Hygroscopic salts and Hygroscopicity!
Last year I visited a property with several issues contributing to dampness in the third floor attic room chimney. The client who had instructed a roofing contractor to undertake repairs had been monitoring the problem themselves by drawing around the visible damp stains with a pencil to evaluate whether or not this was a developing […]
Critiquing Section 10(4) of the Party Wall Act: An Open Door to Abuse
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is designed to provide a clear framework for resolving disputes that arise when building works affect shared walls, boundary walls, or excavations near neighbouring properties. While the intention behind the Act is commendable, Section 10(4) has come under scrutiny for being susceptible to misuse. This section, which addresses the […]
Residential Freehold vs Leasehold
Freehold and leasehold are two different types of property ownership. They have distinct implications regarding ownership, rights, responsibilities, and control over the property. Freehold Ownership Definition: Freehold ownership means that the owner owns the building and the land on which it stands outright, indefinitely. The ownership is “free from hold” of any entity other than […]
Drones for flat roof inspection
A survey of a flat roof involves more than a visual inspection of the roof surface. Knowledge of the type and condition of underlying substrate of insulation layers, vapour control and deck material are necessary to form a comprehensive survey report. A visual inspection of the surface cannot provide this level of information and since a drone […]
What Type of Survey Do I Need? – Why We Only Offer RICS Level 3 Building Surveys on ‘Traditional’ Homes…
When it comes to surveying homes, the type of survey we recommend greatly depends on the age and construction of the property. For what we consider ‘traditional’ buildings, we exclusively offer Level 3 Building Surveys. Here’s why… What Do We Mean by ‘Traditional’ Buildings? A traditional building typically refers to those constructed before 1919. This […]
