How To Treat Damp In A Listed Building

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Written by Warren Muschialli

Newton have treated damp in many Listed buildings, including Windsor Castle.

When waterproofing or treating damp in a listed building, the Listed Building Regulations must be considered. For example, Section 7 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, states that “no person shall execute or cause to be executed any works for the demolition of a listed building or for its alteration or extension in any manner which would affect its character [emphasis added] as a building of special architectural or historic interest, unless the works are authorised “.

The fundamental challenge when dealing with buildings of special architectural or historic interest is therefore to maintain structural and aesthetic integrity, while remaining sympathetic in the product application and still achieving the desired effect.

Newton offer damp proofing and cavity drain membranes which are ideal for Listed buildings and can be installed to be reversible. Do contact us about your project and we can advise on the most suitable products.

Advantages of Applying Damp Proofing or Cavity Drain Membranes

The Newtonite System for damp proofing, and the Newton CDM System for below ground scenarios, can both be sympathetically applied with little or no preparation at all. Depending on the chosen wall finish, they often only require the very minimum of strategically placed fixings to hold the membrane in place.

Newton’s waterproofing and damp proofing systems have been used in many notable Grade 1 and Grade 2 Listed Buildings including:

Case Study: The Royal Courts of Justice

This Grade 1 listed structure had a labyrinth of unused basement areas. With space at a premium, a large part of the brick basement area was converted into habitable space.

A full Cavity Drain System was installed by Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehouse. The system was quick to install and sympathetic to the structure, making it the ideal waterproofing solution.

The convoluted Victorian bird beak arches were sympathetically waterproofed whilst retaining the original features of this historic property, thus meeting Listed Building requirements. The vaults are now fully refurbished and provide a habitable area to Grade 3 of the environmental table within the British Standard 8102:2022, the Code of Practice for Protection of Below Ground Structures Against Water Ingress.

Following the success of this project, Stonehouse was commissioned to complete a second area to the same specification, with plans to renovate further areas of the immense below ground infrastructure in the future.

Experts at Treating Damp in a Listed Building

If you’re involved in renovating a listed building, Newton Waterproofing can provide professional advice on the best products for your project. We have years of industry experience and have developed our own suite of waterproofing and damp proofing products which have been used in many high profile projects. We work closely with all our customers to ensure that each project is a complete success.