Working from the front lawn of the family home, in South New Brighton, Christchurch, neighbours, onlookers and passerbys (on their way to the beach) would stop and stare in disbelief as a modern day mad scientist produced a thick white foam, spraying it upon the lawn, and over the trees and bushes like a thick blanket of snow, trialing mixes with cement based grout brews.
After countless trials and lab testing a final mix design for Foamcrete was perfected and underfloor ground sealing began.
Canterbury Foam Concrete carried out many hundreds of ground sealing jobs in the early years with Graeme on the hose while wife and co-director Cathie as first hand, operated the pump. Cathie also carried out measure ups and quotes during the early period. Interestingly, as jobs were completed, they were recorded by placing a pin onto a map of Christchurch City which was on the wall of the office, {these were the days before google maps}. This showed at a glance, an interesting spread of jobs across the city and highlighted at a glance some of the damp and more troublesome parts of the city.
Canterbury Foam Concrete was also involved in filling under runners and redundant pipes in the early days as it is still to this day. This type of work has really accelerated in recent years after the Christchurch earthquake period as Foam Concrete has proved to be an ideal, uniquely flowable, fast, efficient, and cost effective product, to fill voids under relevelled foundations, as well as foundations on piles which have cavities that have formed after earthquake settlement.
For existing homes with wooden floor construction.
Stop Mould & Mildew, Reduce Heating Bills, Cost Effective Permanent Solution to Rising Damp, Free Consultation/Quotes.
(From left) Founder and Managing Director
Co-Managing Director
Operations Manager
Supervisor
Canterbury Foam Concrete Ltd have been manufacturing and installing light weight Foam Concrete in Christchurch for over 20 years. “Thermofill” is a trademark name for a system of sealing the ground beneath your wooden floor home to stop rising damp.
Rising damp can be a major contributor to poor health causing respiratory issues like asthma. A recent report published in an International Medical Journal stated that “Almost 20 percent of hospital admissions of young children with acute respiratory infections could be prevented if their houses were free from damp and mould”
Independent tests have shown that up to 40 litres of moisture can rise off the ground every 24 hours. The moisture will often manifest in mould, mildew, musty smells, condensation and high RH values inside the house.
While insulation is important, it has long been recognised that it is dampness that is the real villain in the house. The new Healthy Homes Standards introduced by the government effective from the 1st July 2019 now has a requirement to install ground moisture barriers, a key element in the armoury to fight moisture in the home.
Dr Larry Bellamy BE (hons) PhD in a report dated 1988: Foam Concrete Under Timber Floors: An Energy Analysis assessed the effects of placing Foam Concrete over damp soil and had this to say: Condensation on the underside of a timber floor can occur where the floor is suspended over damp ground and the inside air temperature falls close to the crawl space air temperature. Much energy is required to vaporise moisture that penetrates the structure. By avoiding underfloor condensation, foam concrete can reduce floor heat losses by up to 90%.
● Canterbury Foam Concrete Ltd can, in most cases, install a Ground Moisture Barrier under the suspended wooden floor of your home, even when there is no crawl space.
● BRANZ Appraised; Appraisal Number 961.
● Members of the Insulation Association of New Zealand.
● We offer a free measure and quote in the Canterbury region with no obligations.
● Assessments can be made in all other regions by arrangement.
Call us today for a free home assessment
The house seems warmer – in fact we have not switched on our night store heaters, which is unusual. The dampness and musty odour that used to be under the house has gone completely. It is much easier and cleaner to get under the house.
As you know I had looked at other options but I liked the permanence of the concrete. It’s certainly worked and I wish I had done the job long ago. Thank you for completing the job with no mess and in true tradesman like manner.
Thanks Guys. The foam concrete has made a lot of difference already. Floor is a lot warmer and noticeably drier inside- even as we continue to use a portable gas heater. If you would like a testimonial let me know.
I have been a Master Builder for most of my working life and was surprised and pleased we got your firm to do the job and would have no hesitation in recommending foam concrete as the answer to many dampness problems under existing houses.
Before installing the foam concrete our house was always cold and musty smelling due to the soil and moisture under the house. When the concrete was installed under the floor the workmen were neat and tidy with their work, and the job was done without any hassles (or mess). They were professional in their manner at all times. The procedure did not cause any inconvenience to our household at all.
Since the concrete was installed the house is definitely warmer - especially the end bedrooms which were always cold and prone to mildew. Any jobs which require climbing down under the house eg Plumbing, wiring are now a lot cleaner as you don’t get covered with dirt or mud.
We have now had two winters with the foam concrete under floor and would thoroughly recommend both Canterbury Foam Concrete, and their product to anyone who is interested in having their home warmer and drier. It was certainly money well spent.
The results from having this done are absolutely unbelievable. The house is noticeably warmer, we have no condensation and our power bill has been considerably reduced. Graeme did the job professionally and left our property clean and tidy.
I was pleased with the friendly service from everyone. It took three days to see the difference on the walls and closets in the house and we have been so happy with our product that we have been telling everyone about it and your company.
I cannot believe the difference the product has made to my flat. To get out onto the warm carpet in the winter is a real treat. I find that I do not need as much heating now, so I will pay for your product easily by the savings I make on heating bills.
Canterbury Foam Concrete can offer multiple solutions to common civil engineering problems where other readily available and specialist techniques do not compare.
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