I have recently moved house. The chimney breast has been dry lined and so is completely non-operative. Recently large damp patches have occurred, though there hasn’t been any rain. It doesn’t look like it is coming from the chimney stack – could it be a leaking pipe? The property is usually left with the windows open a bit so do not think it is condensation. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated – Paul, Stratford
Hi Paul
Ok this is quite a common problem associated with chimney breasts and can be a real pain.
A damp chimney usually happens for one or more of the following reasons:
- Water entering uncapped chimney pots
- Water entering through defective lead flashings around the chimney stack
- Leaking adjacent rainwater goods
- Salt contamination of the wall plaster
The first thing to do is to check outside. Try to inspect the chimney and the associated lead flashings. You may well be able to see any defects clearly from the ground but if not you may need access equipment. If you are not confident about doing this yourself then contact your local building surveyor and for a fee they will undertake a survey for you. Continue reading » » » »
“I had a damp proof course installed in my property about 6 months ago. Recently I’ve noticed a couple of damp spots on the wall about two feet from the ground. What could these be? Has the damp course failed or could they be due to existing damp leaving?” – Rob, Northumberland
Hi Rob
I have based my opinion on the property being a solid traditional brick built construction with the external ground levels around 150mm below the internal floor level, fairly decent external brickwork and pointing.
I would hazard a guess and say that the dampness you are seeing is probably due to the salt migration in the brick work as a result of the rising dampness you have had treated.
Continue reading » » » »
- Call Now For A Damp Specialist In Your Area
All too often we receive calls at John Newton from the general public, builders and industry professional alike who have fallen foul in one way or another of a supposed ‘damp specialist’.
Finding the right person or company to undertake damp proofing or waterproofing work is often the key factor in firstly getting the correct diagnosis of the problem that you have and secondly in achieving the correct solution.
At John Newton and Company we will always recommend that our systems (particularly below ground) be installed by trained and assessed waterproofing or damp specialist. They will ultimately be responsible for both the design and the installation which means that they will give meaningful, insured installation guarantees for the work they undertake and with most of our recommended contractors having design liability insurance this also allows you to delegate the full design liability for the damp or waterproofing aspect of the project to them . John Newton Associated Damp Specialists are approved installers of a number of waterproofing products and as such will, without bias, put forward a design using the system or systems which they feel will be the most suitable trouble free and effective in the given circumstances.
Our new Interactive Product File is live and ready for you to view!
This online publication has data sheets for all our basement waterproofing, damp proofing, flooring, pumping and drainage products. It is easy to view online and has a turnable page feature, making it as easy to navigate and easy on the eye! You can use it to view our full range of products, download it in pdf format and also send to a friend. You can even print, zoom and search for words, phrases and product names.
If you would like to receive a hard copy of this folder please e-mail us at info@newton-membranes.co.uk
Click Here For The Interactive Product File
Tunnel Waterproofing, Dorset
“The level of service and support that we received from Toby Champion of John Newton was as good as it was ever going to get. We have been delighted with the product support and genuine interest that we have received in our project and would strongly recommend that any one looking for a cavity membrane product saves themselves the time of researching that market and go directly to John Newton Membranes – you will not be disappointed.”
- Richard Clist, Clist Properties Ltd, www.thetunnel.com
Damp Proofing, Gibraltar
“It is not often that one deals with a company who moves as fast and efficiently as we would like everyone in the industry to be….from enquiry to order in a matter of hours was not down to price, but the result of the professional and superb service received from Toby Champion and his technical team at Newton Membranes.
The simple yet highly effective membrane solution to the common problems found in 17th and 18th century bastions, tunnels and buildings in Gibraltar has proved to be the easiest and most cost effective permanent solution to the endemic problems of damp and water penetration. I would not hesitate in recommending Newton Membrane solutions to heritage councils and anyone interested in resolving for good, damp related problems whether it’s a basement, a vault or tunnel. Local architects have also shown considerable interests in Newton membranes which looks set to see a promising future looking after Gibraltar’s numerous historic buildings”
- Eddie Lucas, Director, Interbuild, Gibraltar
Basement Waterproofing, London
“I have had Newton System 500 installed in the cellar of my London Victorian property following failure of the previous tanking system as a result of a burst water main in 2009. To say that I am very satisfied with the customer experience with John Newton to date and Newton System 500 is an understatement! The technical team at John Newton are “par excellence”. The company as a whole is exemplary and commendable putting the customer always first and tailoring solutions to meet customer needs!
I had a particularly problematic project and greatly benefitted from the level of support provided by David Bucknell (and Stuart Tansey) of the technical team – David’s knowledge and guidance for me was outstanding. I cannot commend and thank David enough for his assistance! Also, being very “hands on” with this project, I was most impressed with the technical resources available to me on the Newton Membranes website which are both clear and concise.
Finally, as a homeowner I would strongly recommend that anyone thinking of waterproofing their home look no further than John Newton – their products are excellent and this is coupled with the first class service they offer both pre and post installation is unrivalled.”
