Latest News
A Brand New Waterproof Basement for this New Care Home for the Elderly
December 2010
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Our technicians prepare the basement floor slab for waterproofing |
Our basement waterproofing team have completed waterproofing of a huge basement at a Care Home, overlooking the medieval town of Richmond, North Yorkshire.
The building has a 1500m2 basement and the sloping site required a contiguous piled wall, providing foundation support and retaining a high bank. The builders required an effective and guaranteed waterproofing method. The Safeguard Europe solution was agreed, using Type A & Type C waterproofing, in accordance with BS8102.
First, the 1500M2 basement floor slab was prepared by enclosed shot blasting. This was essential because ‘Vandex Super’ was chosen.
This Swiss made material grows into the concrete, blocking the tiny pores in the material and sealing it against water; ‘In depth’ waterproofing is the end result, much better than merely a surface coating, which may be prone to damaged.
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Qualified Technician, Darren Roberts. At work mixing Vandex Super. |
Even better, the Vandex ingredients stay active after application, being able to re-animate and grow into small cracks and fissures if these occur later.
This self-repairing waterproofing is unique and a remarkable feature of Vandex Super.
Our trained technicians completed this element in just a week long process. The type C part of the work involved supply and installation of 600M2 of Oldroyd XV clear.
This cavity drain membrane was carefully linked into Horsham based Safeguard’s Aqua Drain system. Any water entering the basement is managed through these aqua drains and diverted to waste. With careful planning, we were able to avoid the use of pumping stations on this project.
By using a combination of waterproofing techniques and matching the best materials to each, we succeeded in delivering the finished project; a dry basement, guaranteed with insurance from the Guarantee Protection Insurance Company.
The waterproofing is hidden behind internal blockwork walls, insulation and floor finishes. The client is relying on it doing its job; keeping the basement dry. To achieve this level of quality, on a busy building site, with many different tradesmen working and walking to and fro, is a skill in itself.
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Over 400M of Oldroyd XV clear waterproofing membrane was applied to the basement walls |
As Bryan Hindle CSSW explains “On new build and refurbishment waterproofing, you have to be aware of the tradesman following you; they can’t be expected to know ‘the do’s and don’ts’ of waterproofing work. To avoid trouble later, effective communication, with a helpful approach is essential.
We held the other contractors hands all the way along, until they had moved beyond any work which could accidently harm our customer’s waterproofing system”.
Bryan is delighted with the feedback from Richmond, via main contractors Frank Haslem Milan, who appreciated this attention to detail “we really appreciated Brick-Tie Preservation’s professionalism; they moved things on really quickly…” says FHM’s Paul Novel.
We have a short case study video on our You Tube channel, which shows this project, from start to finish – have a look
And the Beat Goes On...
October 2010
Early this year Leeds University music faculty students noticed something other than music in the air. That was the whiff of mould and damp, permeating a rehearsal room and store in the basement "Not very conducive to relaxed practise" says University building surveyor, Ed Batty.
We were called in to help and after some investigations a breach in the basement floor slab waterproofing was found.
This was mid-term, so arrangements were made to return and solve the problem during the summer break. Whilst the students were missing, main contractors Wilmot Dixon Sustain & Brick-Tie Preservation moved in.
Bryan's waterproofing expertise was essential in designing a solution, which solved the localised problem, without the potential for forcing water elsewhere, to other, apparently dry parts of the basement.
As Bryan explains "A combination of improved drainage, and Safeguard's Vandex Super, overlaid with Oldroyd XV membrane was used. our technicians carried out dust free diamond scouring of the existing and new concrete slab, before applying the Vandex, which is a proven material we've used many times".
The work was a complete success, leaving the rooms ready for re-occupation within weeks.
Vandex super is a capillary active cementitious product, reacting with free lime in concrete to form a completely waterproof surface, in depth. The material remains active after application, sealing small cracks and pores, even when new water ingress points arise.
The Oldroyd XV membrane was specified to allow immediate re-occupation of the rooms – adjacent floors were sealed with Safeguard ECS epoxy coating - new timber finishes and carpets were installed within days of the extensive works.
Eiffel Buildings, Hebden Bridge - A waterproofing challenge....
