Building Pathology - Flash Cards - L2
Halifax CS - How is penetrating damp identified?
Through the movement of moisture through a building material.
Halifax CS - How did you identify that penetrating damp from the rainwater good entering the building at the Halifax condition survey?
External inspection, rainwater goods were in a poor condition and leaking at joins and had plant growth.
External brickwork facade was saturated in the area shown by discoloration.
Damp staining to the walls - building age suggested solid wall construction.
Rain water good had been leaking due to build up of green algae externally and that this part of the building was disused.
Halifax CS - What age was building at the Halifax condition survey?
The building was estimate to be constructed in the late 1800s as a Victorian period property due to its features.
Halifax CS - What test could you have done to identify the damp?
Damp meter / carbide meter.
Halifax CS - What was the construction type of the building?
Due to the era of the building being Victorian and the external facade being brickwork, it is assumed that the build up was a solid brick wall.
Halifax CS - When were cavity walls introduced?
Within the 19th century circa 1920.
Halifax CS - Where was the wet rot identified?
Timber sash windows - identified for 2 reasons, lack of preventative maintenance & leaking rainwater goods were saturating some of the windows.
Halifax CS - What is wet rot?
Fungal decay which affects timber with a high moisture contact around 50 - 60%. Identified by soft / spongey timber with a whit / black fungus and a musty smell.
Halifax CS - What did you recommend to reduce further defects?
Rectification of leaking guttering, heating and ventilation, replacement of timber window.
David Barker, CS - Why was the flat roof not draining?
Blocked drainage, debris build up on the roof.
David Barker, CS - How was the water penetrating the brickwork?
Rising above the 150mm upstand of the roof covering, saturating the brickwork and breaching within the cavity wall.
David Barker, CS - What additional investigation would you recommend?
CCTV drainage survey, cavity survey using bore scope to assess condition.
David Barker, CS - What regular maintenance would be recommended?
Regular clearance of roof debris to ensure that the drainage does not block.
Manor Place, CS - How did you identify that the mould growth was caused by condensation?
Washing facilities had no windows, mechanical extraction was not working, no where for the moist air to extract therefore building up on existing surfaces as condensation and then forming mould.
Manor Place, CS - How did you know the mechanical extraction was not being maintained?
The grills were covered din build up and were not turning on when requested.
