Solum Treatments
The solum of a property is the subfloor base of the property (level under ground floorboards). In older properties built prior to the 1950’s normally the solum areas are unsealed and are possibly damp. This may be due to the solum being lower than the surrounding ground levels around the property, the water table being near the solum level, Defective or ineffective land drainage in the area etc .
Most properties built since the 1950 had the solum areas sealed, earlier with bitumen tar or in later years moving to current building standards which stipulate that a Heavy gauge Polythene Damp proof membrane (DPM) be laid on top of aggregate and covered with a screed of concrete. Many of the old tar sealed solums have deteriorated and the tar has broken down and is in need of replacement.
A high moisture content in the subfloor area from a damp solum can result in the following:
- High levels of condensation/mould growth throughout the ground floor living area
- Wood rotting fungi affecting, floor timbers, adjacent skirtings/joinery timbers
Depandant on the construction, access of sub floor area our surveyor will select the most effective solution of sealing the solum according to all of the contributing factors and detail a remedial specification in a written report and quotation for your consideration.