The Property Care Association, the trade body representing Northern Ireland's building preservation industry, has created a specialist panel of experts to support the public with detailed technical queries.

Matters relating to damp-proofing and timber preservation, as well as structural waterproofing and structural maintenance, will be addressed by the new technical panel.

Each year, the PCA fields thousands of calls from homeowners requesting information on issues including flood repair advice, comprehensive home buyer property surveys and details of waterproofing basements.


Stephen Hodgson, deputy director of the Property Care Association (PCA), said: "Most technical enquiries are dealt with by PCA staff.

"However, sometimes the request can be particularly complex and specialist advice is necessary. The appointment of the new panel brings together a broad range of expertise from all areas of our industry for the benefit of the consumer."

The PCA, formerly the BWPDA, is a member of TrustMark, the scheme supported by Government to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

It offers a Scotland wide list of contractor members who are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once admitted to the Association. Benefits for consumers also include the choice of a long-term FSA regulated specialist insurance policy for works carried out.

(GK/JM)