9 Cellars Completed Stafford Street Edinburgh

/in /by

We have now completed the 9 cellars we were working on in Stafford Street in Edinburgh this job was for the Edinburgh Developer Ian Murray who was delighted with the quality and finish of the cellars.

As each cellar has been allocated to a flat the 3 townhouses are being converted into 9 flats so each new owner will get the use of a fully dry lined and waterproofed cellar the cellars were all waterproofed with Delta Membranes of whom we are an Approved Contractor.

The job took us 6 weeks to complete which was completed on time and on Budget, we have a similar project to start in another 2 town houses in the Newtown that are to be soon developed into flats with 6 cellars requiring our services.

You can view our cellar film here which shows you a timeline of cellars being waterproofed and dry lined https://vimeo.com/195191945 if you would like your cellar turned into useful space we do a free survey and report on your cellar and once completed we give you a 20-year Guarantee on the works.

Our 24 hour 7 day a week survey form you can complete here   or call our Walker Street phone number here 0131 240 5430 or mobile 07455777635.

Working at Stafford Street doing 9 under Street Cellars August 2017

Survey in Athelstaneford

/in /by

We were called on Thursday afternoon and asked when we were available to survey a bedroom at a bungalow in the East Lothian Villiage of Athelstaneford which seemingly had  rot in the timber floor which apparently needed uplifting and the sub floor joists replaced the customer had had another preservation company in who had supplied a large quote to undertake these extensive treatments and repairs but the customer was not convinced so asked Kingston to come out and give a second opinion.

As in many occasions, we try to fit surveys in the same day so we attended the same day which went down really well with the customer and as he had a bill from this other company for £120.00 he was really pleased when we confirmed we do not charge for surveys.

We arrived at his property just after 5pm and immediately got on with the survey it was established within the first minute of the inspection that there were no sub floor joists the room had a concrete floor with a 12mm plywood fitted on top of the concrete floor which had deteriorated over time this caused the brown dust which to the un trained eye looked like spore dust.

Easy enough to identify we diagnosed that the plywood should be uplifted and removed and we would coat the concrete floor with a polyurethane 2 pack waterproofer so as to waterproof the concrete prior to the new carpet being fitted.

A price was agreed to do the job and we undertook the job on Saturday morning job done on time on budget properly diagnosed no charge for survey and the job done at a fraction of the price quoted by the company who could not identify or diagnose the correct specification required to remedy the issue.

Customer called the company to complain and had his survey fee cancelled and received an apology and the excuse that the surveyor is going on holiday so that’s how he made the mistake.

If you require a same day survey give us a call and if we can we will fit it in for you at No Charge and in most occasions you will receive a report within 24hous of initial survey today (Sunday 13th August )  I did 4 Surveys yesterday I did 3 surveys as we work 7 days a week to accommodate clients who work Monday to Friday.

Most weekdays Monday to Friday I will set off in the Morning with 3 surveys to do and by the end of the day I have done another 3 or 4 surveys it depends on how many requests I get for our services if I am in George Street and I get a call from a customer in Dundas Street or anywhere in and around Edinburgh if I can visit there and then I will do it with no charge.

The happy customer at Athelstaneford has invited me to a game of Golf which I am looking forward to, If you require our services call us direct on 07455777635 or by e mail to info@kingston-preservation.co.uk or use our 24-hour contact form here  we also are on Face Book Kingston face book page here.

Plywood laid on top of concrete floor incorrectly diagnosed as Rot by other company.

Arriving to do Survey

The plywood was removed and the concrete floor treated with waterproofer

The finished job ready for new carpet.

New Build Waterproofing

/in /by

 As we are a Delta Approved contractor we are Waterproofing a new build extension for Abbeyhill All Trades Services at a property in Redford Drive in Edinburgh using Delta Dualproof and Membranes for this one the job is progressing well. The internal Delta Gutter system will be connected to the drainage.The area has been excavated down by 2.5 metres so the walls and floor slab will all be waterproofed to BS8102 2009 grade 3 requirements, 2 Systems as the new room will be living space.
We work closely with the builders when we do these jobs as each phase has to be fitted to floors before the concrete is poured and to the new walls as they are constructed.
We also get the Delta Technical Surveyor to visit these jobs to assist us with Technical support and to go through the job with the builder as the job progresses.

30th July 2017 Dual proof fitted to floor slab.

30th July 2017 dual proof fitted below and above floor slab.

30th July 2017 working on a waterproofing job at Redford Loan Edinburgh.

Insurance Repairs

/in /by

Following on from our water damage repair job to the properties at Ainslie Place where the customer wrote a fantastic testimonial regarding our works the insurance company have appointed us to complete the restoration of a damaged ceiling to another property in central Edinburgh in the New Town.

The ceiling we are working on was originally designed by the Architect Robert Playfair who designed lots of the properties in Edinburgh New Town when the houses were originally constructed this flat was also his own residence.

