Recently, we had the privilege of working on a project for a valued customer in Heacham Village. The property, a charming period cottage on the West Norfolk Coast, was facing significant issues with dampness, particularly in the upstairs rooms. After conducting a thorough survey and inspecting the loft, we discovered that the felt under the roof had perished, allowing water to seep in and wreak havoc on the internal walls and ceilings of the bedrooms.
This was no small project—it quickly turned into an extensive restoration effort. Given the urgency of the situation, we immediately set to work, erecting scaffolding around the perimeter of the building. Despite the chilly December weather, our team was focused on resolving this emergency before the festive period.
Once the scaffolding was in place, we carefully stripped the roof tiles, setting them aside for
reuse. It became evident that the felt had completely disintegrated in many areas. Years of
relentless water intrusion from the Norfolk Coast weather had not only compromised the felt but had also begun to rot the roof trusses. This meant we needed to perform some minor repairs to the trusses before moving forward.
After removing all the old felt and battens, we disposed of the damaged materials and installed modern Tyvek roofing felt to prevent future deterioration. We then re-battened the roof with new timbers and re-laid the existing roof tiles, replacing any broken ones with reclaimed tiles along the way. To finish off, we meticulously reinstalled the flaunches to hold the chimney pots in place and encourage rainwater away from the stack and added new ridge tiles to provide protection against leaks as well as heat and the North Norfolk wind, new lead flashing around the roof, which had also deteriorated over time completed the project.
Once the scaffolding was down, we turned our attention to both the interior and exterior of the cottage. Inside one of the bedrooms, we found that the water damage had been so severe that the plaster had disintegrated on both the ceiling and walls. We stripped away the old plaster, and then installed plasterboard before applying a fresh layer of plaster. We redecorated this room and made additional improvements in other areas where the damage was less extensive.
Outside, the pebble dash and sand wall were also in dire need of repair. We stripped back the
damaged sections and worked on restoring the exterior. To ensure longevity and protection from the harsh Norfolk weather conditions, we finished the job with Santex paint.
Despite the cold conditions, our team sprang into action and completed the entire project within three weeks meaning our client and his family could enjoy their Christmas in the comfort of their now dry home. The transformation of this Norfolk cottage not only resolved the damp issues but also restored its charm and integrity. We take pride in our ability to respond quickly and effectively to our clients' needs, ensuring that their homes remain safe and beautiful for years to come.
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