The homeowner had become concerned about the condition of the exterior brickwork and masonry and had begun to witness some localised water penetration internally at and around window reveals.
We employed visual and tactile means of investigation including; use of a tripod-mounted monocular to assess and record visual defects, thermal imaging to identify potential areas of vulnerability/failure, tap testing of render/masonry to investigate delamination and masonry sampling as laid out in BRE Guidance Note 245 to gain an initial understanding of rising and penetrating damp. Several defects were identified as a result of these works, typically relating to general weathering over time, though issues had largely been compounded by a history of insensitive repairs. This included the use of impermeable film forming paints and inappropriate cementitious mortar repairs.
Findings were compiled in a report format which included draft repair schedules, annotated drawings and a photographic record of conditions. This included cost-effective advice in relation to cleaning, efflorescence, spalling and maintenance. We recommended to the client that this document should be used to tender works for the necessary repairs to take place.
