Project Description

Introduction
Hawthorn Estates were commissioned in early April 2016 to complete a refit on a commercial building in the Town Centre of Padiham, Lancashire.
This commercial building was subjected to severe flooding early in 2016, resulting in the ground floor being covered in two feet of water after a river overflowed.

Customer
The contracted work consisted of removing and replacing carpets and fixtures; the unit also required treatment for exposed flooring, timbers and the lower staircase. In addition, the removal of a wheelchair lift caused further work as the motor was submerged in water, causing it to drop and damage the ceiling.

Health and Safety
Much of the works were done in a damp atmosphere, de-humidifiers were made available in the shop front, along with space heaters, helping to dry out the unit.
Due to the damage caused by the flood, the window cill and support frame needed to be removed and refitted. This subframe supported the window and needed careful construction in sections because it was an entire shop window.
Hawthorn Estates installed a membrane to allow airflow behind the timber studs, and new insulation was fitted in before plaster-boarding for the damaged walls.
All wood that was installed had been treated to prevent future wet and dry rot.

Tenants
The previous tenants installed a wheelchair lift that seemed to be damaged by the flooding. On further inspection, it came to our attention the lift had been left on the first floor and dropped, causing damage.
Over time the lift sank with the access door open. This caused the access door to catch on the upper ceiling joist.
Hawthorn Estates removed the lift, and the access gap was then sealed and plastered over.
The property had been unoccupied for over a year and is now fully occupied as a gallery.