“Here, the PCA can help. Members are all experts in building preservation and have the experience and training necessary to give the right advice.

“They have been carefully vetted before being awarded membership and the PCA is also a member of TrustMark, the scheme supported by Government to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.”

   A Blight on Property  “If damp conditions are allowed to persist in any property then it soon feels unpleasant for the occupants. Wallpaper and paint and other finishes are often damaged, stale odour can fill the air and in extreme causes fungal decay and beetle infestation can affect joinery and structural timbers.  “Water entering a structure will lead to serious problems if left unchecked. A dry rot outbreak can represent a serious blight to any property. Decay can start in concealed timbers that have become damp and, in the right conditions can spread rapidly leading to serious structural failure of the affected wood.  “Modern treatment techniques can be far less invasive than they used to be and are highly effective, but take steps to prevent it - and get the right advice if you sense problems developing – major damage and costly repairs can be avoided if the causes of water ingress are identified and are nipped in the bud.”     

Self-Help “Homeowners can also take some steps to prevent problems occurring in the first place. “Work should be undertaken to stop water getting into a house. Drains need to remain clear of leaves and other debris to enable water to escape from a building quickly, particularly during heavy downpours. “Lead-work and roof tiling should be in good condition and able to withstand the wind as well as the rain.  If anything is loose or worn, water will find its way in. “Gutters should be free from moss, leaves and other debris, and all properly connected up to give water a fast exit from the building. “Poor pointing and rendering, as well as inefficient flashing on chimney breasts, can allow water to stream into a property and these are among the more common problem areas. “Internally, homes should be properly ventilated. With the modern demand for energy-efficient properties, newer buildings often present few opportunities for water vapour – from tumble dryers, showers and other appliances - to escape. In these sealed conditions, water vapour will condense when it meets a cold surface, but allowing a home to breathe – perhaps by opening windows, installing mechanical ventilation and using the heating system effectively – can all help to stem potential problems.” Find out more about the Property Care Association – formerly the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA) at http://www.property-care.org   ENDS 

Written by Jane Shepherd of Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685, mobile 07985 129315.