Ever wondered how buildings of the UNESCO world heritage site: Venice are looking so good despite standing in seawater for centuries? And what this has to do with a British Company: Core Conservation?The story of this award-winning lime product is…
This article was written for those who seriously consider converting a barn, or those who intend to renovate or extend an already converted barn. We are surveyors and as such we often come in when there are problems with the building…
Rising Damp – Different ViewpointsAmongst all moisture-related problems rising damp is probably one of the more controversial topics in the UK. As mentioned on the previous page, an important piece of the puzzle - that vapour movement alone, without liquid…
Dampness is Always Accompanied by Electrical ActivityOne of the recent important discoveries was that the movement of humidity in masonry is ALWAYS accompanied by complex electrical activity. Whenever a wall fabric gets damp, electrical voltages and currents spring to life…
In the previous section we have briefly mentioned that there are differences between sweet water (no salts) and saline water (with salts) wetting.Here we are going to look into some of these differences, as understanding them is very important..Fresh Water…
The subject of rising damp and how to solve it is surrounded by considerable controversy. This is partially due to its complexity, partially due to ongoing misinformation.Here are the most common misconceptions Use judgement and common sense in determine what…
After discussing the basics of condensation in the previous section, let's see now what are the main drivers behind it. Because condensation occurs as a result of an interaction between temperature and humidity, condensation can be driven by any of these two…
When facing with dampness problems, the most common practical questions being asked are: What dampness problems my building has?How can I fix them?Diagnosing Dampness Problems - By Building AreaAlthough dampness in old buildings is a complex and comprehensive topic, we have…
One of the fundamental points of confusion on the subject of dampness is the confusion between rising damp and condensation. Recent research on condensation has finally clarified the differences between these two phenomena.Rising Damp vs. Condensation – Simple, Non-Technical ExplanationRising…
The concept of breathability is paramount in building conservation. Breathability means the fabric of old building needs to be open-pore or permeable to moisture. This way water vapors can penetrate the fabric and moisture can evaporate out from the fabric…
The topic of moisture sources in old buildings can be easiest understood by inspecting and understanding the main Water Cycle in nature. The moisture content of old buildings, which are an integral part of the greater environment, are being driven…
After discussing the basics of condensation in the previous section, let's see now what are the main drivers behind it. Because condensation occurs as a result of an interaction between temperature and humidity, condensation can be driven by any of these two…
