We’re experts in solving your building’s unsolvable problems
DAMP & DRAUGHTS
A SPECIALIST RETROFIT SERVICE
The problems that plague so many existing buildings usually all have the same causes - if you know what to look for.
We pride ourselves on fixing those problems that crop up again and again in existing buildings and too often seem impossible to solve. You know the ones: damp, draughts, leaks, mould, un-heatable spaces, things bad to smell and worse to look at it. We’ve seen it all.
Our extensive experience working on old buildings means we’re experts at solving the things people don’t know what to do about except paper, plaster or paint over.
We offer a comprehensive service including a thorough assessment of the problem areas in your building and a range of traditional and specialist building services to resolve the issues we find.
Our tried and tested methods get to the heart of the problem quickly, arming you with the information and expertise you need to sort this stuff out - once and for all.
Say goodbye to miserable living spaces: the solution starts here.
The cause of your problems -
- in your building, that is. We can’t help you with your tax return.
In existing buildings most unsavoury problems usually stem from a water leak, water ingress, mismatched ground levels, not enough ventilation or too much (from say, a hole).
Our starting point is therefore always to look for the cause. For us, this is usually fairly easy. In curious cases or where more information is needed, we may recommend conducting an air tightness test to check if, and where, there might be any major holes in your building’s fabric. We may also recommend conducting some investigative testing to confirm our suspicions. This is where we drill tiny holes and use a small camera to see inside inaccessible spaces.
When we’ve thoroughly assessed your building we’ll explain to you what we’ve found and outline what we suggest to remedy the problems. We pride ourselves on never simply covering over a problem, but solving it. We’ll help you compare options where there’s a choice of approaches or materials and we can manage the involvement of outside specialists if this is needed (for example in cases of suspected dry rot or wood worm).
Our experienced and trusted team will carry out all the recommended building works and make good any areas which need plastering or painting.
From problem management to property upgrade
In the course of addressing old issues many clients use the same moment to contemplate upgrading their building at the same time.
These upgrades can form part of the problem management, for instance in installing an appropriate ventilation system if the problem had been mould. Or they can be an added extra which makes economic and logistical sense to do at the same time, for instance adding solid wall insulation at the same as re-rendering or repairing a damaged wall.
We’re specialists in the retrofit of existing buildings, which means we’re the perfect people to specify and install these upgrades at the same as solving the problems you called us in to fix.
We’ll let you know if we think there’s an obvious synergy between the work we’re already doing and any potential upgrades which we think would benefit your building. Alternately you can explore our pages on lime plastering, solid wall insulation and whole house retrofit to find out more about what we can offer.
Natural materials and existing buildings.
Our commitment to sustainability extends throughout all aspects of our work. Natural materials are an important part of this approach, but they also offer important performance benefits to both modern and older buildings.
Traditional modern solutions to problems such as damp routinely involve installing waterproof barriers. We take the opposite approach. Instead of trying to form a barrier - which just as readily traps water in as well as keeps it out - we focus on finding and resolving the source of the water, before repairing the area with ‘vapour open’ natural materials.
Natural materials can be especially important in older buildings as they tend to work better with the existing fabric of the building.
Our natural materials of choice for remedying existing problems include timber, wood fibreboard and lime plaster and and render. Internally we recommend finishing all walls with natural clay-based paints and all woodwork with natural oil finishes rather than varnishes.
All these materials have a natural beauty, don’t trap moisture and are non-toxic to internal air quality.
“I put full trust in Dan and he didn't let me down. He was reliable, kept me informed and was honest and transparent throughout. I knew Dan and team were working really hard to give me the best result possible. I now have a beautiful home thanks to their hard work.”
Selected projects
-
![Newbuild house with black cladding built to Passivhaus standard]()
Yelverton - New Build
A stunning Passivhaus standard timber-frame new build nestled in the heart of Dartmoor.
-
![Bright playroom with wooden dining table, chairs, bookshelves, colorful letters on the wall spelling 'PLAY', wall clock, map, potted plants, and child’s artwork displayed.]()
Colston Road - Retrofit
This whole-house retrofit is an exemplar of what can be achieved with an existing building.
-
![The Hutong Cafe sign on building exterior with glass awning.]()
The Hutong Cafe - Retrofit
We did an extensive retrofit on this popular Plymouth cafe and the flat above, achieving Passive House EnerPHIT standard.
-
![Modern living and dining area with exposed wooden ceiling beams, featuring a wooden dining table with chairs, a blue sectional sofa, a purple armchair, a wooden coffee table, and orange pendant lights. The open kitchen highlights orange backsplash and cabinetry. Large windows and indoor plants add brightness and greenery to the space.]()
Folleigh - Retrofit
This extensive retrofit transformed this 1950’s bungalow into a modern, low-energy and open plan home.
Ready to find out how to solve your building’s problems?
Give us a call or drop us an email to chat through the issues you’re struggling with on your existing building.
Any initial chat or consultation is always free and no-obligation.