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Testimonials
“I first made contact with Pilcher & Edwards when I had leaks in a factory that needed fixing. I rang the North Shore City Council for help and they gave me your name. Many people had looked at it and none couldidentify and fix our problem. This was stressful and we simply wanted to get it sorted and fixed so we could get on with our lives. Our biggest worry was the cost once work started. We decided to use Pilcher & Edwards because we liked the logical and practical approach that you would take to solve our problem. This meant that we had clear evidence on what was causing our problem before starting repairs.
We used Pilcher & Edwards for both your diagnostic services and your follow on remedial work, avoiding the need to find yet another contractor.
The whole process was very simple; the leaks are now fixed and we have peace of mind. The Technician was very experienced and friendly, and the works staff were polite and helpful, taking care of our property throughout. The Contracts Manager was on site every day, happy to explain the situation and answer our queries. I have now recommended your services to many other people due to you fixing our problem. Builders can’t do leak work properly.” - C Davis
This letter is to acknowledge the high standard of professionalism with wich Pilchers carried out their investigations , repair work and waterproofing on my property during 2003. I was very impressed by the thoroughness with which your company approached their task and their attention to detail at all times. The proof is that the property now shows low to normal moisture levels throughout the interior.
I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Pilchers to anyone who has problems with a leaky home. Indeed in my opinion, there is no other company with the experience or skills to carry out this sort of repair work to the level of professionalism required". - Julian Sambrook
“I was referred to Pilcher & Edwards by someone who had already used your services. We wished to locate and repair leaks in our property and I chose to use Pilcher & Edwards because I had very positive feedback from other clients who had already used your services.
The logical and practical approach to the test process you used was easy to follow and the outcomes were presented in a thorough, easy to digest report. The remedial recomendations were clear and with a fixed price - a full service.
Many trades people and service providers are quite aggressive around selling their services. Pilcher & Edwards on the other hand are always low key, not pushy and friendly. They never pressure you and are a pleasure to talk to and do business with.” - Richard Whittington
“I had water leakage problems that other simply could not find for us, and I was referred by someone who had already used your services. My initial concern was that you may not be able to identify the source of the leak, however because of very positive feedback from other clients who had used your services I decided to use you as well.
Pilcher & Edwards were the only people that could find the leak, and the attending technician, Richard, proved very experienced and effective. His friendly and confident manner inspired confidence in your approach.” - Stephen Chan
"Just a note to say "thank you" for putting our job up the list, ahead of the sale of our property. Richard has done an excellent job amidst a tight time frame and we appreciate the logical and methodical way he has approached the job.
We are happy to say.. a job well done" - Janet and Michael Braid.
“Our ongoing leakage problem was causing a lot of stress. We wanted to understand clearly and in plain English exactly what had caused our water leakage problem and what were our options to get it fixed and repaired.
The logical and practical approach that you utilised meant that I had clear evidence on what was causing our problem before starting repairs. The great benefit is that we no longer worry when bad weather approaches and we feel we have also maintained the value of our house should we sell.
I would recommend the services of Pilcher & Edwards because we had confidence in the repair work undertaken. Accepting the fixed price meant we knew what costs were up front and wouldn’t get surprised further into the repairs. The repair work you did is not noticeable. It is a very tidy job and matches perfectly to the house.” - Colin Chin
“I was referred to Pilcher & Edwards by a previous client. I elected to use your services based on your previous workmanship and your wide experience in identifying and repairing weathertightness problems in large numbers of properties. I use Pilcher & Edwards as one of my preferred 'repair companies' on buildings of all construction types throughout Auckland.
