CSRT time for damp and timber surveyor
For the second time in a month our MD Bryan Hindle spent a day training and mentoring others. This time it was Paul Walker who is a young damp and timber surveyor studying for his upcoming CSRT (Certificated Surveyor in Remedial treatment), exams. He is employed in the family damp proofing business Chris Walker and son damp proofing.
The day wasn’t in any way an exam preparation; it was dedicated to working on practical damp and timber surveying skills, which are going to be crucial to Paul’s successful career.
The day included two pre-purchase damp and timber surveys; and a couple of wall tie corrosion surveys.
Bryan carried out these inspections with Paul assisting. It was a good opportunity for Paul to work alongside an experienced surveyor, picking up tips to take away and improve on.
Bryan made a point of ‘writing-up’ his inspections with Paul and showing all the methodology Bryan uses to keep his damp and timber surveys accurate and productive too.
The two of them found wall tie corrosion, severe common furniture beetle infestation and damp, caused by the bridging of a bitumen type DPC, by high path levels. This is a very common problem in housing and can result in miss-diagnosed rising damp if care is not applied – no chance of that here though of course.
Bryan was impressed “I have been in contact with Paul for a few months, following an introduction from my friend and damp proofing supplier Robert Deary, but this is the first time weve met.”
“It’s great working with keen and enthusiastic surveyors like Paul and it was a pleasure to spend a day surveying with him. I learned some good stuff too.”
The day ended with a short desktop session on relative humidity, data logging and analysing environmental data. Bryan introduced Paul to the Psychrometric chart and the use of differential vapour pressure. These are the start of really getting to grips with mould and condensation control – something Paul is very passionate about.
These training days are part of our free educational outreach to help the industry improve, by spreading good practice, mentoring expanding businesses as well as individuals.
Paul is sitting his CSRT with The Property Care Association soon and we have no doubt he will be successful.
CSRT is the only recognised qualification for remedial treatment surveyors, which enables the issue of a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card, specific for remedial treatment surveying. Achieving the CSRT is essential as part of Paul’s efforts to bring his family business into PCA membership. Paul is already on his way to being a great damp and timber surveyor.
