Building Pathology Flashcards
How do you record information during an inspection?
Inspection information is recorded using the following:
Dictaphone
Notepad
Camera
What can be the causes of dry rot/wet rot?
Water penetration due burst pipes Water ingress due to roof defects or poor workmanship Poor ventilation Rising damp Flood.
How would you recommend rectifying this?
In conjunction with BRE digest 245 stop source of moisture and promote rapid drying through heating and ventilation.
What can be the causes of cracking in an external wall?
Settlement Subsidence Heave Different Settlement Wall Tie Failure
How would you investigate this further?
If cavity construction through use of boroscope into cavity.
Check surrounding areas and boundaries re heave and tree removal
Settlement likely after new construction
Telltales to determine if movement live or historic.
Can you identify different sources you may use to assist you with diagnosing the cause of a defect?
Boroscope Thermal Imaging Moisture mapping Electronic leak detection CCTV survey (drains)
Describe 4 different types of damp and differences in diagnosis.
Penetrating Damp
Rising Damp
Condensation
(Traumatic Damp)
What set procedures did you undertake when carrying out the dampness surveys in Glasgow?
External inspection, surrounding areas (boundaries) and internal. Spoke with occupier to determine facts as to when the issue began or determining factors i.e burst pipe etc. Carried appropriate PPE and inspection tools.
Can you talk me through the detail contained within your reports in order to substantiate your findings?
The report included external observations, internal observations and key findings, photograph schedule, conclusion and recommendations for repair with budget cost.
What steps did you take prior to visiting a property?
Carried out a desktop survey to ascertain the age of property, construction type, assess existing plans and drawings and photographs supplied by the owner.
Can you give me a specific example of a time when you have consulted with other sources to confirm your findings??
On an inspection of Japanese knotweed to a the grounds of a tenemant I instructed a specialist to inspect and advise on treatment method. It did turn out to be JK and treatment options were provided.
Describe the typical signs of wall tie failure, explain causes and describe remedies?
Externally typical cracking to brickwork every 6 courses. Internal cracking. Causes - corrosion to wall tie due to water penetration to cavity. Expands up to 4 times its original size causing damage to brickwork. Remedies - retrofit new ties, mechanical ties, inflatable sock ties, resin ties.
Describe Japanese Knot weed, identification issues and
remedies?
Invasive species, classed as a controlled waste under the Environmental Act 1990 and must be disposed of in licensed site. Can cause displacement to boundary walls, drains, buried services, shallow foundations. Identified by visual inspection - hollow stem with raised purple nodes, broad heart shaped leaf and in the summer creamy flower with spike formation. Remedies - Excavation Biological treatment Chemical treatment Onsite burial.
How does a protimeter work and how is a calibrated for different materials?
Protimeter moisture meter work by sending an electrical signal between two pin probes. The device is calibrate for timber so will give a wood moisture reading equivalent to a %.
Did you carry out any research prior to visiting site?
Carried out desktop survey to establish: Age of construction Type of Construction Access Existing Plans Photographs