October 2010
Back in 1510, Hebden Bridge was merely a river crossing for pack horses laden with cloth, salt and food. Initially a wooden bridge, then a stone one and eventually the robust bridge seen now was built in 1510. Hebden's name comes from ‘hep dene’ or ‘rose valley’. The valley sides are steep, but as a centre for roads and canal, the town grew prosperous as spinning and weaving took off in big way, with water power available in abundance. By the late 1800's the town underwent a population boom; almost all of today's central Hebden Bridge appeared then.
The steep valley sides required some ingenuity, to accommodate all the new workers, which included the peculiar and distinctive "top and bottom houses". These are an architectural curiosity almost unique to Hebden. They look very grand; towering high and superbly constructed from local stone.
The front entrance to the lower terrace leads to the bottom of two houses, which occupies the lower two floors. The high floors and the attic are another separate house, with another entrance on the up-hill side of each terrace (see above). The ground slopes up to the rear, allowing ground floor access, often a full 6 metres higher than the lower living space.
On occasion, ground water can eventually seep into the lower of the dwellings - this had been a problem at Eiffle Building for years and despite previous attempts to stop it, water came in quite often - particularly after heavy rain. Our client bought the house and then that's where Brick-Tie Preservation's part in the tale starts...
After a careful investigation and in competition with other specialists, we specified a combination of waterproofing methods, designed to dry the basement, permanently and as quickly as possible, so our client could move into his new home on the valley side.
For reliability, speed and warmth too, an Oldroyd type C (BS8102 nomenclature), cavity drain system was chosen for the bulk of the walls. However, the flow rate of the water was also reduced and separate 'stepped' floor levels were tackled using a type A cementitious system. The products used to successfully achieve a dry basement included: Oldroyd XV, XP and Safeguard Aquadrain. The type C works included Vandex Unimortar 1 and Vandex BB75.
The work was completed with a DryZone chemical DPC to the none ground bearing walls and an insulated dry-lining system completed the finish.
Our client was pleased and here is his testimonial as it appeared on Google...
'i like brick-tie??' - by earthoddity - 4 Sep 2010
Brick-Tie came all the way from Leeds to damp-proof my new house in Hebden Bridge and they did a first-rate job. Bryan, the owner/managing director, is a splendid bloke - knowledgeable, straightforward, enthusiastic, reliable - and his crew are professional and accomplished and they left me with a set of beautifully finished plaster-skimmed walls and, most importantly, a dry ground floor. My house required pretty big, expensive work and I was a bit anxious about exactly what sort of work was needed, since I am a laymen in matters of water penetration, but what I got from Brick-Tie was peace of mind and a high-quality job.?
Thank you...
The Prodigal Son Returns to Brick-Tie Preservation
September 2010
A big welcome this month to David Gill, who as joined our team. David is a very experience damp-proofing and building contractor, who worked for us over fifteen years ago, before setting out on his own to run his building and roofing business.
Now, David has returned to the Brick-Tie Preservation fold, bringing us his experience in construction refurbishment, project management and roofing knowledge. Plus his wry sense of humour...
The appointment fits well into our plans to grow the building maintenance and restoration department. David is a qualified remedial technician too, so he already has a thorough knowledge of our remedial treatment, damp-proofing and waterproofing techniques. He's well regarded in and around Leeds for his knowledge and skill. Now we can confidently offer a wider scope of work, to include more basement conversions, re-building and roofing work too. The service we can offer for Yorkshire clients will get even better with David on the team.
This move is particularly useful for our property management clients, who often need a broader service, so that damp or other remedial problems can be tackled without the need for separate contractors; to prepare and make good property around us.
NVQ Level 4 in Management, for Bryan and Katrina
September 2010
After six months intensive study, both Kat and Bryan have achieved their NVQ. The qualification is awarded by the Institute of Leadership and Management and comes after the two completed a Performance plus workshop series organised by Esteem.
Whilst Damp proofing, waterproofing and structural repairs are our business, managing our staff is a specialisation in itself. Our office manager; Katrina relished the challenge and was one of the most enthusiastic and capable students on the course. "I've some knowledge of management and took Brick-Tie through the Investors In People accreditation a few years ago, but this NVQ ticked all the boxes for me and has really helped me gain more knowledge and confidence".
