Inspection Flashcards
How to identify Japanese knotweed
Bamboo like stems up to 3m tall
Large triangular leaves - reddish purple, in autumn yellowy gold
Small white Flowers in late summer and autumn
Where can Japanese knotweed be removed
Under Environmental Protection Act 1990 - classes as ‘controlled waste’ so must be disposed of in designated waste areas
Levels of home survey
Level 1 - Home Survey
Level 2 - Home Condition Survey
Level 3 - Building survey
Act for Party Walls
Part Wall Act 1996
Act allowing access to neighbours property for emergency repairs
Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992
Home surveys - how does report/rating work
3 = serious urgent defects
2 = defects need repairing
1 = no defects needing repair
Will inspect different aspects individually
4 types of common building foundation
- Trench/ strip footings
- Raft
- Piled
- Pad
THINK TRIP - trip on floor….
Building periods
1710 - 1840 = Georgian
1837 - 1901 = Victorian
1900-1920 = Edwardian
1930s Housing
2 types of brick walls
- Solid wall construction
- Cavity wall construction
Inherent vs latent defect
Inherent - defect in the materials
Latent - not present immediately/ hidden flaws
3 most common resi defects
- Movement/settlement - caused by subsidence, heave (ground expansion) and ground movement. Causes cracking
- Damp - wet rot vs dry rot, rising damp (to 1.5m), condensation, leaks
- Defecting materials
Dry vs wet rot
Both attack timber
Dry =
Needs 15% moisture. Worse than wet. Identified by brown timber. fungal attack, causing mushroom like fungus, red spores, strong smell and can cause timber to crack. If left untreated the timber will crumble. Can spread through plaster and neighbouring walls. Can cause structural issues
Wet rot =
Needs 25% moisture. damp and timber decay due to damp. Can cause fungal attack.
Act for contaminated substances
Environmental Protection Act 1990
How to value contaminated land and possible options
Value = once specialist report produced, deduct remediation cost from gross site value
Options = ‘land remediation relief’ tax relief when removing contaminated materials
What is a deleterious material
One which degrades with age
Examples - cement, wood wool shuttering, calcium chloride
Common defects for concrete frame buildings
Cracking, spalling, blistering
High chlorine content concrete can react with reinforced steel
Can cause water infiltration
Types of brickwork cracking and causes
Horizontal - cavity wall tie failure
Step/diagonal - ground movement
Vertical - masonry expansion/movement
Law for conservation areas
Civic Amenities Act 1996
Victorian property defects
Shallow foundations causing movement and cracking
Mass produced so poor material and workmanship
Slenderness of chimney ratio
What is the cracking scale
1-5 categories of cracks
1&2 = up to 5mm, aesthetic and require decorative fix
3&4 = 5mm-25mm ‘serviceability’ issues
5 = larger than 25mm indicate possible structural cracks
Purpose of the Japanese Knotweed and Resi Property paper and what did it update
To update previous 2012 paper. Key change - previously if JK was seen within 7m of adjoining land then a surveyor must notify a mortgage lender. Now this is reduced to 3m. Basically JK can be closer now to the land being surveyed.
To help surveyors who encounter JK in their work
Will help surveyors to assess the actual extend of JK issue and how they should advise appropriately
How to spot and remedy JK
Notes it is a ‘controlled waste’ under the environmental prospection act 1990
What is RAAC and what are the issues?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
Lifespan of 30 years used in late 20th c so not safe anymore
Common resi construction types
Masonry - solid or cavity wall
Timber frame
Steel and concrete frame - can be used together
Modern methods - pre-fabricated/modular
Fine for JK - act and amount
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Up to £5000 for individuals, unlimited fines for businesses
Plus up to 2 years in prison
