Middlesbrough · Teesside · since 1989
Rising Damp, Woodworm & Dry Rot Specialists
Established by husband and wife team David & Valerie Holdsworth, Crown Damp-Proofing are a family run business specialising in the control of damp and decay in residential and commercial buildings.
4.444 Google reviews
Property Care Association
Full members, vetted for workmanship, health and safety, financial stability and surveyors qualifications.
TrustMark registered
Members of the Government endorsed Trust Mark scheme. Licence number 461853.
CSRT qualified surveyor
Property inspections are carried out by David Holdsworth, partner and surveyor.
10 year guarantee
Most treatments carry a 10 year company guarantee, insurable for a one off premium.
What we do
The control of damp and decay
Here at Crown Damp-Proofing we use only the latest most advanced ecological products and our aim is to provide an effective response to each individual contract with the minimum of disruption, having built a reputation for solving difficult and complicated problems with quick and cost effective solutions.
01
Rising Damp
Damp proof course installation, with the treated walls re plastered using a specialist plastering system.
02
Penetrating Damp
From leaks, blocked guttering, poor drainage and high external ground levels.
03
Condensation Control
Positive Input Ventilation units, extractor fans with a humidistat, and advice on simple lifestyle changes.
04
Dry & Wet Rot
Timber problems such as dry rot and wet rot, which penetrating or rising dampness can play host to.
05
Woodworm Eradication
Wood destroying insect control and timber treatment.
06
Basement Waterproofing
Part of the control of damp and decay in residential and commercial buildings.
Also registered for
- Cavity Wall Tie Replacement
- Structural Repairs and Maintenance
- Damp Proof Course Installation
- Timber Treatment
Damp proofing
Where damp comes from, and what it does
There are a number of possible sources of a damp or moisture ingress problem typically including rising damp, condensation, penetrating damp, leaks, blocked guttering & poor drainage.
Rising damp affecting ground floor walls is due to either a defective damp course or a bridged damp course by either internal plaster work or external rendering. High external ground levels can cause lateral penetrating dampness at low level.
Penetrating or rising dampness in a building can play host to a number of problems including:
- Damage and deterioration to wall finishes and decorations
- A lingering mouldy odour
- Moisture tide marks on walls
- Mould staining and fungal growth on walls
- Timber problems such as dry rot and wet rot
In severe cases of rising damp, a tell tale ‘tide mark’ can appear across the wall, along with discolouration and sometimes a prolonged smell.
How a new damp course goes in
1
The survey
Once contacted by the client, a convenient time will be arranged to call and inspect the property by our CSRT qualified surveyor. He will inspect the areas of concern and consult with the client as to what remedial works if any need to be carried out.
2. Plaster off
Typically the contaminated plaster is firstly hacked off to a suitable height.
3. Cream injected
A solvent free environmentally friendly damp proof cream is injected into the mortar joint at the new effective DPC level.
4
Re plastered
The treated walls are then re plastered using a specialist plastering system to hold back ground salts while drying out is taking place.
Surveying methods
Finding the real cause before anything is injected
All too often a client who suspects they have rising dampness will call out a contractor who will turn up and then proceed to stick his meter in the base of the walls in question and then state you have rising damp and need it injecting or tanking with only the briefest of inspection.
Non invasive first
Initially when carrying out a survey for dampness in a property we use non invasive methods with a Protimeter MMS meter (Moisture Measurement System). It's a great piece of equipment in the right hands for on site analysis, but like any meter it has its limitations.
Then the exact cause
We may recommend more invasive techniques to establish the exact cause such as carbide meter tests, salts and laboratory analysis. In our reports we can also provide photographic evidence to back up our findings if requested.
Condensation
By far our largest volume of enquiries over the winter months is about condensation. It's an ever increasing problem in our super insulated homes that lack natural ventilation.
There are several things we may recommend to alleviate the problem, such as installing a Positive Input Ventilation unit or extractor fans to the kitchen and bathroom that incorporate a humidistat, or advice on simple lifestyle changes.
We can also install electronic data loggers in the property which automatically record relative humidity over a period of time. On completion of the data logging the results are analysed and a full report provided to the client.
About us
A family run business since 1989
Crown Damp-Proofing was established in 1989 by husband and wife team David & Valerie Holdsworth. We are Teessides’ only local preservation company who are members of the PCA. Be sure you are getting the best by using a member of the Property Care Association.
Property inspections are carried out by David Holdsworth, partner and surveyor, who has passed stringent C.S.R.T exams set by the industry’s examining board. David passed his exams in 1997 after studying at Oldham College.