I would recommend the services of Pilcher & Edwards due to the ease in interpreting the results provided in your report and the 'turnkey' type operation. The problem was diagnosed, the work outlined and price for repair provided” - Steve Garland
"...I would like to say how impressed I was with the 'Team' who worked on my house. Alan Hansen was very considerate and informative throughout the process. It was a somewhat stressful time for me, seeing the damage that had been caused. Understanding the nature of the repairs that were required certainly assisted in my understanding of what was involved. Alan's knowledge and experience provided the reassurance that all that needed to be done was being done. The end result, thanks to the skill of your people, is that it is difficult to see that considerable repairs have been carried out. At the end of each day, the house was left in extremely good condition". - Ian Lowish
"Your Senior Technician, Richard, carried out a water leakage test for me. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the professional way in which he did this, right from the initial phone call to confirm the appointment, through to his prompt arrival and ongoing communication as the testing was conducted!! It was a pleasure to have him and I feel confident that he explored all possible sources of the leak. Your business was recommended to me and I shall certainly recommend your company to any people I know who need water leakage detection." - Isabel Browne
"May I take this opportunity to thank you for the superb work Pilchers did at my house. Your guys were fantastic and the workmanship first rate. I would have no hesitation recommending Pilchers to anyone" - Tim Kernahan
“We have used both your leak diagnosis service and remedial contracting.
We had a very unusual problem and Pilcher & Edwards were able to think laterally and provide an innovative solution for us. I would recommend the services of Pilcher & Edwards because of your experience, professionalism and knowhow.” - Allen Realty 2005 Ltd
“I was referred to Pilcher & Edwards by a friend who had used your company in the past. We initially used the diagnostic service. This involved identifying and repairing various leaks and then house painting with the ‘Rubbaflex’ coating system. The result I was looking for was a good, practical, painstaking diagnosis and effective repair, all of which was delivered. Every problem is different but Pilcher & Edwards worked for us so I recommend you give them a go". - Warren and Elizabeth
“I contacted Pilcher & Edwards after moving from a 100 year old home in Devonport to a 12 year old apartment in Whangaparaoa. There were obvious signs of a water fault in the entrance overhang of the apartment. We wanted to be able to find and fix the cause of this problem. We used the services of Pilcher & Edwards for an on site inspection, on site testing and comprehensive reporting. This reporting was very suitable for myself and the Body Corporate.
Some of the reasons I chose to use Pilcher & Edwards was the quality of the initial response and the very clear explanation of integrity of tilt slab construction. Subsequently we had follow up with photographs and recommended courses of action and testing.
We had other trades people look at this leak and Pilcher & Edwards were the only people who would find the leak. We had also been advised that we needed to undertake a major repair job to our property to rectify this problem. The Pilcher & Edwards diagnostic approach identified the source of the leak as not being what was initially suspected. This saved us a significant amount of money and disruption that may have been spent carrying out extensive work that would not have fixed our problem.
By using Pilcher & Edwards I was able to overcome some serious concerns I had about purchasing an apartment of 12 years of age with one particular obvious weathertightness integrity problem. I recommend Pilcher & Edwards because they are honest, prompt and give full details on all our options. They give excellent advice and have a genuine interest in all facets of any work they do.” - Peter McHaffie
“We had roof leaking problems in the late 1990’s and were referred to Pilcher & Edwards by a client who had already used your services. We used your services over a number of years to repair roof leaks and also do work on lounge and bedroom decks membranes and garage wall. Pilcher & Edwards provide very professional workmanship and are good people to deal with. I never had any doubts about your expertise and advice. Over the years we have used the services of your staff we have been very satisfied with the work done and the calibre of your team. We have always appreciated how quickly you have responded to our calls.” - Dick & Jenny Vernon
CASE STUDIES
DOMESTIC HOME - BUCKLANDS BEACH
We were asked to look at a leakage issue in a domestic home. This had been a long term problem and the elderly owners had spent had a significant amount (approximately $10,000) on various contractors and repairs including a full deck membrane repair & work to deck balustrades. The leaks persisted !
Our initial inspection noted several possibilities for the leakage and we recommended a water-testing programme to prove the sources. The client agreed with our process, given the stresses and expenditure to date, and wanted some proof of the problem before digging into their pockets again. Our testing process had identified 4 different points of ingress, including faults in the previous repairs. We provided a quote for repairs based on our findings. The owners were very comfortable with the cost of the work given that the scope of work was based on known problems. This provided them with a degree of certainty rather than continuing with the previous hit and miss process of elimination and associated costs.
