SERVICES
Woodworm:
The most common wood boring insect attack in soft wood structural
timbers, plywood and furniture is the 'Common Furniture Beetle'
which
accounts for over three quarters of all forms of woodworm
infestation in Britain. The first signs of woodworm in timber
are the neat round exit holes, about 2mm across which are, if
active, accompanied by small piles of white/cream wood dust beneath the
holes. One of the best known beetles is the 'Death Watch
Beetle'. It has the same life cycle as the furniture beetle, but the
grub is much larger (4mm) and burrows through the wood for anything up to
10 years. Death Watch Beetle primarily attacks hardwoods, such
as oak beams. Frequently found in sapwood and timbers that
have suffered damp penetration or fungal decay.
Another common
beetle is the Wood Boring Weevil which again attacks timbers that
have suffered from damp penetration and fungal decay. Susceptible
timbers to this infestation are ground floor timbers in close
proximity to damp walls and earth oversites.
Dry Rot ('serpula
lacrymans')
Dry Rot is certainly one of the most serious problems that
can occur in a property. It is triggered off initially by
a source of moisture - damaged roofing, broken guttering or downpipes, faulty plumbing, damage to WC pans and cisterns, rising
dampness in walls at ground level together with a lack of subfloor
ventilation.
For the fungus to
establish itself from millions of minute spores carried in the air,
the timber must have a moisture content of approximately 21% or
above. In its early stages of development the growth is white
and fluffy, similar in appearance to cotton wool. Dry Rot
strands (Hyphae) grow on the surface of the timber and masonry and
in advanced state develop into sporaphors (fruiting bodies) which
will be coloured a distinctive rust brown, violet and yellow which
in turn produce millions of rust coloured spores for future
propagation. These area when the fungus is under threat - when it
reaches light or ventilation.
Wet Rot:
There are many types of wet rot with cellar fungus being the
most common. Outbreaks are generally only found in extremely
damp situations with a moisture content of timber over 40%.
Some wet rots are often mistaken for Dry Rot as the destruction of
the timber and the fungal strands can be similar in appearance.
Damp Proofing:
Rising dampness can occur due to the breakdown of an existing slate
or bitumen damp course but in older properties many were never
constructed with a damp course and as a result moisture is allowed
to rise in the walls by capillary action.
Internal render and
plaster begins to breakdown and as the moisture evaporates away off
the surface, it leaves deposit of 'salts' some of which are
hygroscopic and absorb moisture. In addition, rising dampness
is most often the principal cause of fungal decay in skirting boards
and ground floor timbers.
Cellar/Basement
Waterproofing:
Converting cellars into habitable basement areas creates
valuable additional living space but if not undertaken correctly can
lead to water ingress and costly damage often occurring. The
survey of the cellar together with the external ground conditions
and drainage is very important which combined with our local
knowledge allows us to specify the correct waterproofing solution.
The process of
water proofing a wall (sometimes referred to as 'tanking') involves
either a plastic membrane or a multi-coat render system. A
third option of an epoxy resin system is available for a limited
number of situations also.
We are approved
contractors for most major manufacturers including John Newton/Wykamol/Safeguard
for cavity drain membranes and Vandex/Sika for multi-coat cement
based systems.
Exe Terminators
have had over 27 years of waterproofing not only standard basements
but also the much more challenging lift pits encountered in
commercial premises often below the water table. Our work is
undertaken in accordance with The British Standard Code of Practice
for Below Ground Structural Waterproofing, BS8102:2009.
We are qualified
through the School of Waterproofing which allows us to provide our
own 10 year guarantee as well as a back-up guarantee issued through
the Guarantee Protection Insurance scheme.
Our surveyor Nick Sturt is qualified as a Certified Surveyor in
Structural Waterproofing (CSSW) and is therefore able to help design
water proofing systems in existing homes or in a new build
situation.
Cavity Wall Tie
Replacement:
Cavity walls consist of an outer and inner 'leaf' of blocks,
brick, masonry or timber frame held together at intervals by various
types of metal wall tie. Unfortunately, the quality of the
ties and the care with which they were installed was, in many cases
substandard. Consequently, the various protective coats used
on mild steel ties gradually degrade by oxidation leading to
corrosion, expansion and finally, breaking of the tie altogether.
The only way to prevent corrosion of the wall tie is to build with
stainless steel wall ties in the first instance or to fit all
stainless steel remedial wall ties when undertaking repairs.
Wall
Reinforcement:
Where masonry has cracked as a result of ground movement or
changes in loads and stresses we can stabilise the wall (once the
cause of any ongoing movement is rectified) with crack stitching
techniques using Thor Helical reinforcement system.
Timber
Engineering:
It is not uncommon to find that structural timbers, especially
in older and historic buildings have suffered severely as a result
of fungal decay and/or insect infestations. In many cases
costs of replacing structurally weakened timber is extremely
expensive. With, however, the specialist use of resins and
reinforcing rods, repairs to damaged wood can be carried out in
situ. In most cases the work is considerably less expensive
than replacement of the complete timber. We use the Rotafix
Timber Engineering System, which has been developed over the last
two decades. Exe Terminators is a leader in the field of
timber engineering with numerous contracts undertaken over the last
10 years.
Example of Large
Timber Resin Splice End Repair:
PEACE OF MIND
-
Fully
experienced, trained and nationally qualified surveyors will
correctly identify any problems or potential ones and offer a
suitable solution that meets your needs.
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Helpful office
staff and surveyors always on hand.
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Our own widely
experienced, and fully trained technicians (skilled tradesmen)
will ensure an excellent finish. (Some employed by us for
more than 16 years).
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We have
successfully completed 10,000 jobs in the area over the years -
ask your friends, neighbours, builder or surveyor about our
reputation!
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20-year
guarantee backed by the Guarantee Protection Trust Ltd.
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Established
since 1983.
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Long-term member
of the British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association (BWPDA)
now the Property Care Association.
WE SAVE YOU
MONEY
WE CARE FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT:
Examples of this
approach are:
-
'boron' products
- no 'volatile organic compounds'.
-
'micro
emulsions' - the safest pesticides yet, allowing re-entry to
treated areas in only 1 hour (when dry).
-
low disturbance
timber engineering with epoxy resins - saves trees!
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