Real projects, with the cause we found and the work we carried out: published here as jobs are documented and customers are happy for us to share them.
Case study · Harrogate
Two homes, one party wall
Rising damp affecting both sides of a shared party wall, Nos. 28 & 30, Harrogate. Customers: Glynn & Vanja. Service: damp investigation & remedial damp proofing.
This was an unusual job because DAMPCORE wasn't investigating a damp problem affecting just one property. We were asked to inspect two neighbouring homes in Harrogate, Vanja at No. 30 and Glynn at No. 28, where deterioration was occurring in corresponding positions on either side of the same party wall. The similarity between the two properties was immediately significant.
The problem
Both homeowners were experiencing deterioration to the lower section of the shared masonry wall. The manifestation was broadly mirrored between the properties, including moisture-related deterioration at low level and damage to internal finishes. Rather than treating the two houses as unrelated damp problems, the investigation considered the party wall as one continuous piece of building fabric.
Investigation
Moisture readings and visual observations were taken from both properties so the distribution of moisture could be compared. The fact that similar symptoms were occurring at corresponding locations on both faces of the same masonry wall helped establish a much clearer picture of what was happening within the wall.
Diagnosis
The inspection findings were consistent with rising moisture affecting the shared masonry, rather than two independent surface-level problems. Before recommending remedial treatment, other potential moisture sources were considered, including plumbing leakage, penetrating moisture and localised condensation. The distribution and characteristics of the moisture, together with the construction and corresponding symptoms on both sides of the party wall, supported the diagnosis of rising damp.
A party wall doesn't stop behaving as a single masonry structure simply because ownership changes at the boundary. Because access was available from both No. 28 and No. 30, we were able to approach the remedial works comprehensively rather than treating one decorated face while leaving corresponding affected material untreated next door.
Remedial strategy
DAMPCORE carried out damp-proofing works from both sides of the shared party wall. Affected wall finishes were dealt with as required to expose the appropriate treatment zone and allow the masonry to be properly addressed. The remedial specification incorporated the appropriate damp-proofing measures and reinstatement strategy for the wall construction and site conditions. Particular attention was paid to the treatment zone and subsequent finishes, because salts transported through damp masonry can remain hygroscopic after the original source of moisture has been controlled: simply allowing contaminated finishes to remain can compromise the appearance of an otherwise successful damp-proofing intervention.
Result
Working with both homeowners allowed the underlying problem to be approached as one building pathology issue rather than two unrelated decorating problems. The affected party wall was treated from both properties and the appropriate reinstatement works carried out. Most importantly, both neighbours understood what had caused the deterioration and why the treatment needed to address the shared wall comprehensively. Two properties, one shared wall, one coordinated solution, and two happy customers: Vanja at No. 30 and Glynn at No. 28.
Technical insight
Identify · Protect · Preserve. Correct diagnosis comes before treatment.
Case study · Headingley, Leeds
The "rising damp" that wasn't rising damp
Recurring damp to a rear reception-room wall, Victorian terrace, Headingley, Leeds. Service: damp survey / penetrating damp investigation.
The problem
The homeowner had been advised that staining and deteriorating plaster at low level were likely to be rising damp. The affected area was concentrated around the rear external wall and became noticeably worse following prolonged rainfall. That timing was important.
Investigation
Rather than relying on an isolated moisture-meter reading, the inspection considered the moisture profile across the wall and the corresponding external elevation. Internally there was deterioration to plaster at low level, local salt contamination, elevated comparative moisture readings and peeling decorative finishes. Externally, the inspection identified deteriorated mortar joints and a defective rainwater connection close to the affected area, and the external ground arrangement was also reviewed.
Diagnosis
The pattern wasn't consistent enough to justify specifying a new damp-proof course. The relationship between rainfall, external defects and the location of the internal deterioration instead indicated penetrating moisture associated with defects to the external envelope: injecting a chemical DPC would not have rectified rainwater entering through defective masonry.