The work was subsequently carried out and has proved to be effective.
APARTMENT BLOCK - PONSONBY
We were approached by the Body Corporate of a large apartment complex. The owners were concerned about apparent leakage to all the rear decks in the complex. These decks had been completely rebuilt ($750K) some 3 years ago due to leakage issues and the Body Corporate had been battling with the contractors ever since. The owners believed that the decks were still leaking despite the work, however the contractors were unwilling to accept liability and they had been continuing to return and carry out ‘patch’ or ‘band-aid’ type repairs. The decks looked bad and the process was proving stressful for the owners.
We were asked to provide a report on the suspected deck leakage that they could take to the contractors to try to get some acknowledgement of the problem and actions on repairs.
Pilcher & Edwards Ltd carried out water testing diagnostic work and within one day we had identified the source of the failure. We provided a report to the Body Corporate that outlined our findings with respect to the problem and where the failures were. Our report was presented to the contractors who then agreed that there were problems and undertook to make good these issues.
APARTMENT COMPLEX - TAKAPUNA
The apartment complex had a history of leakage issues and the Body Corporate had registered the problems with the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS). The WHRS Assessor had started to compile a very comprehensive inspection report and the process required that leakage sources be identified through removal of interior linings and exterior cladding sections and various other disruptive investigation techniques.
There were a number of problems relating to masonry walls, leakage to below ground basement and carpark areas, and planter box/garden leakage. These issues were difficult to diagnose through the standard approach and the Assessor engaged Pilcher & Edwards Ltd to assist with the tracking and identification of these problems through our structured water testing approach.
We undertook our diagnostic work over a two-day period and identified the sources of the eight problems areas quickly, with little or no disruption to the building elements concerned, and we provided a report with definitive evidence of the problems. Our report was utilised by the assessor in his overall report on the building, and our results (as part of the overall report), were used by the Body Corporate to pursue their claim for remuneration from involved parties in the original construction.
Following the WHRS report the Property Managers for the complex engaged us to undertake various remedial activities based on the report including roofing repairs, installation of new waterproofing membranes and flashings work.
DOMESTIC HOME - REMUERA
We were referred to this client to inspect what appeared to be a very difficult problem relating to leakage to a basement area. The area in question was a games/rumpus room where a large section of the exterior walls were below ground level and water was penetrating the masonry walls and at the junction of the floor slab and walls. The owners had bought the property aware of the issue however the ramifications of the repair were unknown to them at this time, and the problem appeared to be getting worse.
They had received advice that the leakage could only be resolved through excavating the below ground areas to the footing and renewing the exterior below ground tanking membrane. This process would be very disruptive and difficult to achieve as the exterior around the room had concrete paths and a very large amount of excavation would have been required. In addition the rear wall of the room was backfilled and under the main house so excavation here would be nearly impossible.
During our inspection we also noted that the floor slab was actually a second slab poured over the original and the polythene water proofing under the new slab was turned up inside against the block wall allowing ground water to migrate up from under the slab. This was a very difficult problem as a standard repair would have required the slab to be removed to access the polythene underneath.
The owners did not want to carry out the excavation work suggested but rather were looking for a compromise option that would allow the leakage to be attended to with minimum disruption and the utility of the living space improved.
We provided a solution that involved the applications of a two-pot epoxy hydrostatic coating system to the interior walls and the junction of the floor slab and walls. Sandblasting was needed to remove the existing paint from the masonry sections however when compared to the alternative this was very acceptable. We then applied the coating system as recommended and the owners were very happy with the outcome. The leakage was resolved with a minimum of disruption and with very significant cost savings.