Despite running Brick-Tie Preservation for 24 years Bryan has no formal management training. "Up to now, all my training has been either technical or market oriantated, so the Performance Plus program was a real eye opener. It confirmed that many of my instinctive management practices are sound....though it also showed up some weaknesses, which I'm addressing now, it was fun too".
Our thanks go to The Federation of Master Builders, who funded the program and especially to Esteem, for producing a perfectly balanced program for business and management improvement, with a personable approach which brought out the best from all who took part.
We are already feeling the benefits of the program and aim to take our business forward using the Performance Plus method as a foundation.
Moving on, we have staff booked on courses for Green Roof installation, Vandex cementitious waterproofing, safety supervision, flood remediation, mould sterilisation Type C membrane installation, Fosroc's Proofex membrane range and more.
Bryan is chuffed...."I love teaching and being taught too, I know it gives me a great sense of worth and achievement. I want my people to feel the same, that way, we all move forward together".
Bryan spends time with Safeguard's team and comes home buzzing....
July 2010
We've been incredibly busy this summer, but Bryan found time to accept an invitation to visit Safeguard's UK Headquarters in Horsham. For those who don't know, Safeguard are our principle supplier of Damp-proofing, timber treatment, concrete waterproofing and basement waterproofing products.
Unlike some remedial suppliers, Safeguard don't just distribute products made by others - they actually research, test and manufacture on site, so Bryan was dying to get behind the scenes and see how.
Inside this building are racks and shelves of Vandex waterproofing products, Dry Zone dpc cream, soluguard micro-emulsions and borate based preservatives. They're impressive, but not surprising. The real shock came when safeguard's chief boffin Dr Eric Rirsch, revealed the testing bays and laboratory.
First Surprise: Rows and rows of brick walls, built on-site, in trays of salty water!
Second shock: Brick piers; built on paving flags, some rendered, some naked brick. All have a central column of sharp sand, soaked with a standard saline mix. Eric enthused about the work going on here, and couldn't help taking notes and checking results as he went around the place.
The piers and walls are not just for show. Eric has constructed them from a diverse selection of mortar mixes, designed to emulate ‘traditional’ and 'old' house walls.
Lime based mortars are used. The saline solution matches an accepted national control mix, which allows measurements of salt build-up, and damp absorption in the structures, to be recorded. Water rises up through the minute capillaries in brick and bed-joint material, just like it does in houses. Once the rising damp is active and demonstrably happening, Eric and his team start to try and stop it.
The team are dedicated and relentless. they check capillary and hygroscopic water content. Chemical analysis, bespoke high end software and electron microscopes are is used to check the effectiveness of Safeguard’s rising damp treatments. Even time-lapse photography is employed to monitor visual changes, because as Eric says "Customers are not that interested in the science, they just want a dry wall, free from stains". Quite so, It's no use telling a housewife in Leeds that her damp course is working; according to a moisture meter, if her wall is visible stained.
Moving on, to the Lab. This is where all the testing needed to design and produce effective remedial treatments is done.
All labs have microscopes, scales, ovens, enclosed reactors, and rigs of the type installed here. The surprise is the scale of it. Hundreds of samples are tested; water repellents, timber treatments, waterproofing slurries, an endless list.
Bryan's guide explained why so many are needed; it's not only a case of getting something to perform on site. The products must be stable in storage and transit - safe to use - not too complicated to manufacture - ingredients must be readily available and safe - and then...it has to work...... and be available at a sensible price. Safeguard’s Managing Director is Hudson Lambert; sharp suited young chap (Bryan; oldie with his shirt tail out). His enthusiasm is remarkable, so that's where he and Bryan hit it off.
Hudson is immensely proud of his team's efforts in Horsham. He spent two days going over all his products and demonstrating how Safeguard are striving to improve all of the time.
Presentations ranged from DryZone damp-proofing cream to StormDry water repellent cream, flood remediation and protection, Oldroyd type C waterproofing membranes and proven Vandex cementitious Type A waterproofing products.
Safeguard people love what they do, that's what really binds our business relationship. Their passion for preservation stands out a mile.
