Pathology Flashcards
Tell me about the different types of survey you are aware of.
In terms of the RICS there are Level 1, 2 & 3 Home Survey, for other purposes there are building surveys, dilapidations, condition surveys, valuations, planned, preventative maintenance & defect diagnoses
Tell me about a typical defect you are aware of relating to typical buildings in your locality.
In Leeds it was very common to see a lot of issues related to condensation
Tell me about a building defect you are likely to encounter in a typical building survey.
Condensation is a very common defect, as is the DPC being bridged
Tell me about a type of testing you are aware of.
I am aware of speedy moisture testing to test the moisture content of bricks
What is a limitation of a test?
Depends on the test really, with Speedy’s, if the drill bit is hot, it could, in theory dry out any brick dust that it comes into contact with which would alter the results of the test.
If the sample is taken off site, it may have time to dry out, affecting the results
Tell me about your experience of using a damp meter.
I use this on a regular basis, using it to complete a moisture profile of a property or to find out if it is surface damp or not
Tell me about the different RICS Home Survey reports.
Level 1 - Describes the condition of the building, services and grounds, legal issues, risks to the building plus an assessment of the defects and their importance. Level 2 - Is an assessment of the main elements of the property and the condition of it’s elements plus the relative importance of the defects. Level 3 -Detailed assessment of the property, it shows the condition and importance of defects plus the scope of remedial work, priority and timescale for the work and an indication of the likely costs
When might a client instruct a Home Survey report?
Usually they do this when they are purchasing a property and want some further information not contained in the valuaiton report
Tell me about RICS guidance relating to one of the RICS Home Survey reports.
It was effective from November 2018, I sets out the mandatory requirements for the HomeSurveys, the different report levels and the typical content of the report and what the surveyor should be including in their report and how in depth each survey should be
Explain the changes made in the new Home Survey Standard.
It replaces the old Condition Report, Home Buyers report & Building Survey, it changes the old traffic light system to a 1-3 approach to give an indication of condition. It also combines it all into one set of guidelines. It also puts more emphasis onto the surveyor to be clearer about their findings, hopefully reducing failed transactions.
What RICS guidance relating to Home Surveys are you aware of?
RICS Home Survey Standards Professional Statement November 2019
How would you tailor your approach to building pathology and analysis in a level 1 / 2 / 3 report?
It would be much more detailed, so in level 1 it is a comment on the condition of the element only, so there is very little investigation, in level 2 the material defects are described and the risks of hidden issues listed so there is a deeper investigation, at level 3 it lists the form and construction, defects and performance characteristics so a good in depth look at the building and its elements is needed
What is following the trail of suspicion and what must you do in relation to this?
It is where there may be a defect or concern, it is then following the trail to find the cause and if it is linked to other defects. At all survey levels I have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to follow it and if necessary recommend further investigation or fully list out the trail and other recommendations as well as taking detailed site notes and photographs of my findings.
What relevant caselaw are you aware of?
Hart Vs Large where the trail of suspicion wasn’t fully followed and noted in the subsequent report
Tell me about condition ratings.
This is used in the HomeSurvey Reports where each element is inspected and discussed and then given a rating of 1-3 depending on it’s condition, 1 is good and not in need of work, 2 will need work at some point in the future and 3 needs immediate rectificaiton
What are the different types of condition ratings?
each element is inspected and discussed and then given a rating of 1-3 depending on it’s condition, 1 is good and not in need of work, 2 will need work at some point in the future and 3 needs immediate rectification
Explain your understanding of one of the condition ratings.
At number three, this is advising that a defect or element of the property is in need of urgent attention. It is a way of flagging a risk and giving it a rating to draw the clients attention to the urgency of the matter
What advice would you give further to a condition rating of 1/2/3?
It may include which type of professional to seek further advice from, or it may include more information on the defect and methods for rectification
When would a condition rating of NI be given?
Not inspected, where if for any reason an element wasn’t able to be inspected
What is an example of a serious/urgent defect?
Missing tiles to a roof, leading to an ongoing leak
How do you apply the condition ratings?