Extensive protection works are undertaken before we start the restoration of the damaged ceiling we have prepared an extensively detailed report with the loss adjuster very happy with our report and estimate. We started the works today, we are expecting the job to last 3 weeks as we arranged for the flat to be cleared of all furniture etc and got everything put into storage for the duration of the contract.

We have worked with the loss adjuster to organise everything taking all the stress from the insured who are delighted at how easy we made things for them we went through colour charts today with the insured and they have now chosen the colours and the make of paint we will utilise for the project.

As we are an all trades company with vast experience in dealing with insurance claims we are perfectly geared up to take on jobs like this and also water damage and fire damage claims.

If you require any assistance with an insurance claim contact us on our 24 hours 7 days a week on line from here  or call us at our Edinburgh number 0131 240 5430 or my mobile number which is o7455777635 we are also on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/kingstonpreservation

This ceiling was designed by Robert Playfair Architect.

William Henry Playfair.

William Henry Playfair

Playfair’s townhouse at 17 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh

Playfair’s grave, Edinburgh

Statue of William Henry Playfair, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

William Henry Playfair FRSE (15 July 1790 – 19 March 1857) was one of the greatest Scottish architects of the 19th century,[1] designer of many of Edinburgh’s neo-classical landmarks in the New Town.

He was born on 15 July 1790 in Russell Square, London, to James Playfair and Jessie Graham.[2] Playfair’s father was also an architect, and his uncles were John Playfair, the scientist, and William Playfair, an economist and pioneer of information graphics.

Two of his finest works are the neo-classical buildings of the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy which are situated in the centre of Edinburgh. The Playfair Project completed in 2004 joined the two historic buildings with an underground link.

In the 1830s Playfair is listed as living at 17 Great Stuart Street on the prestigious Moray Estate in Edinburgh‘s west end.[3]

Playfair joined the Free Church following the Disruption of 1843,[4] losing his right to burial in the parish churchyard.

Playfair took David Cousin under his wing and was responsible for the latter part of his training.

Playfair died in Edinburgh on 19 March 1857, and is buried in the “Lord’s Row” on the western wall of Edinburgh’s Dean Cemetery, where he designed a number of monuments for others, including Lord Jeffrey.

Timeline of major projects

The unfinished National Monument, Edinburgh, begun in 1826

Fine detailing by Playfair on the Royal Scottish Academy

Gallery of architectural work

  • Donaldson’s College, Edinburgh 1851

  • Old College, Edinburgh University

  • Old College, Edinburgh University

  • City Observatory, Edinburgh

  • Three Edinburgh buildings by Playfair

  • Royal Scottish Academy

  • Royal Scottish Academy frontage

  • Sphinxes on the Royal Scottish Academy

  • Regent Terrace, Edinburgh

  • John Playfair Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh

  • St. Stephen’s Church Edinburgh

  • Surgeons’ Hall, Edinburgh

  • Dugald Stewart Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh

  • Floors Castle, near Kelso

  • New College, Edinburgh

  • National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh

  • Dollar Academy, Clackmannanshire

 

Wet Rot Edinburgh

/in /by

We started today a job in Craiglea Drive in the Morningside area of Edinburgh the property is a commercial shop and it has been affected by Wet rot to the floor joists and rising dampness to the lower area walls.

The floor joists that are affected by wet rot will be cut out and replaced with newly treated timbers and the plaster will be removed to the areas that we recorded high damp readings on our moisture meter at the time of the survey.

We carefully go round all the walls testing the lower areas and we produce a drawing which is marked up showing all the areas that require treatment this is presented to the client along with a detailed report and estimate to carry out the treatments, both these documents are retained by the customer and once we have completed the job we issue our 30 year Guarantee on the treatments and works.

This job will get the plaster removed 1 metre from floor level the exposed walls then get drilled and a new Damp proof course is installed and cavity membranes are then fitted to the exposed wall areas we complete the job by fixing plasterboard to the membranes and our plasterer gives it a finishing skim coat of plaster.

By doing the job in this process the walls dry very quickly allowing

18th July 2017.

Wet rot affected floor joists at a shop at Craiglea Drive Edinburgh 18th July 2017.

decoration normally only a few days after we have completed the job.

Cluny Drive Edinburgh

/in /by

We are currently working on a Basement waterproofing job in Cluny Road in the Morningside area of the City this job involves the waterproofing of the basement walls which are below ground level we are using Delta products for the job 2 different membranes we are utilizing Delta 500 for the wall areas below ground level and Delta slim line with mesh for the areas that are affected by rising damp.

The job was started last week and is well on the way to completion with a target deadline set for the end of this week the job is on time and within budget, to our client’s satisfaction we are also insulating the walls with Kingspan prior to plaster boarding and skim coat plaster to complete the job.

We specialise in turning damp basements and cellars so If you are thinking about converting or waterproofing your basement or cellar give us a call and we would be delighted to assist you in the project our Edinburgh number is 0131 240 5430 or our 7 days a week contact number is 07455 777 635 or you can contact us 24/7 on our on line book a survey enquiry form here.

Cluny Road Edinburgh 16th July 2017.

Delta Membranes being fitted July 2017.