Bryan came back bursting with new ideas and applications for Safeguard's latest range. We've already being able to help customers with solutions for: penetrating damp; problems with damp floor/wall junctions; even waterproofing a 1500m2 concrete floor slab on a prestigious new care home.
This trip demonstrates how even the most experienced specialists in the preservation industry need to go out and look for improvements; they are always there.
Our thanks go to Safeguard Europe, in particular Hudson Lambert, Eric Rirsch and Robert Deary.
Level 4 for 2!
May 2010
We are always learning more about preservation and waterproofing - but, there's more to running our business than just knowing Wet Rot from Dry Rot - or Rising Damp, from Condensation.
MD Bryan Hindle and Manager Katrina Jackson are working towards an NVQ level 4 in Business Management - a world away from damp-proofing and Wall Tie Replacement. However, looking after our customers means we need to be well organised and efficient at all levels, not just on site.
Collating information, planning, customer service and administration is key and this is just the sort of thing the Business Management NVQ focuses on.
Bryan thinks this is good for business. "Katrina already does a fine job in the office and customers regularly comment on how helpful our office staff are, but there's always room for improvemen through training".
The Federation of Master Builders has been key to arranging this useful course, held at the FMB's offices in Leeds. Bryan Hindle is a big fan. "Whilst many small tradesmen see FMB membership as a way of getting recognition for their established status, there is real depth to the FMB's range of additional services, which in our opinion are well worth the membership subscription. You'd be surprised how many larger companies value FMB membership too. Brick-Tie Preservation have been members of the FMB for over 23 years"!
A Flood of Information About - Flood Remediation
April 2010
Bryan attended a Continuing Professional Development meeting, organised by the Institute of Specialist Surveyors and Engineers last Thursday night. The subject was 'Flood remediation'. Or in plain English 'how to dry out and then repair buildings damaged by flooding'. The presentation was done by Steve Hodgson, who is the general manager of the Property Care Association.
Steve gave a well informed and detailed lesson to the audience of ISSE members and prospective members. The talk was excellent and Steve answered questions and brought everyone up to date on the latest and best methods of dealing with the growing flood problem.
Bryan was particularly impressed with the section on latent defects, such as rising damp and Dry Rot, which are often overlooked in the hurry to repair flood damaged houses and which can reappear later, sometimes being mistakenly diagnosed as 'secondary' flooding.
The Institute is an excellent organisation in which to learn and develop. More of these CPD sessions are planned around the country.
One other nice benefit was a chance for Bryan to meet up with Peter Moon. Peter was in the same timber infestation surveyor’s class as Bryan at High Wycombe in 1981. He operates a respected and successful specialist firm and despite operating in Yorkshire the two of them had not met each other for nearly 30 years. The sad pair talked about damp and timber problems.......there's no hope for either of them.
Attending these CPD ‘top up’ sessions is an essential part of our strategy to maintain best practice in floor remediation and damp treatments.
Property Care Association Awards winner 2010!
March 2010
It was all smiles for Brick-Tie Preservation at the PCA awards as we received the ‘Highly Commended’ award for training.
When handing over the award, PCA general Manager, Steve Hodgson said “Bryan Hindle’s immense enthusiasm for training; both for himself and his team is remarkable and is to be applauded”.
“The PCA awards include categories for training, sustainability and innovation. Our award comes as a result of our well established commitment to ensure that everyone in our company has the best opportunities to learn new skills and improve themselves. This in turn brings real benefits for our customers”, beamed Bryan – clutching his award in one hand and a bottle of free bubbly in the other.
Bryan has put the vintage champagne on one side and it will be given away free to one lucky winner of our coffee time challenge in the 2010 newsletter. This third edition of ‘Insight’ will be available for download in a week or so, so please do subscribe to our newsletter for a chance to win a bottle of fine vintage Champagne. Two previous editions, which highlight the skills we have and are full of great feedback from our clients, can be viewed here.
Form an orderly NVQ
Five of Brick-Tie’s staff have recently achieved NVQ level 2 in Wall Tie Replacement. The qualification has been available for a few years but until now, there was no training provider willing to take on the assessment work required to achieve the qualification.