Fully Qualified
Check to see if the company you call has a surveyor who has passed the CSRT qualification. If they do not have it, they either cannot pass it or are not prepared for the financial outlay and study, either way they are selling you the customer short.
1989
Teessides longest serving preservation contractor
Our treatments are guaranteed for 10 years depending on what work has been undertaken by our company. For a small, one off extra payment, you can insure the work which has been carried out, giving you extra protection in the unlikely event we cease trading.
Crown Damp-proofing are full members of the Property Care Association, which is only allowed after we have been fully vetted for workmanship, health and safety, financial stability, office administration, trading history, surveyors qualifications, insurance and work procedure.
We are the only local company on Teesside and the surrounding areas who have achieved membership of the PCA. A testament to our expertise. We are also members of the Government endorsed Trust Mark scheme.
Reviews
From our customers
“Very happy with the service by Dave and his team from Crown damp proofing this week. Dave came round and completed the survey needed, explained everything, turned up on date and time arranged and gave a great price for the work to be done without any hidden costs. The job was completed on time and the job was left clean and tidy, very professional. Would definitely recommend and use again. Many Thanks”
“I needed some damp proof work done on my house prior to sale completion.I was dreading the process to be honest but Dave and his colleague John arrived on time each day and got on with the job methodically and efficiently. The whole job was done in 3 days and I am very happy with the results. After sending photos to the buyer we exchanged contracts within 5 days and the sale is going through soon.I don't want to have any more damp proof work doing in the future for obvious reasons but if I did I would definitely use Crown again.”
“I used Crown Damp Proofing to treat rising damp on a property purchase. Dave came out on short notice to carry out a survey on the property and the report was provided promptly with a competitive quote for the work required. They were able to work around a busy schedule to fit my job in on short notice and were a pleasure to deal with through out. House was left clean and tidy. They will be my go to for any future work of this nature and would recommend them highly!”
FAQ
Questions we get asked
If you have a question not answered here please ask at info@crowndamp-proofing.co.uk and we will be happy to help you.
Is the work guaranteed and for how long?
Yes, most treatments carry a 10 year company guarantee and for an extra one off premium this guarantee can be insured in the unlikely event we cease trading.
Can I live in my property while the work is being carried out?
It will depend on each individual case, we try to keep dust and rubble to a minimum, but we will discuss this with you before any work commences.
How long should I wait till redecorating the treated walls?
The treated walls can be painted with a matt emulsion once they have dried out (generally 2-3 weeks). A period of 12 month is required to apply wallpaper.
Why does the plaster on the walls have to be removed during a damp proof course? It does not look too bad.
The plaster may contain salts carried up from the ground, such as chlorides and nitrates which are hygroscopic and have the ability to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, which in cases of high humidity can cause continuing dampness to the internal wall surfaces. Replacing this plaster resolves the problem and using an additive in the sand/cement backing coat will prevent any residual salts in the brick work from migrating into the plaster after the rising dampness has been controlled.
Why should I use a CSRT qualified surveyor?
A CSRT surveyor has passed three stringent exams set by the industry's governing body, and been questioned in front of a panel of experts to test their knowledge. Only when all three exams are passed (damp, timber and health and safety) are you awarded the CSRT, and it is a costly process. It's a sad fact most companies' surveyors have at most been on a one day course put on by whichever chemical manufacturer they use. So have my staff, but I would not let them survey your property. If a surveyor or company cannot be bothered to spend the time to study to sit the exams, or is not prepared for the financial outlay, they are selling you the customer short. Partner and senior surveyor David Holdsworth passed his exams in 1997 after studying at Oldham College.
What is the Property Care Association?
It's the governing body in our industry, membership is strict and members are assessed every two years. We are inspected financially, for on site working practices, health and safety, office administration procedures, qualifications (surveyors must be CSRT qualified), correct insurances are in place, survey reports, storage of chemicals both on site and in transit, COSHH and risk assessments, asbestos awareness to name but a few. We are the only privately owned preservation company in the area who have achieved membership of the PCA, a testament to our quality and expertise.
Where we work
We cover the following areas
Middlesborough, Stockton, Redcar, Saltburn, Brotton, Great Ayton, Guisborough, Stokesley, Hartlepool & Darlington
Office hours
- Mon-Fri
- 08:00-16:30
- Sat-Sun
- Closed
372 Acklam Road, Acklam, Middlesbrough TS5 8AZ
Contact us
Get a quote
Tell us about the damp, rot or condensation you're seeing and where the property is, and we'll arrange a convenient time to call and inspect it.
