A New Year Summary

 

Last year we were kept busy with work coming from all corners of the UK and Ireland, including the Channel Islands.  

 

We dealt with assignments such as: 

 

• Plaster Beetles/Psocids Infestation 
• Assessment of Decay in Timber Beams 
• Concrete Moisture Testing 
• Structural Moisture Testing
• Dry Rot Surveys 
• Hazardous Materials Contamination in Buildings 
• Cloth Moth Infestation 
• Domestic Dry Rot 
• Indoor Air Quality 
• Damp & Moisture Problems
• Site Hazard Investigation
• Timber Decay
• Mould Survey, Monitoring Identification & Health Implications
• Insect & Pest Infestation
• Indoor Air Quality & Health
• Building Conservation
• Research & Development
• Borescope Inspections
• Forensic Building Investigations
• Expert Witness & Legal Work

 

Most of our work was reached from our headquarters near Milton Keynes and our second office just outside Dorking in Surrey, both being sited conveniently for easy connection to airports if required.  

Along side these offices, we are steadily establishing our client base in Wales and have already completed numerous, successful projects here, in the Midlands and the western side of the UK.

 

Plaster Beetles/Psocids Infestation 

EBS Ltd were asked to investigate plaster beetle infestation in new built apartments, which was causing the occupants some distress. The client required a positive identification of the insects, cause of infestation, associated health and safety implications and a method of control. 

 

Death Watch Beetle

Active Death Watch Beetle was found in many of the historic buildings we inspected during this period (see photo below). 

 

As can be seen from the photograph below, the damage caused by Death Watch Beetle can be severe when combined with wet rot.  

 

EBS Ltd can save money for owners because we seldom recommend expensive chemical treatments.  

More often problems can be solved by simple, low cost environmental solutions.  Our sophisticated technical equipment can be used to test most aspects of a building, without the need for extensive exposure work and large-scale removal of timber.  Our approach is much kinder to the environment, simpler and is often much less expensive.

 

Water Leaks

Last year our work was not confined to historic buildings.  We inspected many failures in modern buildings, primarily associated with water leaks, subsequent mould related issues and the potential health impacts on the occupants. 

Water leaks in modern buildings can be difficult to detect and assess the distribution of water.  Water can travel over large distances under damp proof membranes in solid floors appearing remotely from the leak source.  EBS Ltd has many years of experience inspecting these problems and we are in great demand, usually called in when other experts have failed to identify the problem.  

Once the problem has been identified we are often able to reduce the extent of opening up and the repairs required, thus saving considerable time and expense for the owner and insurance company.

 

Thermal Imaging

Below a thermal imaging camera is used to detect differences in temperature in materials.  This can be useful in detecting moisture in structures combined with other tests.  All these tests are useful but it is crucial to have these results analysed by our experienced surveyors. 

 

Structural Moisture Testing

EBS Ltd undertook a range of inspections, testing for structural and residual moisture.  This was required by the insurance companies to provide a warranty. We were able to offer these tests and cost effective environmentally friendly solutions, to resolve structural related moisture issues.

 

Mould Risk Assessment

EBS Ltd has undertaken diagnostic, non-destructive, environmental risk assessment surveys, for mould and mycoflora in a range of museums, archives, domestic, commercial and historic buildings all over UK and abroad. These investigations enable us to provide our clients with environmentally friendly solutions for damp, mould and health related issues.