Electo-Osmotic damp proof course at Acres Mill

Case Study
Specialised Electro-Osmotic Damp Proof Course
for new Outpatient Centre
Project
Client
Electro-Osmotic Damp Proofing,
Woodworm & Wet Rot Treatment
Huddersfield
Royal Infirmary
Historic restoration
with modern methods
Peter Cox has been contracted to
treat woodworm and fungal decay on
a major refurbishment project in
Huddersfield. Acre Mill is a listed wire
mill which adjoins Huddersfield Royal
Infirmary, and will eventually become
a new outpatient centre.
Peter Cox Yorkshire office is responsible
for the project. Branch Manager Gary
Laird said: “Acre Mill was once regarded
by locals as the biggest mill in the world
as it went three-quarters of the way
around the “Globe” – the name of the
local pub, now known as The
Nightingale. The contractors are keen to
preserve as much of what is left of the
original structure as possible and with
our considerable experience working
with historical buildings, we were the
obvious choice.
This contract also proved to be the perfect environment for us
to use Elektro +, our special electro-osmotic damp proofing
system, which we have developed for heritage buildings.
ELEKTR
Woodworm in the rafters
Perfect for Heritage
Buildings
Gary Laird said: “When dealing with
rising damp in thick stone and brick
masonry, and especially rubblefilled walls, Peter Cox advise using
a remedial damp proof course using
our Elektro+ Osmotic System,
which is particulary ideal for
historical buildings.”
Upon investigation of the rafters, the Peter Cox team found woodworm infestation and fungal
decay. Some of the rafters were also damaged and split and the ridge was completely missing in
places and provided no structural support. There was also further decay by Wet Rot to some of
the rafter feet, wall plates to the front elevation and to several trusses.
Wet Rot is caused by a number of Basidiomycetes fungi and attacks both
softwood and hardwood. It usually occurs in persistently damp conditions
and has been known to hollow out giant beams and is responsible for much
of the wood decay within buildings.
In addition, the Peter Cox team also found evidence of infestation by the
Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum) to all trusses.
This wood-boring insect is responsible for about 75% of all woodworm damage in
this country and will attack softwood and hardwood.
common
furniture
beetle
In order to repair the problems, Peter Cox removed and replaced the timbers and all surfaces
and then contact masonry was capped in a damp proof membrane.
A stainless steel threaded bar was inserted from the top of the principle rafter into the two
supporting blocks underneath and resin bonded to the timbers. A new wall plate was machined
and fitted and all surfaces that contact masonry were capped in an appropriate damp proof
membrane.
New rafters were fitted from the first purlin to bear onto the new wall plate and new purlin were
formed from specialist timbers. The purlin was installed and the splice section of truss resin
bonded back into place.
All other timbers had high moisture content and also showed evidence of the common furniture
beetle and so the team treated the bearing ends with a Deep Kill Timber Gel to prolong their life.
We also injected Deep Kill Timber Gel into the bearing ends and fitted a plastic cap to
prevent leakage.
On the maisonette level, the team treated decay from Wet Rot by removing floor boarding,
tongue and groove boarding and decayed stonework. A new beam end was formed from
structural grade Douglas Fir and all surfaces came into contact with masonry were capped in a
damp proof membrane.
Freephone 0800 789 500
www.petercox.com
In the 18th century, a physicist named
Reuss found that water moved from a
positive to a negative cathode when
an electrical current was applied.
Today the science has moved on
considerably and by introducing a
very small positive electrical charge on
the wall it repels the rising damp
moisture molecules down the walls
and back into the ground.
It is perfect for heritage buildings as it
causes minimum disturbance and is
‘reversible’, making it acceptable to
leading conservation and heritage
organisations. No liquid chemicals are
used so the wall is quicker to dry out
and it does not cause problems on
party walls. It is chemical free and
immediately effective and can even be
fitted with a monitoring system for
additional reassurance.
Gary adds: “This completed
development will provide a new
56,000 sq. ft. centralised outpatient
centre, expected to serve over
200,000 outpatient appointments
every year. It is due to be operational
by mid-2014 and Peter Cox is
delighted to have played a part in
securing the future of this old building
for future generations.”
Peter Cox Ltd
Aniseed Park, Broadway Business Park
Chadderton, Manchester, OL9 9XA
Email: [email protected]