APARTMENT COMPLEX - WEST AUCKLAND
A Building Consultancy firm was involved in reporting on leakage to a large apartment complex. The Building surveyor carrying out the investigation was having some difficulty in diagnosing a long-term leak to one of the apartments. There were a number of possible sources including an internal membrane deck, deck balustrades, cladding and various roof flashing details. A comprehensive assessment was not possible through visual means alone and moisture readings also could not provide a definitive answer to the source of the ingress
The remedial approach was dependent of ascertaining the exact source of the water penetration, as the potential repairs for the various suspected details varied significantly in amount of work and cost. The aim was to avoid undertaking work that would not directly address the leak.
We attended the site and within just a few hours, our Technician has proved the leakage source through a structured water testing approach. The fault was not the obvious and our diagnostic approach and results allowed a scope of work to be proposed with confidence that the leakage would be addressed, and avoided unnecessary work being carried out.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING - PENROSE
A major Property Management company has leased a commercial building to a manufacturing business. This was a high value lease. Not long after occupation the tenants reported that there were multiple leaks occurring to large areas of the roof and this was placing the lease at risk.
The Property Managers approached us and asked us to look at what could be done to mitigate the leakage and placate the tenants. The building was 50 years old and the sawtooth roof was asbestos with very aged joinery and internal gutters. The owners medium term intention for the building involved major changes to the site and they were not keen on spending the large sums (well into six figures) required to re-roof the building.
We were asked to provide a maintenance proposal aimed at improving the performance of the existing roof through a process of identification of the leaks and localised repairs. To do this we liaised closely with the tenants and instigated a system were the tenants would report any leakage direct to us. We attended the site following every advice of leakage problems and accessed the roof area to identify the ingress points and undertaking target repairs to mitigate the problems. Repair works including maintenance of old timber joinery on the sawtooth roof, installation of waterproofing membrane to internal roof gutters, identification and replacement of a multitude of loose/missing roof fixings, cladding repairs and plumbing work to downpipes and outlets.
Following every inspection visit we reported in writing to the Property managers with our finding including digital photos of problems areas and recommended repairs. These reports allowed the Property Managers to make remedial decisions based on easy to understand reports with visual evidence of the problems. The large area of the roof concerned made identification of leaks difficult however our staff’s experience and ability in these areas, along with our ability to follow up with in-house contracting to repair the problems, was of great benefit to the owners. This allowed them continue to operate the building and address tenants concerns in a timely cost effective manner while avoiding the need for major costly work that didn’t fit with the future intentions for the property.
DOMESTIC HOME - NORTH SHORE
The owners of a monolithic clad townhouse had some significant problems. Due to the age of the property the large building firm who had constructed the home had agreed to assist in the resolution of the problems. There were a variety of problems and we were engaged by the builder to carry out an inspection of the building with view to identifying sources of water penetration to allow the builder to assess a remedial proposal for the owners.
We conducted an in depth program of diagnostic water testing in combination with close visual inspection. We also recommended the installation of the Moisture Detection Company Mdu Probe system. Using the information provide by the probes, and our own diagnostic processes we were able to identify the causative factors in all the issues that were shown to us, and reported on these to the builder. While there were numerous leaks, the actual causes were limited to several recurring faults with building details including joinery flashings, roof flashing details, and cladding penetrations.
A repair proposal was formulated and we carried out various work in conjunction with builder to make good the problem areas in the property. Subsequent readings of the probes system have shown that the previously wet areas have drying following the work. Where possible further problems have been signposted by rereading of the probe system, we have been able to return to the property, track and identify the fault and repair the problem.
The owners also wanted to take a proactive approach to maintaining their home and the exterior paint coating was a major concern for them. We were able to offer our Rubbaflex High Build coating system, a specialised elastomeric acrylic paint incorporating sealing of penetrations and attention to cladding cracks, as an excellent preventative maintenance option. This product is not commercially available and offers excellent elastomeric qualities, a high film build resulting in increased longevity, a scope of work that includes attention to weathertightness details rather than just ‘getting the colour on the wall, and colour matched to the existing house so no additional work ie. over coating is required.
