Penetrating Damp in a Solid Wall Property in Lancashire

Lancashire, a county steeped in history and rural charm, is home to a wide variety of heritage properties built with a solid wall construction. These older homes often lack the modern protective measures seen in newer builds and are therefore more vulnerable to moisture ingress and thermal inefficiency.

This was the case for a long-standing Peter Cox client undertaking a full renovation of their solid walled property. As part of their refurbishment plans, the property developer instructed Peter Cox to assess and treat the property for any damp related issues as well as ensure it was watertight and thermally protected for years to come.

A qualified Peter Cox surveyor visited the property to carry out a detailed damp survey, this started with an external inspection of the building’s envelope, focusing on areas such as its chimney stacks, brickwork, pointing and any high ground levels.

Several defects on the property were noted:

• Perished or missing mortar joint pointing
• Erosion by weathering of the brick facings
• Deterioration of the chimney stack

These types of defects are common in older solid wall buildings and can lead to the building fabric becoming porous and prone to rainwater penetration. They often occur due to lack of regular maintenance.

The moisture ingress had already begun to cause:

• Damage to internal decorative finishes
• A reduction in thermal performance
• A long-term risk to the building’s structural integrity through potential wet rot or dry rot outbreaks

To stop moisture at the source, the client responded swiftly. Scaffolding was erected around the full perimeter of the building, allowing their local builder to:

• Rake out then repoint defective mortar joints
• Complete essential repairs to the chimney stacks

These client-led repair works laid the essential groundwork for the next stage of treatment.

Once the structural repairs had been completed, Peter Cox returned to the site to apply a masonry protection cream to all external walls.

The product is a silane-siloxane-based cream specifically developed for solid wall construction. It works by:

• Preventing lateral water penetration through masonry
• Protecting newly repointed mortar from weathering
• Improving thermal efficiency by keeping the walls dry and therefore reducing heat loss

The cream was applied directly onto the brickwork and allowed to soak in before curing. Once cured, it formed a long-lasting, breathable, and invisible barrier that does not alter the appearance of the building.

Thanks to the collaboration between the client’s building team and Peter Cox’s specialist technicians, the property was left:

• Watertight
• Protected against future weathering and erosion
• More energy efficient

The application of the masonry protection cream has helped ensure that the building is not only more resilient to the elements but also more cost-effective to heat and maintain over time.

The surveyor who carried out the damp survey said: “This was an excellent example of collaborative work between the property owner and Peter Cox. By addressing structural repairs first and then sealing with a proactive masonry cream, we’ve not only stopped damp ingress but also delivered long-term energy savings and masonry protection.”

This project serves as a clear example of how solid wall properties can be successfully restored and protected using a combination of expert surveying to uncover potential issues, and then provide specialist treatments. By tackling the external defects and applying masonry protection cream, the property owner safeguarded their investment from further damp-related issues and achieved meaningful energy performance improvements.

With its original appearance preserved and long-term resilience restored, this Lancashire home now stands ready to face the future, protected and prepared for all seasons.