Delta Slimline fitted to window ingoe July 2017.

Morar House

/in /by

Kingston Preservation has been appointed by All Saints Group PLC To undertake the extensive Dry Rot Treatments, Waterproofing works and Damp Proofing treatments at Morar House in Helensburgh.

This historic house has lain empty for many years and will now be upgraded and converted into 12 individual flats the project architects on this contract are Lorne Macneal who are based in St Vincent Street in the Edinburgh New Town whom we have a long running business relationship for over 25 years.

There are many timbers in the building that are extensively decayed by the rot and it will take all our experience to carefully restore this historic building back to its original state of condition.

The waterproofing will require our partnership with Delta to design and undertake the waterproofing element of the job we have requested a visit from Delta to assist in specifying the design of the system to be installed and Michael Vernon ( Deltas Specifier )  will be attending a site meeting this week to go over the design of the waterproofing element of the job.

Morar House Helensburgh July 2017

Edinburgh Vaults

/in /by

We recently successfully completed the waterproofing of 2 large Vaults located in the Grassmarket area of the city in Blair Street the vaulted under bridge type vaults are to be turned into a cinema room and an eating area as part of a development that is on 8 floors of the building.

We utilised the same Delta Membranes that we use on a daily basis when we are transforming customers under pavement cellars the material is very durable and easy to work with and the membranes have a 100-year biodegradable lifespan.

The system that we used for this bob allowed the water to enter the vaults behind the membranes which divert the water into a gutter system fitted around the perimeter of the base of the vaults which then is connected to a drain this was done with a gravity feed system so no need for a sump and a pump in this type of waterproofing system.

We designed the system and worked with the project Architect at the design stage and we brought in the membranes suppliers technical Surveyor from Delta to assist in the design.

We are happy to assist any Architects or who require assistance in designing a waterproof system on either a new build or a traditional build project where waterproofing works are required we specialise in Basement Conversions.

We recently completed the Basement waterproofing of the TSB Bank in Rutherglen which was another large waterproofing contract both jobs were completed on time and on a budget to our client’s satisfaction.

Contact our Edinburgh office on 0131 240 5430 or you can use our book a survey 24 hour 7 day a week facility here for outside office hours or weekends call 07455 777 635.

July 2017 Waterproofed vaults Blair Street Edinburgh.

We waterproofed the vaults in Delta Membranes then we framed them out ready for plasterboard July 2017.

The same membranes we use on cellar conversions were used on the project July 2017.

Cellar converted for Christophe Berra.

/in /by

We recently converted a cellar for Christophe Berra the Scottish international football player who has recently signed for Hearts see below the e-mail

we received from Christophe upon completion of the job.

Amazing job- Stuart and the team at Kingston Preservation done a great job restoring my underground cellar. They were very punctual and professional from start to finish. Highly recommended

Christophe Berra
Another cellar conversion is done by Kingston on time and on the budget if you want your old damp cellar converted into dry usable space give us a call and arrange for our Surveyor to survey your cellar to provide a quote to convert it.
Call us 7 days a week on our Edinburgh number 0131 240 5430 or use our book a survey form which you can send to us 7 days a week at any time of the day or night and we will call you back to book an appointment.Or use our mobile number 07455777635.
We carry out surveys at weekends if that is more suitable due to work.

Polythene Lined Cellars

/in /by

We are now stripping out Edinburgh Newtown Cellars at the rate of 6 per month most of  these cellars appear to have been done around 10 years ago however some were done as recently as 2 years ago  we understand the company who was doing the cellars in polythene is no longer trading, as they were lined in poor quality polyethene with no insulation we find that most customers opt for the cellars to be completely ripped out and start again using the proper Delta Membranes.

It is also important to insulate the cellars this prevents cold spots which can cause condensation, we have found that these cellars lined with cheap polyethylene sometimes still keep water out however they get covered in mould due to a high relative humidity in the cellar and things that are placed in the cellars get mouldy and damp.

As Kingston Preservation is a Delta approved contractor and a full member of SBG Guarantees you can be assured that we use only the highest quality membranes and Kingspan Insulation the door areas are sealed with expansion foam to create a full watertight seal around the doors.

We now can get electric supply into your cellars even if you stay on a top floor flat or a 1st or 2nd floor due to our tie up with an electrical company who have contacts with Scottish power it means getting a meter installed which is a nominal costing.

We can also get a temporary supply whilst we are working on your cellar which avoids getting a generator or leads out windows etc.

We are now doing over 100 cellars a year and have 3 dedicated teams of fitters working exclusively on cellar projects, we also have our Architect who can supply drawings and obtain building warrants if the cellar is to be living space.

Contact us 7 days a week on our Edinburgh number 0131 240 5430 or contact us on our 7 day 24 hour book a survey form here.

December 15th 2016 Delta Training Course in London our Team flew from Edinburgh Airport to Stanstead to attend the course.

Picture taken 4th September 2016 of lined out cellar in Eglington Crescent Edinburgh.

Newtown Cellars being stripped out at Heriot Row November 2016.