Our technicians are amongst the first in the country to achieve independent recognition of their wall tie replacement expertise. Well done Stuart, Darren, Ryan, Craig and Bryan.
Brick-Tie have been specialising in wall tie replacement for over 24 year years, with Stuart Lattimer and Bryan being in the business from the start.
As Stuart Lattimer explains, “Replacing wall ties isn’t rocket science, but the completed work is hidden from view and customers depend on us to do the work properly, because they cannot check it for themselves, – it’s a big responsibility”.
MD Bryan Hindle recently signed The Skills Pledge, which is a government sponsored initiative to get more businesses to put training and staff achievement at the top of the agenda. “Signing up, really is a no brainer” explains Bryan, “Brick-Tie Preservation are only as good as those we employ – improve them, improve everything. Customers want to deal with well motivated, happy and committed people. Clearly if we want to keep the best people for as long as they want to stay with us, we have to invest in them. We do, and as a result, our staff turnover is incredibly low”.
Our thanks go to: Construction Skills, City & Guilds institute, The Wall Tie Installers Federation, T-Centrix and our training manager; Katrina Jackson for all the hard work they’ve done to bring this NVQ into being.
Under Pressure...
Vapour Pressure that is... Surveyor Jeff Holdsworth and MD Bryan Hindle spent a day at PCA headquarters this week, along with other keen students of the dark art of condensation.
Industry expert Graham Colman was on hand to pass on his expertise to delegates, wishing to brush up on the finer points of dampness in buildings, particularly condensation.
With over sixty years experience between them, you’d think Bryan and Jeff had heard it all before, but no, lots of new things were discussed and learnt.
As Jeff said “Getting a few experienced specialists together, in one room, with someone of Graham’s calibre there, is always going to bring surprises - and everyone will learn something”
The day was supported by BT Preservation because we value training above all else.
Bryan was pleased with the day and spent the rest of the week boring everyone in the office with usual enthusiasm; “No company gets anywhere by standing still - even we don’t know everything and that’s with decades of surveying behind us” enthused Bryan “We owe it to our customers to keep abreast of things, that’s what they expect”.
The latest techniques for damp diagnosis, remote humidity monitoring, data analysis and testing techniques were dealt with on the day.
Improvements have already been incorporated into our damp survey package, bringing even more benefits to BT Preservation clients.
Kat Runs a Blinder….
Office administrator, Katrina Jackson joined over 2450 other girls to run the ‘Race for Life’ at the Knavemire, York race course last Sunday.
It was a hot day for running, but Kat raised £200 for Cancer Research, completing her run in 30 minutes. Cancer research UK say that the York event should raise about £134,000 by the time all the sponsorship monies are collected.
It’s not only about the money though. Kat says that it was a real party atmosphere with many women and girls in fancy dress too. "When the run was over, you could see that everyone thought we’d really achieved something, not only for the charity, but for ourselves too"
Cancer Research UK provides cutting edge research into the treatment of cancer and is close to Katrina’s heart, as, like many of use, she has relatives and friend who have had to battle this disease.
13 Years with the Business and Still Going to School!
Technician Darren Roberts has been with us for thirteen years. This week he spent a day sharpening his skills with Safeguard Europe, distributors of Vandex waterproofing products. Of course we’ve used Vandex for many years; successfully tanking and waterproofing concrete.
In our business, learning never stops, so Darren leapt at the chance to brush-up on all things Vandex. BB75 standard and elastromeric grade was used, along with Uni-mortar 1 and flexi-tape.
The Vandex range of cementitious materials is a proven winner, offering basement waterproofing to grade 4 (BS8102), and is suitable for waterproofing retaining walls, reservoirs, lift pits, and much more.
Darren and our other technicians are backed by Bryan’s CSSW (Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) knowledge, so clients know specification and application is to the highest standards.
Latest News
- Waterproof Basement for Care Home
- And the Beat Goes On...
- The Eifell Buildings - A waterproofing challenge
- Return of the Prodigal Son
- Bryan and Kat achive NVQ Level 4!
- Bryan visits Safeguard
- Level 4 for 2!
- Flood Remediation
- PCA Awards Winner 2010!
- Form and Orderly NVQ
- Under Pressure
- Kat Runs a Blinder
- Still Going to School