DOMESTIC BASEMENT, WILTSHIRE
Newton System 500 used as a robust flood control system to Prevent flood damage and treat damp.

HISTORY

This gorgeous cottage in Wiltshire required a robust flood control system to prevent it from flooding and to control the damp in the cob and stone walls. We were engaged by the cottage owner to carry out a site survey and to specify The necessary work to provide a guaranteed cure for flooding and to remedy a Damp problem.

METHODOLOGY

Our fully qualified staff carefully removed the stairs and floor. A concrete floor was installed with a Newton Basedrain set in at the wall floor junction and draining out at the front of the building. Newton 508 Cavity Drain membrane was installed over the concrete floor and Newton 508 mesh membrane over the walls, which were then finished with plasterboard. We also then refitted the stairs and joinery items.

RESULT

The cottage is now permanently free of the risk of flooding and the walls are decorated and free of damp.

ADVANTAGES OF USING MACLENNAN-LSE:

• The contract designed and carried out by us under our insurance cover and PI.
• Carries our 20 year guarantee.
• The system was installed over friable stone and lime mortar where any other system such as cement, epoxy based systems would not be suitable.
• The system could be ventilated to allow the walls to “breathe”

Testimonial

The property, a converted signal-mans cottage has a small cellar which due to heavy rain had flooded. The water had risen to the floor joist level. The flood water had drained and left the basement wet.

MacLennan-LSE designed and installed the flood control system to prevent this cottage from flooding and to control the damp in the cob and stone walls

The armoury at Tidworth for the MOD was suffering from rising and penetrating damp in all walls. The building also suffered from the effects of condensation.

Yet again Maclennan-LSE have been asked to comment on damp in a cob wall,  where lime mortar has been recommended. The wall is earth retaining and lime mortar in this situation would not be suitable. Even though we sell and apply lime mortars we would never apply it to a very damp wall let alone an earth retaining wall.

In old buildings, walls were built to such a thickness that normally damp would not penetrate to the inside. The joints were always of lime mortar or earth and were more porous than the building’s structural elements comprising brick, stone etc. Consequently the joints would drain and shed water by evaporation, therefore not allowing damage to these structural elements. The joints were the sacrificial element of the building.

The remedies employed to protect the walls were often ineffective or unsightly. The more effective remedies were slate/tile hanging or Mathematical tiling on battens. However, they do not suit every house or every situation.

Sand cement render was used in most situations from 1900 onwards. Cement render invariably cracks allowing rain water in and compounding the problem.

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