Help dealing with Timberwise.

[MrsPWN]

4 years ago I had my lower ground floor converted by a local company called Haltrot. All was ok and I was pretty happy with the work. 2 walls are underground and were tanked, 1 long wall has an alleyway on the other side so was damproofed up to 1m and the 4th is french doors opening onto the garden (may sound weird but we live on a hill lol)

2 years ago I noticed a large patch of damp on the alley wall above the dpc starting at the corner where the tanking ends. I called Haltrot to be informed they had been bought out by Timberwise, a surveyor duly came out and informed me the tanking should have been extended around the corner by about 1m, he was meant to check my guarantee and write a report. Nothing was rec'd and tbh it wasn't a priority so I promptly forgot about it!

It has become pretty bad now, blown plaster, mould, the works and it is becoming a priority. 3 times I have called Timberwise and been fobbed off by people saying they will look into it then never get called back. I have the guarantee somewhere but it has been "put somewhere safe" and may never be found again. When I last spoke to them I said surely they have a copy of my file and they said they didn't get everyones details when they took over the company and would look and get back to me

It has now been 5 weeks and I tried to call this am to be told the guy looking into it will be back in to the office later today.So what do I do? I am not a very forceful person and do tend to avoid confrontation if poss but I NEED this sorting soon so we can start using the space again.

I was thinking getting a report from another company stating the tanking should have been extended round the corner but don't really want to spendmoney unless I have to.

Thanks for reading this far!!

 

[Geoff T]

Hi Mrs,

I'm not sure where he is, but have a chat with Charlie - He's the DB's for this sort of thing IMO.

Regards,

 

[crossdaz]

As mentioned above if you contact a qualified building surveyor he or she will be able to advise you how to proceed. You will need a qualified report if it goes legal anyway so it is a good first step.

I suspect that if this company do then offer to do the works it could be the start of an even bigger problem - remedial works are seldom successful when carried out by an unenthusiastic contractor.

 

[MrsPWN]

Thanks Mr T, will look him up.

Crossdaz, this does worry me as I think you are right, clearing up someone elses mess isn't going to be high on their priority list. Although the guy I finally spoke today seems ok and the surveyor is coming out next week. Think I will try and get another report done by then.

 

[crossdaz]

Thanks Mr T, will look him up.

Crossdaz, this does worry me as I think you are right, clearing up someone elses mess isn't going to be high on their priority list. Although the guy I finally spoke today seems ok and the surveyor is coming out next week. Think I will try and get another report done by then.

Whatever happens - always email everyone you deal with and tell them what they have told you they will do - no matter how small.
Always have a digital camera to hand and take pictures before, during and after each operation - it doesn't matter if you don't know what you are taking pictures of by the way - only that evryone knows you are taking them

 

[MrsPWN]

I agree with the taking photo's, I popped home unexpected while they were working on the floor to find they hadjust punctured the membrane under the floor and were botching it with a bin liner!!!

You bet I took photos

 

[mids_biz_guy]

Hi Mrs

I run my own basement conversion business and for many years worked for a damp proofing business, these are a couple of my thoughts and suggestions

1. contact the propertycare association who are the trade association for the remedial treatments industry, timberwise are members and have to agree to abide by ceratin standards and protocols

2. Timberwise grew their business by buying out local firms trading as the original name for a period of time then the company slowly intergrated the timberwise name once the regualr customers got comfortable with the new owner.

3. Most remedial guarantees for 'tanking' are valid for ten years, but there is normally a cluase that rectification works under guarantee will only be carried out on sight of the original guarantee copy - so minimise the opportunities they have to wiggle out.

4. From what you have described the membrane system should have been taken across the adjoining wall by a min. 1 mtr to stop the signs of lateral damp movement.

5. The mold you mention is it black in colour? if so its black spot mold and due to excessive moisture content. play the health card when the timberwise survyor turns up.

My personal suggestion ring the property care association dont tell them intially its timberwise explain the situation and ask their advice, then ask them what one of there member companies should do.

I however will warn you that like most trade bodies, they are a paid subscription so they are really there to look after there paying members. but the more ammo you can get to tackle the timberwise surveyor all the better.

all the best

 

[MrsPWN]

Thanks very much for the info, invaliable. I am really hoping toplay the health card as I am nearly 9m pregnant and this can't be good. Will make more calls tomorrow, and search out that bloody piece of paper!