home and improve air quality is to invest in an effective ventilation system. A whole house ventilation system, like Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), can be housed discretely in the loft or hallway and can improve the air quality across all the rooms in the house. By introducing fresh, filtered air into a home, humidity is lowered, and condensation and mould cannot form. It also dilutes the levels of air pollutants in the home.

What is a Whole House Ventilation System (PIV) system?

As you can see, we believe that ventilating your property is key to improving the quality of Internal air. One system we have mentioned in the whole house ventilation (PIV) system. In essence this system works by taking the positive pressure from your loft space and using that to force the moisture laden air out of the property before it gets a chance to condense. Positive Input Ventilation systems are ideal for curing your mould & condensation issues and air filtration. A single system is ducted to a central area which covers your whole property. Furthermore, there are both loft and wall mounted options to suit your house or apartments.

What is Breath Easy Week?

This summer, from 18-24^th June 2018, British Lung Foundation focuses on lung health and raising awareness of lung conditions. We like to do our bit to support charities and as such, we’ll donate 10% of our profit from every PIV installation we complete in June.

Although June may not be in the official ‘condensation season’, the signs you had last winter will return. Your condensation issue may even be worse this winter so we suggest you take advantage of this offer while you can. Get fresh, clean air to help your whole family breathe easier.

Want to know more?

What next? Contact us now to see how we can help you improve the quality of internal air in your home.

The post Q is for Quality of Internal Air appeared first on www.AtlantisDamp.co.uk.

source https://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/blog/qualityofinternalair/

N is for Nitrates and Rising Damp

In this installment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd, N is for Nitrates and Rising Damp.

In the vast majority of cases we use our experience and moisture profiling techniques to determine whether the dampness in your home is, in fact, rising damp. It could be from another source entirely. It could be a leak, condensation or penetrating damp. However, if you so wish we can confirm our findings. We do this through what is known as destructive testing. With destructive testing, we can see if there are chlorides and nitrates in the wall sample. Nitrates and Rising Damp are inextricably linked.

Damp is a salty business,

A consequence of rising damp is that it brings with it up from the ground various salts, mainly chlorides and nitrates. These accumulate in higher concentrations at the surface of the damp section of an affected wall from where evaporation takes place. This links Nitrates and Rising Damp. The greatest concentration of these salts is towards the highest point that the moisture has risen. These salts are moisture attracting (hygroscopic). Even if the rising damp that originally introduced them has been prevented, the salts will remain. They have the ability to cause persistent damp patches and spoil decorations. Especially when the atmosphere is damp and humid.

Why focus on Nitrates?

We always focus on the presence of nitrates in our samples as chlorides can be present in tap water. We’re only interested in salts that have risen from the ground.

There are three conditions that must be present in your sample to identify that rising damp is present. They are:

1. As mentioned above, you must have a rising damp moisture profile. That is a profile (think pattern of moisture readings) that is wetter at the wall base but gradually decreases with height. The maximum height is usually up to 1.0-1.5m, but this can differ depending on factors such as the humidity levels in your home or the property’s water table.

2. Furthermore, you may wish that we prove that moisture is present at depth in the masonry and that it is not enough to take surface readings from the plaster work. We  have a radio frequency mode on our high tech moisture meters, which can detect moisture at depth. We are also equipped to carry out destructive testing at your request. This will involve deep wall probes or a calcium carbide (speedy) meter to confirm this on site.

3. You will then need to confirm that nitrates are present in the damp apex of your moisture profile. This will involve doing on site analysis or us sending a sample off to the labs. A positive test for nitrates confirms that the moisture has leached up from the soil.

Salts analysis can be a very useful method of determining if rising damp is the cause of dampness. Therefore, we can provide this service if you request it as it provides a crucial aid to correct diagnosis.  We also provide an off-site remote diagnostic service.  By simply removing a small sample of your plaster or wall covering and sending it to our external laboratory, who then carry out salts analysis on our behalf and advise you if any are present. 

Want to know more?

See our blog on Hygroscopic salts and then contact Jamie or Freya for an informal chat to see how we can help you.

The post N is for Nitrates and Rising Damp appeared first on www.AtlantisDamp.co.uk.

source https://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/blog/n-nitrates-rising-damp/

O is for Owners Can Help

The A-Z of Damp & Timber from Atlantis Damp Proofing Specialists… O is for Owners can Help Themselves

In this episode of The A-Z of Damp from Atlantis Damp & Timber Proofing Specialists Ltd, O is for Owners can Help Themselves.

With the long weekend ahead of us, we know it should be the perfect opportunity to bring out the patio furniture and stock up on charcoal for the BBQ – but, it’s also the perfect time to give your property the “quick once over” to tackle any issues that may have come apparent during the winter months. Let’s take a look at some of the main problems you should look out for.

General Maintenance

Time and time again we see poor general maintenance leading to internal damp issues. You can help by following these simple steps:

• Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of debris and vegetation
• Keep your pointing in sound condition and replace any bricks that have spalled.
• Fix any slipped tiles/ replace lost tiles as soon as possible to prevent moisture ingress.
• Cut back climbers from external walls if your property is built using solid wall construction.
• If you get a new driveway installed, make sure that you have it installed leaving sufficient height to the DPC.

Rising Damp

Rising damp is caused by moisture finding its way into your home through brickwork or stonework. To see if rising damp is present there are certain checks that can be made by yourself without the assistance of a damp surveyor.

