Over a period of several weeks, Protectahome has completed large scale timber surveys at the Cambrian Place redevelopment in Swansea. The surveys are part of a £5m refurbishment project to revamp the 200 year old Grade II listed townhouses into 31 apartments.

The townhouses themselves date back to 1820 and form one of Swansea’s oldest original streets, having survived severe bombing raids during the Second World War. Located near the waterfront and Swansea’s Maritime Quarter, they are considered an important architectural landmark in the city.

Protectahome have long standing working relationships with both the main contractor and lead architect on the project, making us an obvious choice to conduct the necessary timber surveys required throughout the 8 townhouses.

As further areas have been exposed during strip out phase, our surveys have focused on identifying attacks by wood rotting fungi and/or wood boring beetles as well as general timber condition and possible vulnerabilities. The surveys were completed by a team of 2 surveyors and our principle operative who have over 80 years’ combined experience in building preservation between them. Our findings are now being compiled into detailed reports which will allow the main contractor and project design team to plan for the next phases.

As is always the case when surveying historic buildings, you never know quite what you will encounter. We have seen most things in our time, but the rudimental shower curtain repair featured in the pictures below might be a first.

If you are interested in discussing our timber survey services, please contact our team on 0800 055 6966 or web@protectahome.co.uk.