Damp & Timber Investigation Uncovers Extensive Water Damage in Chesterfield
Date Published
Water damage within a property can be extremely frustrating, particularly when previous attempts to identify and repair the problem have failed. Without establishing the underlying cause, moisture can continue spreading through walls, floors and structural timbers, resulting in increasingly serious damage.
Carole contacted AMPM Property Maintenance after experiencing extensive water damage at her property in Chesterfield, affecting several rooms including the dining room, conservatory, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.
Despite previous contractors attending the property and carrying out repairs, water ingress remained a serious problem.
Following a comprehensive intrusive damp and timber investigation, our qualified surveyor Steven Avenier successfully identified the source of the water ingress and prepared a detailed report to support Carole's insurance claim.
What Our Damp & Timber Investigation Found
Unlike a standard visual inspection, an intrusive damp investigation involves carefully opening up affected areas of a property to investigate defects that may be concealed behind plaster, walls or flooring.
During our inspection, Steven opened up sections of the bathroom and dining room walls to investigate the suspected source of the water ingress.
The investigation revealed active leaks from internal soil stack and bathroom waste pipes, with water cascading down through the building and beneath the suspended timber floor.
This explained why previous repairs had failed to resolve the problem. The underlying source of the water damage had remained undetected, allowing moisture to continue affecting the surrounding structure.
Extensive Timber Decay and Water Damage
Unfortunately, the prolonged water ingress had resulted in extensive deterioration of the affected building materials.
Our investigation identified significant damage to the suspended timber floor, including deterioration of structural floor joists and evidence of timber decay and rot.
The surrounding walls and plasterwork had also been affected by moisture, with mould contamination present within damaged areas.
The extent of the deterioration meant that isolated repairs would not provide a suitable long-term solution. A more comprehensive programme of remedial works would be necessary to address both the leaking pipework and the resulting damage.
Recommended Damp & Timber Remedial Works
Following the investigation, AMPM prepared a comprehensive remedial specification to address the underlying plumbing defects and the extensive damage they had caused.
The proposed works include replacing the defective bathroom waste pipework to eliminate the source of the water ingress.
Within the kitchen and dining room, damaged and contaminated plasterwork will need to be removed back to the brickwork to allow the affected structure to be properly treated and dried.
The damaged suspended timber floor will also require replacement, including the removal of decayed structural joists and the installation of new treated timbers and floorboards.
Once the moisture problems have been resolved and the affected areas have been sufficiently dried, the rooms can be replastered and reinstated, including the replacement of the affected kitchen.
The proposed remedial package also includes a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee, subject to the applicable terms and completion of the specified works.
By addressing the leaking pipework alongside the damaged timber, walls and plasterwork, the proposed treatment is designed to resolve the underlying problem rather than simply conceal the visible damage.
The Outcome in Chesterfield
Although the discovery confirmed that extensive remedial works would be required, Carole finally received the answers she had been looking for.
After previous contractors had been unable to resolve the ongoing water ingress, Steven's intrusive investigation identified the source of the problem and established the extent of the resulting damage.
A detailed report was prepared for her insurance company within a couple of days, providing the documentation and recommendations needed to progress the next stage.
This case demonstrates why a specialist damp and timber investigation can be so valuable when the cause of water ingress is unclear.
At AMPM, we're not just damp proofers. We're problem solvers.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Carole's Review
"Catastrophic water damage to property affecting dining room, conservatory, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. No obvious cause. Steven carried out a full survey and found the source of the problem In very quick time. He then prepared a comprehensive report for my insurance company within a couple of days. What a refreshing change to find somebody who is so reliable, efficient and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend AMPM Property maintenance."
Carole Gilby, Chesterfield
Why Choose AMPM Property Maintenance?
At AMPM Property Maintenance, we provide professional damp and timber surveys, intrusive damp investigations and specialist remedial works throughout Chesterfield, Derbyshire and the surrounding areas.
Our qualified CSTDB damp and timber surveyor, Steven Avenier, has over 30 years of experience within the construction industry, combining practical building knowledge with specialist expertise in dampness, timber decay and building defects. As members of the Property Care Association (PCA), we understand the importance of identifying the underlying cause of damp problems before recommending treatment.
Whether you are experiencing unexplained water ingress, extensive timber decay or recurring damp problems that previous repairs have failed to resolve, our team can investigate the issue and provide clear, practical recommendations. We can also prepare detailed damp and timber investigation reports to support insurance claims where water damage has affected a property.
If you need a damp investigation in Chesterfield, contact AMPM Property Maintenance to discuss your requirements.
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