Robur Building & Restoration LTD

Damp cavities can cause a whole host of problems not only increasing mould formation inside but also from rusting wall ties and increased energy costs to heat your home.

Here is some cavity readings from a late 1940s property in Bournemouth from today.
Air temp - 13.3 degrees
Relative humidity - 90.1%
Dew point - 11.6

The issue is caused by the plastic paint and debris at the bottoms of the cavity, as well as poorly retrofitted cavity wall insulation and the concrete driveway/side path abutting the building with no where for water to freely evaporate.

If you have any problems with dampness and mould in your house regardless of its age, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me on 07421996581 - Harry

Rusting can cause serious damage to your house.
Whether it’s an old rusting lintel or cast iron bolts for your down pipe.

If you have any cracks in your render or brickwork, it will be worth investigating, because it’s indicative of further problems underneath.

Rust can take up to six times the volume of the original material. This increase in volume can damage the surrounding materials such as mortar joints and concrete

If you have any questions or would like to send photos, please get in touch on 07421996581 or email [email protected]

Harry

Damp proofers ruining houses in Marlborough.

Damp proof injections are a con. And this is what happens down the line, due to trapping moisture, I can also presume they have tanked the walls inside exacerbating the problem.

The last two pictures show two houses side by side, and you’ll be able to see which one has had the damp proof injections.

At Robur we offering sympathetic and traditional approaches to solve dampness problems, without the use of chemicals and snake oils.

Get in touch with us on 07421996581 for a free survey.

Here is an on going project for a customer in Boscombe to elevate damp issues.

We take a traditional approach to damp problems, staying clear of the modern remedies that only act as a plaster to the situation.

In this clients case the issues were caused by a combination of condensations as the wet rubble and insulation filled cavities acted as a cold bridge, thus making parts of the internal wall cold which was attracting the condensation, and partly penetrative dampness coming in through the cracks of the old render.

The cavities have been cleared and sealed
Vents correctly installed to allow sub floor ventilation
Concrete plinth removed
Brickwork rebuilt around the perimeter of the property
Breather drain installed to reduce ground levels and to take water away from the house.
Bell bead installed to kick water away from the bottom of the house.

Not a single chemical used.

At Robur, we pride ourself on coming up with solutions, and understanding the mechanics of moisture behaviours within buildings.

If you are concerned with the dampness inside your home, please do get in contact with us.

Porcelain patio completed a week ago.

Very happy customer, already planning the next area to be done!

Client had reported water ingress.

On our initial visit we used the drone to get a close up look at the flashing. Then we cut an access hole into the ceiling to inspect where the water was coming from.

From our observations it was definitely a problem with the lead flashing.

Today we are back here to fix the problem!

Day 3 of the raised patio.

Old deck removed
Trench and over site dug
Footings for blocks poured
6 tonne of hardcore moved
44 blocks laid

The porcelain is now being laid, and the customer is very happy with the progress!

Thanks to Otto the site supervisor!

At Robur we make sure our work is done as efficiently as possible whilst maintaining the highest standards of work so that you can enjoy your new outdoor space as soon as possible.

Another success roof leak repair!

One customer of ours had been up in his loft and seen one of the rafter was sodden with water, an obvious sign of a leaky roof!

But from where?

They had previously hired a contractor who had identified roughly the area of the leak, but the repair done was not adequate.

We stripped back a portion of the roof, cleaned the area, cut back the roofing baton, used a piece of plastic membrane, tucked it right under the fibre glass valley and relaid the tiles.

This customer had a small leak coming through the lean-to shelter. After running a few tests, we had identified that it was the lead flashing which was the main culprit for the ingress of water.

The lead flashings wasn’t chased far enough into the mortar joints. Internal and external corners were not welded and the silicon used to fill the mortar joints had heavily deteriorated.

At Robur we are able to tackle all building related problems, with the utmost care and consideration for the dwelling itself and the customers we are working for .

Nice to get the Japanese plane out to work on this lastest commission.

At Robur we are not just builders, we are enthusiastic craftsman.

With winter fast approaching, we are seeing more adverts from large companies offering their damp-proofing products, from DPC injections to mould and damp-proof paint. The products they sell are for the most part pointless and often just mask the problem until a later date where it then becomes a more expensive fix.

