Insured Guarantees for Damp Proofing and Tanking
We Are Accredited
The insured guarantees for damp proofing and tanking work which Cannon Contractors offer are second to none. Cannon has once again proved to be a most reliable contractor after being accredited again so we are as pleased as punch!
We Won’t Bail Out
Its often said that guarantees for damp proofing and tanking are not worth the paper they are written on as contractors either cease trading or retire. However, by taking out an Insured Guarantee this will protect the work for the duration of the guarantee – giving the client peace of mind.
Not only does it give the client peace of mind, it also says something about the company who offers them.
We Offer Insured Guarantees for Damp Proofing and Tanking
All IGL contractors are independently vetted against a checklist of over sixty three standards they are expected to meet and only contractors showing a high degree of technical competence, a full knowledge of current Health and Safety regulations (to protect you, the customer) together with financial stability are eligible for membership.
Need that peace of mind? Why not get in touch with our friendly and helpful staff for all your damp proofing, tanking and timber related issues.
Condensation Control -Facts
Condensation – How to stop water on the windows. Mould on walls.
Condensation is by far the most common cause of dampness in buildings, probably accounting for the majority of damp problems reported. It affects both old and new buildings, but it appears to be a significant problem where the building has been modernised.
Condensation dampness’ is a condition that affects millions of homes in the UK and is particularly common in houses which are poorly heated and insulated i.e. have more cold surfaces and usually gets worse in winter. This problem can lead to staining and mould growth damaging wallpaper, wall surfaces, window frames, furniture and clothing. The tiny spores produced by this mould and higher numbers of dust mites due to the moist conditions can also increase the risk of illness such as asthma and bronchitis.
What is condensation?
All air contains a certain amount of ‘invisible’ water vapour. The higher the temperature of the air the more water vapour it can hold. Condensation frequently occurs when air carrying vapour comes into contact with a cool surface. At this reduced temperature less water can be held and it is deposited. It is for this reason that the bathroom mirror steams up after a shower or a window when you breathe on it.
Where does condensation dampness occur?
The most vulnerable areas will either be rooms where a large amount of moisture is produced, i.e. bathroom/kitchen, or on cold surfaces in other rooms where this moisture can travel to. The effects of this process may be visible, for example droplets of water on gloss painted windowsill’s, but often the water droplets will soak into the wall and a problem will not be diagnosed until black mould patches start to appear.
The following areas are particularly prone to condensation:
- Cold surfaces such as mirrors, single glazed windows (above) and metal window frames.
- Kitchens and bathrooms.
- Walls of unheated rooms.
- Cold corners of rooms.
- Wardrobes/cupboards and behind furniture against an outside wall.
How to tackle condensation dampness
The major difference between condensation and other forms of dampness is that you have the ability to reduce or solve the problem just through changing behaviour in the home. Try following these steps:
Reduce the moisture: Normal activities such as bathing, washing and cooking all produce moisture which cannot be avoided. Simple changes however can prove effective in tackling condensation dampness. Steps to consider are:
- Keep lids on saucepans while cooking.
- Tumble driers should be vented to the outside.
- Avoid the use of bottled gas and paraffin heaters as these produce high levels of vapour.
- Dry washing outside when possible.
However, the most effective course of action you can take is:
- When creating steam in the kitchen/bathroom open windows and close doors to these rooms. This will let moisture escape and prevent it from spreading through the house.
Increase ventilation: This is required so that moist air produced can escape, simply opening a window will do. A suitable level of ventilation will allow this without making occupants uncomfortable by causing draughts and making the room cold. It may be quite difficult to strike the right balance. It is for this reason many houses have built in ventilation measures such as trickle ventilators and extractor fans.
Hot spot areas such as bathrooms and kitchens should have fans that remove excess moisture to prevent this from spreading to other areas. Humidistat fans work by automatically operate when a pre-set humidity is reached. However you must remember that they work when the steam crosses over the sensor that is built within the fan.
Heating: Having a constant temperature rather than having peaks and troughs, condensation is most likely to be a problem in homes which are under heated. Try to keep temperatures in all rooms above 15°C as this will reduce condensation forming on external walls.
Insulation: Following these steps should significantly reduce any condensation dampness problems you may have. If a problem still exists, insulating your home will have a three fold value in tackling the problem through:
- Warming the surface temperature of wall, ceilings and windows.
- Generally increase the temperature of the home.
- Reducing heating costs thus allowing the home to be heated to a higher standard more affordably.
Positive Input Ventilation: These units use the air that is in within the roof space and delivers this air back into the property to reduce the relative humidity (RH). Having a lower RH will reduce the possibility of condensation as with lower moisture within the air condensation does not occur.