APARTMENT COMPLEX - PARNELL
The owners of a high end apartment complex contacted Pilcher & Edwards to investigate problems of leakage into a pool plant room. The leakage had been a long term problem and was regularly flooding the plant room whenever it rained and causing corrosion to the plant equipment and unsightly damage to interior linings.
An architect had been involved and the suggestion was that the leakage issues were likely to be too difficult to readily repair on the exterior and the plant equipment would need to be removed and a compromise type internal repair would be the only remedial option.
On inspecting the area we noted a number of possible problems and suggested to the Body Corporate that some diagnostic work would be very useful in identifying the sources of leakage and this information would assist in deciding the remedial plan.
Our testing process identified five different sources of water penetration, all of which could be readily attended to without resorting to removal of the plant and a ‘patch-up' type repair. The architect acknowledged the findings in the report and endorsed our repair proposal. The work was carried out and the area is now dry and functional.
DOMESTIC HOME - ST HELIERS
The owner of a high value home was looking for a solution to problems appearing in the plaster cladding system of her home. The walls were generally in good condition and had a cavity system so there was no problem with leakage to the interior however the cracking occurring was detrimental to the aesthetic of the property.
We were able to offer the application of our own coating system ‘Rubbaflex’. We developed this product in conjunction with Rohm & Haas world industry leaders in polymer technology, and our formulation is not commercially available. Monolithic cladding system and masonry walls rely heavily on the ongoing integrity of the exterior coating system. The problem of cracking can be greatly mitigated through the application of an appropriate exterior coating system that incorporates, in addition to getting the paint on the surfaces, close attention to treating existing cracks and sealing of penetrations of the cladding system. Recoating of the cladding system is required typically every 5-7 years and high build elastomeric coatings are an excellent option where cracking is occurring. A high build coating has significantly increased tensile strength when compared to normal acrylic paint and has an enhanced ability to bridge existing cracking without failing. This type of coating is effective in mitigating visible cracking and giving much improved protection against the occurrence of further cracking. The product, being a high build system, will provide enhanced longevity and durability when compared to a standard acrylic paint system. We have examples of Rubbaflex continuing to perform in excess of 15 years. ‘Rubbaflex’ is made to colour sample as required and will provide the aesthetic finish of traditional paint while providing extra protection to the wall areas coated. The system is more than simply a coat of paint and is applied with an emphasis on attention to cracking and sealing of penetrations (unlike a ‘traditional’ paint job).
The house was coated with our product and the owner was very happy with the aesthetic outcome and also with the performance of the product. Our offer included an annual follow up inspection to ensure that any further problems relating to the exterior coating are noted and attended to, and the expected life of the coating is achieved.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING - GLENFIELD
The Managers of and industrial site had been having long term problems with leakage through the concrete block walls of the building. The blockwork was suffering badly from step cracking or the mortar lines in the blockwork and failure of the construction joints in the walls. Water was penetrating through the cracks in the coating resulting in unsightly blistering of the coating on the exterior of the wall and large sections were the paint was peeling off the wall. On the interior the moisture penetration was causing leakage down the walls (damaging stock and causing a H&S; problem for the staff and clients due to puddles on the floor area. The water was also causing blooms of efflorescence and discolouration on the interior paintwork, damaging the décor and the appearance of the walls.
The exterior wall had been repainted with traditional acrylic paint previously however the cracking had recurred and so had the associated problems. We inspected the area and recommended our Rubbaflex High build. Coating system. We developed this product in conjunction with Rohm & Haas world industry leaders in polymer technology, and our formulation is not commercially available. Rubbaflex is perfectly suited for application for blockwall where cracking is (or may be ) occurring.. The increased tensile strength of the product is able to bridge the cracking and prevent to coating from tearing, thus mitigating the problem of water leakage. The product, being a high build system, has a significantly higher film build than most standard acrylic paints and according will provide enhanced longevity and durability, a prospect which the owners of the commercial building found appealing.
During the work we also identified that the membrane gutter and wall capping at the top of the wall was allowing water penetration. We were able to reline the gutter and fit cappings while onsite negating the need for the owners to seek another contractor.
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