If you live in Lancashire or surrounding areaa and your property is under threat from damp or timber problems then Hussain Architectural Design Ltd is the first choice option for you. We offer accurate and unbiased surveys. We cover all of the major towns in Lancashire, including Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Blackburn, Accrington, Pendle, Preston & Blackburn. We also cover the surrounding smaller villages such as Brierfield, Trawden, Oswaldtwistle and many more. Just pick up the phone to see if your area is covered.

Clients range from home-owners, potential purchasers, landlords, building contractors and developers, tenants, solicitors, housing associations, universities and councils. We're able to tailor our reports to suit your requirements. 

 

We offer a jargon free report which highlights problems as well as potential ones. We offer a no obligation, thorough timber and damp survey and a report from expert advice. Our impeccable customer care has grown and has meant that we concentrate on individual needs and solutions. Our main objective is to ensure your property is safe and habitable. We base our surveys on evidence and facts and offer a comprehensive independent report . A damp survey can be carried out to minimise disruption to the family and prevent further damage. If you are trying to sell or rent your house we can provide you with a damp report and quotations. Mortgage lenders often ask for a damp survey for satisfaction that the structure of the building is free from damp. This will ensure your property is ready and safe for a smooth transaction. We can liaise with vendors and estate agents on your behalf if you are in the process of purchasing a property we will arrange access to your potential property and carry out the damp survey. If you are a letting agent, estate agent or builder we can provide specialist advice and knowledge on forms of damp. It takes a qualified expert to spot potential problems with damp in a building. With our experience we can provide an onsite service with diagnosis, recommendations and quotations for remedial works. Our surveyors and technicians understand the nature and the extent of issues regarding damp. We can therefore offer information and insight to gain the correct diagnosis for you. Whether it is a diagnosis of rising damp or penetrating damp, the diagnosis will be the correct one. We will carry out a full inspection and produce your personalised report within 48 hours. There are different ways in which damp can affect a property. Rising damp occurs when ground water soaks up into unprotected brickwork, stone masonry or through the softer mortar. Ground water contains salts which absorb into a walls base. This can cause damage to your home and if left untreated can lead to timber decay. Rising damp happens when the existing damp proof course deteriorates. This then allows water to absorb through the waterproof barrier which has weakened. There are several tell-tale signs that your property might be affected by rising damp. These signs may include crumbling low level plaster, a band of salt that has drawn out of the plaster, tidemarks along the of the internal or external brickwork, stained or peeling wallpaper or flaky plaster. Treatment for rising damp may be installing a new damp proof course or maybe re-plastering with a water resistant render. Penetrating damp is as a result of poor external maintenance. This could be from damaged gutters which allow rain water to penetrate the buildings structure when the external bricks or renders are cracked. There are various causes of penetrating damp. From porous bricks and stones to driveways, paths, lawns and patios which have been raised above the damp proof course against the external wall. Missing or cracked roof slates or tiles could be another factor along with faulty flashing. Signs of penetrating damp could be stained internal plaster, blown plaster, plaster falling off walls or peeling wallpaper. We can inspect all areas of concern and provide you with a suitable treatment to resolve your damp problem. Sometimes no internal work is needed as once the source of the problem has been rectified walls may dry out naturally. Although if plasterwork has been affected, it may need to be removed and re-instated using a waterproof rendering system and then a skimmed with a coat of finish plaster. It is our aim to ensure that the dampness does no re-occur. Condensation is mainly caused by warm, moist air from household activities condensing onto colder surfaces in the home such as walls, windows and ceiling. These household activities include cooking, washing, bathing or even just breathing. Condensation comes from water vapor being created from within a building that cannot escape. Buildings that are poorly insulated walls are prone to this problem.The common sign of condensation is water collecting on the inside of windows or on the window sill. It is generally noticeable where it forms on non-absorbent surfaces, i.e. windows or tiles. It can form on any surface and it may not be noticed until black mould growth and rotting of materials occur. Other signs are decayed timer around window and door frames and water running down wall and pipes. When sufficient moisture is present, species of bacteria and fungi can pollute the air in people’s homes. Black mould can lead to an increase in respiratory problems such as asthma. In particular the elderly and young children can be badly affected.Condensation remedies may include background heat, additional ventilation, air vents, the use of fans and reduction of moisture generation. The inspection will cover the accessible timbers of the roof and floors. This will enable us to gain evidence of any infestation by wood-boring beetles/wood destroying fungi. The first floor walls will be tested for damp ingress. We will pay particular attention to areas at high risk of penetrating damp such as chimney breasts and walls adjacent to external water goods. We will then look at the walls at ground level for evidence of rising damp from ground water and water ingress from internal or external defects. We will also inspect the walls below ground level in basement areas for evidence of penetrating water from the ground. External observations including photographs of areas of concern as well as an internal observation. You will be provided with conclusions including a full plan highlighting the work required. Specification and budget estimates are based on current industry rates.