When I inspected a property for a level 3 I noted defects to the chimney stack, including poor pointing and cracked and spalling flauncing, meter readings to the chimney in the attic bedroom and ground floor living space showed that it was leaking, therefore I put this at level 3 and advised of the need for urgent repairs to the chimney by a roofing expert and replacement of the plaster to the chimney breast in all rooms
How do you identify the elements and sub-elements?
Dividing the property into it’s component parts, then looking at how they are put together, so I would look at the roof, ridge tiles, verges, bay roofs etc
How do you apply the relevant condition rating?
Depends on the element, I inspect, note my findings then apply the condition rating that best suits the element, so if it OK and doesn’t need attention then level one, if it will need attention but not right away level 2, if it needs something ASAP its level 3
How do you establish the element rating?
By using the element for the worst part (if there are sub-elements), if no remedial work is needed then level 1, if there is but it is not urgent because it is not causing an issue right now but could in the future then level 2, then level 3 is urgent. IE, more ventilation in the roof space is needed but no damp issues at present then its a level 2
When would you include costings in a report?
If it was a level 3 survey and this had been discussed with the client where advice was needed on a likely cost to rectify a defect and I had the appropriate knowledge to draw up a schedule,
It could be for planned replacement vs repair
When would the provision of costings need to be a separate service?
When this was not discussed in the original TOE’s
What types of foundations are you aware of and when might these be used?
Raft, strip, pile. Strip is the most common and traditional and can be used on relatively stable soils with good bearing capacity or where the structure is relatively light. Raft is usually used when there is a risk of differential settlement or the bearing capacity of the soil is lesser so the load needs to be spread. Pile is used when there is a need to transfer the load through less stable ground to hard bedrock below
What is the difference between a cold and warm roof?
On flat, warm roofs the insulation is on the outer surface of the roof structure, with the structure at the same temp as the rest of the building, a cold roof the insulation is below the roof deck. On a pitched warm roof, the insulation is usually in line with the rafters, cold roof its at the ceiling level
Tell me about your understanding of orientation/movement/timber defects/dampness/condensation/mould growth/asbestos/insulation/heating systems/water services/damp proof courses/rising damp/penetrating damp/roof and floor ventilation/external and internal decoration/cellars/roof space conversions/conservatories/porches/radon/EMF/mining/other environmental issues/Mundic.
Orientation - effects the solar gain of the property, wind and weather
Explain the key principles of the new RICS guidance relating to asbestos.
It discussed the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and how these can apply to surveyors, how surveyors can identify and mitigate the risks and what they are responsible for. It also looks at strategy principles for managing asbestos
What elements of the building might the new RICS guidance relating to asbestos affect?
The guidance note mentions common parts of multi-occupancy residential buildings, including converted houses. But it does also touch on the regulation that cover landlords responsibilities in private areas
What reasoned advice might you give as a result of Asbestos?
It would depend but usually I would advise clients to commision a refurb and demolition or management survey to confirm the presence of asbestos before undertaking any improvement work in the property
If carrying out an inspection of a concrete framed building, what are the visual indications of carbonation?
The concrete will usually spall and crack around the affected area of the reinforcing steel elements
How do you test for carbonation?
Using a phenolphthalein solution, it’s a solution, mixed with water and alchohol and sprayed onto the freshly cut surface of the concrete. If the solution goes pink you are OK, if it stays colourless then it confirms carbonation of the concrete
How can you repair carbonated concrete?
You need to expose the affected areas of the reinforcing steel, hacking off any other loose areas of concrete, descale them and clean them, then add an anti-corrosion coat to the steel, then you can replace the concrete
Do you have to repair carbonated concrete?
Yes, otherwise the steel will continue to corrode and expand and the situation and will worsen
In what age of building is carbonation most likely to appear?
It’s much more common when the steel is closer to the surface so had less concrete cover, which was most often done in the 50’s & 60’s
If carrying out an inspection of a concrete framed building, what are the visual indications of chloride attack?
Spalling and expansion of the concrete, caused by the reinforcing steel expanding
How do you test for chloride attack?
By silver nitrate testing on the concrete sample to detect if white precipitate appears
How does carbonation differ to chloride attack?
Carbonation can occur with additives put into the concrete during manufacture which were used to speed up the drying process