Remedial strategy
The remediation prioritised the source: repair the rainwater defect, address the defective pointing, allow the masonry to dry, then review the contaminated internal finishes and redecorate only once sufficiently dry.
Result
The rainwater defect and pointing were repaired, the wall was left to dry out, and the affected finishes were redecorated once moisture levels had returned to normal for the wall's construction. No further deterioration has been reported since.
Technical insight
Electronic moisture meters are valuable diagnostic tools, but a high reading is not itself a diagnosis of rising damp. Readings need to be interpreted alongside moisture distribution, wall construction, salts, external defects, ground levels and the history of the problem: that's the difference between detecting moisture and diagnosing why it's there.
Case study · York
Recurring bedroom mould caused by surface condensation
Black mould repeatedly returning to an external bedroom corner, 1930s semi-detached house, York. Service: condensation & mould investigation.
The problem
The occupants had repeatedly cleaned and redecorated an external corner of a first-floor bedroom. Within months, black mould returned. The worst growth occurred behind furniture and around the junction between the external wall and ceiling. There was no obvious plumbing leak, and the problem became significantly worse during colder weather.
Investigation
The investigation considered ambient temperature and relative humidity, surface temperatures, ventilation provision, extraction, heating patterns, furniture position, external wall construction and evidence of penetrating moisture. The key finding was a cold surface combined with elevated internal humidity and restricted air circulation: when the surface temperature fell sufficiently relative to the moisture content of the internal air, the surface approached or passed its dew point and moisture condensed onto it. That persistent surface moisture provided the environment in which mould developed.
Diagnosis
Surface condensation associated with elevated humidity and a localised cold area, compounded by poor airflow behind furniture. No evidence supported specifying rising-damp treatment.
Remedial strategy
Rather than simply cleaning the mould, applying anti-mould paint and hoping, the strategy addressed the environmental cause: improving effective ventilation, managing internal moisture production, establishing more consistent heating where practical, improving airflow around the affected surface, and remediating the existing mould contamination.
Result
With ventilation, heating and airflow addressed, the corner has stayed clear of mould since treatment, and the occupants no longer need to repeatedly clean and redecorate it.
Technical insight
Mould treatment removes existing contamination. It doesn't on its own change the temperature/humidity relationship that allowed the mould to develop, and unless that relationship changes, recurrence remains possible.
Case study · Harrogate
Water ingress into a below-ground cellar
Water entering a cellar following prolonged rainfall, period stone townhouse, Harrogate. Service: basement waterproofing.
The problem
The homeowner had lived with a generally damp cellar for several years, but following periods of heavy rainfall, visible water began entering at the wall/floor junction. Paint coatings previously applied to the masonry had blistered and detached, and efflorescent salts were visible across sections of the wall.
Investigation
Below-ground structures behave differently from walls above ground: because the cellar walls retain surrounding ground, moisture can act against the structure laterally. The investigation considered external ground levels, masonry construction, wall/floor junctions, evidence of previous waterproofing, drainage, water-entry points and the intended future use of the cellar. The question wasn't simply how to stop the wall looking damp, but how the water affecting the below-ground structure should be managed.
Diagnosis
Groundwater ingress affecting the below-ground structure, becoming particularly evident during periods of increased hydrostatic loading following sustained rainfall. Surface decoration was never going to resolve that.
Remedial strategy
A Type C drained cavity waterproofing system was specified. Rather than relying solely on an impermeable barrier against the structure, the system manages water entering behind an internal cavity-drain membrane, directing it towards controlled drainage and a sump and pump arrangement. Critical detailing included the wall/floor junctions, membrane joints, service penetrations, drainage channels, maintainability and provision for pump redundancy and alarms.
Result
Once correctly waterproofed and finished, the previously vulnerable below-ground area became a usable part of the property, dry even after heavy rainfall.
Technical insight
Basement waterproofing is a system, not simply a waterproof coating.
More case studies will be added here as further jobs are documented and customers are happy for us to share them. We don't invent project details, customer names or addresses.
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