- G Palazzo
Self Build
“My Building regulations adviser suggested I consider “egg box” type insulation rather than traditional tanking and my builder recommended the Newton system from reputation. The team at Newton were very responsive in discussion my requirements in design and ordering and for quick questions whilst we were on site. The installation of the wall and floor membrane in our 50 sqm basement was very simple and took two of us no more than 8 hours including the floor insulation. We then fitted a free standing wooden stud wall to support the insulation, plaster board and services. All-in-all a simple and well developed solution.” Alisdair Luxmoore www.fleewinter.com
Other Projects
“With the refurbishment of the entire basement apartment, every room, every floor, every wall, and most ceilings needed treatment of some description. I can tell you that due to the John Newton system of waterproofing, the apartment is a dry, warm and comfortable dwelling for the first time in known history” – Dave Salmon, Reading
“I have specified your products before over many years, but was amazed to see how good your website is now. It will help for me to continue specifying your products.” – Anthony Southey, Architect Chartered Services, Dorset
Newton Specialist Basement Contractors
“I use John Newton and Company products because of the friendly and efficient service that we get – nothing is ever too much trouble. The products are excellent and I like being part of the research and development of their products to the ongoing benefit of the waterproofing industry. I like the fact that my company is associated with the market leaders in structural waterproofing”
- Ian MacLennan, MacLennan LSE
“We are proud to be working with John Newton & Co in the Yorkshire and Manchester areas on a variety of projects from residential to commercial properties. We find their website extremely informative and their products are always of excellent quality. This is why we continue to use them on our hundreds of projects, past and present”
- Philip Knowles, Octopus
I would to thank John Newton for the outstanding level of service given to A P Gooch Basement Waterproofing over the last 10 years. No other manufacturer has given the level of support that John Newton has offered. I believe John Newton & Company is the leading manufacturer in membranes within the industry and we have 100% confidence in them whether it be on site, designs, training and prompt deliveries of materials. Without doubt a big part of my company’s success is down to the commitment and personalised service. I look forward to many more years of success using John Newton products and designs.
- Anthony Gooch, AP Gooch Basement Waterproofing
“Guardian has always been aware of John Newton and their great reputation. A few years ago we became an approved Newton Specialist Basement Contractor and have found working with them a pleasure. Their products are of a very high quality and they always provide sound technical advice.”
- Tim Herbert CSSW CSRT (Surveyor), Guardian Preservation
“The Newton drained protection waterproofing system was selected for use in this historic building (Pillar & Lucy House, Gloucester) as it ideally suited the client’s end use requirements and provided a sympathetic, flexible and reversible process satisfying important conservation issues. Working to tight deadlines Protectahome were able to ensure delivery of a highly reliable system of waterproofing, all backed up with John Newton & Company’s excellent technical expertise and quality product portfolio”
- Gary Briscoe, Managing Director, Protectahome Ltd.
“Just to let you know that when I contacted John Newton I was supplied a list of contractors. I contacted a couple of them and they were both extremely helpful. I would like to say – thank you for the assistance and should we need any remedial damp proofing work in the future I will certainly follow up with your company and the suggested contractors again as I have found John Newton to be very helpful. I will also recommend your group as a point of contact to any friends should they need your services.”
- Clare, West London
Feedback to CPD Presentations:
“On behalf of the Group, I write to thank you for the talk by Warren Muschialli on waterproofing to BS 8102. We were very impressed by the quality of the presentation and the advice given to avoid the many potential pitfalls in basement waterproofing”
North West Consulting Engineers, Manchester
“Just a quick note to say thank you for the talk yesterday. It was extremely well received and I got excellent feedback from the attendees”
Hemsley Orrell Partnership, Hove
“We would like to thank your representative for presenting the seminar on Wednesday, 7th October, 2009, our architects found it most informative and interesting”
Johnston and Wright, Cumbria
“Thank you for your assistance in arranging the CPD, we found it beneficial and may be in touch in the future for your assistance on a number of our projects”
Green Design Group, Cockermouth
“Everyone enjoyed the seminar yesterday and found it most useful”
Thomas Robinson Architects, Glasgow
“Many thanks for providing a training session for the graduates at Drivers Jones. We had some very positive feedback from the session and will look forward to JN& Company presenting again in future”
Drivers Jonas Deloitte, London
“Very well received presentation. I’ve already had a lot of good feedback from the team and everyone feels like it has been very beneficial in terms of raising our awareness of waterproofing issues” - AECOM, Newcastle
“I would like to thank you for the seminar on 11th July. Our member found it very informative. In our next newsletter I will put a write up about the below ground waterproofing systems, our readers will be very interested” – Mike Bishop, South West Region, the Institute of Construction Management
What Causes Damp Problems?
- High levels of rainfall have caused damp problems for many
With the high level of rainfall in the UK, the average property has to deal with thousands of litres of rainwater per year, so it’s no surprise that damp problems are rife. Damp walls are unsightly, smelly and cause permanent damage to plaster, paint and finishes. Damp problems can also be bad four our health because they can aggravate respiratory problems and encourage the emergence of mites and mould.
Damp problems can be found all over the house: in or around the roof, walls, floors, windows, doors or pipework on any building.
Often if there is a damp patch visible inside the home, the cause can be identified from the exterior, for example a wet patch in the ceiling might be a sign of a leaky roof. Continue reading » » » »
The issue of damp repair and whether to brick repair from the outside or deal with the problem inside depends on a number of different factors. Firstly lets look at the causes and what systems if any are in place before a damp repair can be recommended. Damp walls occur in structures through defective external pointing causing penetrating damp or simply a leaking gutter, bridging of a damp course from building debris in the cavity, or simply soil bearing up against a wall the classic example being a damp basement or damp cellar.
Damp Repair With Damp Proof Membranes
To make a damp repair to a property suffering from penetrating damp one must look externally to the quality of the pointing to see whether driving or penetrating rain is the cause. If so it would be pertinent to either re-point the property to prevent this or install a external cavity drain membrane such as Newton 805 Newlath to the exterior of the property. Such an approach negates the need for repointing and the membrane creates a 5mm air gap against the offending wall allowing any residual moisture within the wall to breathe out not push the moisture in as with a brick sealing paint or cementitious slurry.
The advantage of this approach is that when the membranes is installed it acts as a barrier and isolates the existing wall so no moisture can get through to soak the brickwork.
This damp repair technique is also suitable to be applied internally to walls to deal with a failed damp proof course or floor damp issues.
Call 020 7237 1217 for a list of damp repair companies in your area, free of charge
