We have been appointed to check a one bedroom rented flat for moisture problems.

Survey steps:

• we firstly checked/scanned internally for cold spot areas, blue is wet in this case.

We then checked for external problems

Result: along missing trickle vents this property had a gutter issue that provoked penetrating damp.

What does a carbide test do?

• when damp meters go crazy and show 999% wet we should instantly think salts or nitrates, why? because of salts or nitrates (normally salt and nitrates absorbs moisture from the air)
• so if meters show 999% we than think SAMPLE we remove a sample for further testing.

Once we establish that salts are present we double check with a fluorescent lamp.

• now its time for a carbide test, we smash the sample, insert it in the main chamber and add carbide to it to see moisture levels.

Once the test was over and added the speedy test conversion we found that the actual moisture level was 14.9% which is safe to work on with most materials.

The client has contacted us to check why his hallway walls are wet.

• first checks visually driveway was subsiding
• internally walls were wet 40-60cm above ground
• we scanned walls dark blue is wet
• we have listened to mains and loud leak present, unfortunately client didn’t have a meter to check how much water they waste, we have marked the loudest area for the client to dig up.

• we found a cold spot in the garage where leak was loud.

Client to break concrete and fix the leak. We have sent a report to the client with remedial actions to be taken by him or his builder.

The client contacted us to check on a floor that had high damp readings done by the floor guy.

Arrived at the property and the client pointed us to the main issue which always helps.

The survey steps:

• we scanned walls and ceilings internally using flir thermal camera, main damp room corner wet (dark blue).

• we then checked the cold spot’s moisture level of this area and proved 58% wet.
• we recorded air moisture levels (55% on average dehumidifiers working)
• we scanned the floor, mainly perimeter of it is wet 99.9% (darker bule).

• we checked if there are any mains leaks, none active
• we asked if drains have been checked lately, they have had a cctv survey and no leaks
• we then scanned external walls, damp front and side walls (darker blue)

• we took lots of photos of roof and gutters, roof was ok but gutters needed work
• gutter overflowing

• gutter downpipe blocked

• so all the rain water on one side of the house was discharging on the floor next to the external walls, hence why walls and floor was damp.
• next we removed a sample of the floor screed that seemed dryish but moisture meters showed 99,9% wet
• we tested sample for salts (under fluorescent lamp blue dots are salts)

• we then tested sample for salts using a salts detector, salts present 62%
• carbide test proved that the actual moisture content was 14.9% and not 99.9% due to salts.

We have sent a report with all issues and work to be undertaken by owner or his builder and best materials to be used.