The typical signs of identifying rising damp include the following:

• Horizontal brown or discoloured ‘tide’ marks to be seen typically up to 1 meter in height (although it can go higher!) on interior walls.
• Plaster will bubble and peel away from the interior walls
• Wooden beading and skirting boards will become brittle and eventually show the signs of deterioration
• Mould on walls.
• Walls may feel damp when touched

Woodworm

Woodworm is one of the most common forms of damage in timber in the UK. One of the most unfortunate parts of a woodworm infestation is that the signs of the problem are only visible at the end of the woodworm’s lifecycle. This is when the woodworm beetle breaks free from within the timber to continue its breeding.

The signs to look out for are what we call exit holes. These holes in the wood or timber can be between 2 and 5 mm in diameter meaning they can often be spotted up close without the need for a magnifying glass, unless there is a large infestation and many exit holes together.

Condensation

Condensation can create unsightly black mould that can become a continued nuisance for you, the owner, and lead to health issues if left unchecked. But don’t worry, there are some easy steps that you can take help to alleviate this problem in your home. Take a look at our top tips below:

TOP TIP 1:

Keep your home well ventilated by opening windows every day. You should also make sure that the drip vents in your windows are open as these allow additional airflow that will combat condensation. If you have condensation on windows it is likely that it will be elsewhere in your property too.

TOP TIP 2:

When you are cooking always turn the extractor fans on in the kitchen on a high power. This will extract any excess moisture from boiling pots and pans. If possible, open up the kitchen windows whilst cooking for extra ventilation. It is an idea to leave the extractor fan on for longer than you are cooking as there will be excess moisture in the air which you cannot see.

TOP TIP 3:

After taking a bath or shower there will be excess moisture in the air. To stop condensation forming, the bathroom windows should be opened and extractor fans turned on. Try to keep the bathroom door shut as much as possible so the moisture doesn’t escape into other parts of your home. The more moisture-laden air you can get out at source, the better.

TOP TIP 4:

When you are drying your clothes you should dry them outside where possible. If you cannot do this then put them in an enclosed room and keep the window open. If you use a tumble dryer to dry your clothes it is extremely important that the ventilation pipe runs to the outside of your property.

TOP TIP 5:

You should leave a small gap between the walls of your home and your furniture as this allows the air to move away from the bottom of the walls and circulate around the room. If air lingers between the furniture and walls it will condense onto walls and could eventually form into black mould.

TOP TIP 6: 

Your property’s airways such as air bricks and chimneys should be clear to allow airflow in and out of your home. Air ventilation is extremely important as you don’t want moist air to be trapped in one part of your home as it will condense on your walls.

TOP TIP 7: 

During the winter and at other cold times of the year you should try to maintain a constant temperature in your home, a minimum background heating of 10 degrees.

Want to know more about Condensation? Click here.

Need help to rid your property of rising damp, woodworm or condensation, contact us now for an informal chat to see how we can help you.

The post O is for Owners Can Help appeared first on www.AtlantisDamp.co.uk.

source https://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/blog/o-owners-can-help/

L is for listed buildings

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

In this instalment of A-Z of Atlantis Damp Proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd, 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?

Although we strongly recommend the use of Dryzone thixotropic chemical DPC for the vast majority of our damp proofing remedial works, occasionally there comes a time when cream installation is not appropriate. For example, on an English Heritage site. Often it is a condition of any remedial works that the building must be able to be returned to their original condition. Once the thixotropic cream has cured to form a water resistant barrier along the mortar course, it can not be removed. This is where Electro Osmosis Damp proofing system may be utilised.

What is Electro Osmosis?

Electro-osmosis involves the introduction of a low static electrical charge into the masonry, via a series of titanium wire anodes. A series of holes are drilled into the mortar course. The anodes are inserted into these holes at the base of the walls (at the same height as a chemical DPC). The anodes are then linked by a thin wire, creating the circuit. It is then connected to a mains electrical circuit via a small transformer. The volts are very low and perfectly safe. The theory is that the positive charge through the wire repels the rising moisture molecules, thus preventing damp from rising.

What are the benefits of this system?

• Installation is neat and quick.
• The complete circuit is virtually invisible and the disruption is minimal.
• It is chemical free and environmentally friendly. Again, this can sometimes be a key consideration for some customers. Listed building or not.
• The system operates well in all types of masonry (brick, stone composite walls and concrete).
• Energy consumption remains negligibly low.

Which Electro Osmosis system do we use?

• Our anodes are pure titanium coated with a platinum group element. This ensures outstanding reliability and resistance to physical and chemical attack.
• We use titanium wire.
• All modern Electro Osmosis circuits are earthed for your safety.

Why doesn’t Atlantis Damp proofing & Timber Specialists Ltd routinely recommend this damp proofing system?

There are two main reasons that we choose not to routinely recommend the Electro Osmosis system. Firstly, it does not have BBA approval.  Only products and systems that have passed a series of comprehensive assessments – including laboratory tests, on-site evaluations, quality management checks and inspections of production are awarded an Agrément Certificate. This is BBA Approval. Dryzone has BBA approval. This, coupled with the excellent product performance we have seen ourselves over the past decade, means it’s remains our first choice.

Secondly, Electro Osmosis systems provide no solution to salt contaminated walls. See our blog on hygroscopic salts to understand why we believe this is the second half of any good solution to tackle rising damp.

So in spite of the fact that we believe that Electro Osmosis may have a place in today’s Damp Proofing industry, we will not be recommending it to solve the damp issues in the sandstone cottage we saw today. Despite the non-standard construction of the property in Tarporley, Cheshire, we believe Dryzone thixotropic cream will be the most effective solution.

Are you unsure of the best option to treat your property’s rising damp issue? Contact us today to talk it through or arrange a site visit so we can explain t he best option to you.

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source http://www.atlantisdamp.co.uk/blog/l-listed-buildings-electro-osmosis/