We have been to a number of properties recently where fear-mongering sales representatives have quoted thousands of pounds worth of unnecessary work in an attempt to hit sales quotas. They often use a protimeter, otherwise known as ‘damp metre’ and falsely identify ‘rising damp’. These types of companies tend to offer short term fixes without actually addressing the problem.

People living in properties built before WW2 tend to have more issues with humidity control, mostly due to the use of modern building products, modern living, high ground levels and a lack of ventilation, to name a few.

Robur are offering free surveys to households that are suffering with high humidity levels and damp. The solution isn’t always as costly as expected, as many of the times it involves only slight adaptations to lifestyle which can help reduce humidity levels within the household.

We will use a variety of tools such as a thermal imaging camera, thermo hydrometer and inspection cameras.

After the survey a small report will be written for your use.

We are not affiliated with any damp proofing institutes, RICS or PCA which means our advice is completely unbiased and specific to you. There is absolutely no obligation to purchase anything from us after the report.

To discuss further contact Harry on 07421996581 or via email [email protected]

Throw back to one of our favourite projects to date. The restoration of the Kings Arms sign post in Christchurch.
The joint used too connect the two pieces of timber is referred to as a ‘castle joint’ but with the added complexity of an addition middle tenon.

At Robur we are more than just builder/carpenters we are enthusiastic craftsman.

Finally got around to fitting a new handle to my hammer. Used an off cut of elm from a job we had done in the past!

The Oak framed porch has been fully cladded.
Glazing to be installed further down the line.

Both us at Robur and our clients are very happy with the job, and we look forward to doing more of these in the future.

Also a big thanks for Hewins Oak for the supply of top quality oak.

Soundproofing of a party wall at local holiday cottages.
Acoustic insulation along with soundproof plaster boarding has done just the job. Skimmed by one of our approved tradesmen. Decorated and second fix done in time for the next guests.

What a difference a day makes. This customer wanted a low maintenance front garden as the constant weeds where getting the better of her. Needless to say another very happy customer.

Aluminium gate and panelling installed for a customer in Northbourne.

What was supposed to a be a small job repairing an area of water damage, has turned into a full lintel replacement.

Due to the properties costal location, there is an enhanced risk of corrosion from the salty air. The rusting causes the reinforcing bars inside the concrete to expand thus comprising the structural integrity of the lintel.

If you notice any cracks on your house and would like some free advice, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 07421996581 (Harry) or email us [email protected].

The Oak framed porch is near completion, just awaiting delivery of oak cladding, fascia and soffits.

Glass to be fitted in a couple of months time!

Excited to get back to what we love, starting on an oak frame porch today. The warm, natural look of oak adds timeless charm to your home.
Keep an eye out for the photos of the completed project

Hello I am writing this today to warn people about the rising damp scam going about. Please don't fall for it, they tend to scare monger people using a ‘damp reader’ which only measures water conductivity, not the actual water content.

We have visited a couple of households recently where they have been quoted up to £10,000 for damp proof injection, and told that it is rising damp causing the paint to crumble, or why the timber floor joists are rotting. Rising damp is seldom the case, and the cause is normally a much simpler problem which is easily identified with a trained eye.

So please before you choose to get your damp proof injection please give us a call and we would be more than happy to point out the actual problem and give you a solution.

Yet another successful project completed and more importantly another happy customer! Introducing one of our newest achievement: a fully finished gravel driveway and what a difference it makes!
Robur does it all.

Another happy customer! Our recent kitchen transformation has brought smiles all around. We've transformed their kitchen making it stylish and modern. We eagerly await the next trade to complete the flooring, Happy homeowners make our work truly rewarding!

Small job recently completed for a new customer who was recommended to us.
Aluminium side gate in replacement of her old wooden gate.
Prices start at £599 installed with a wide range of colours, sizes and styles to choose from.
Please get in contact if you would like more information.

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our latest extension project!

Our dedicated team has poured their expertise, passion, and attention to detail into bringing this vision to life. This extension not only adds valuable space but also enhances the overall beauty and functionality of the home. 🙌✨

Our customer is putting in his own kitchen and bathroom as well as decorating.

We want to extend gratitude to our amazing clients for trusting us with their project.