Priory Centre, Downham Market Flashcards
What was the construction of the office in Downham Market?
Concrete frame infilled with concrete blocks and brick cladding panels
What was the age?
Early 2000’s - checked client records
What did the damp look like?
- Musty smell
- Plywood which boxed in the pipes were severely decayed
- Damp stains had spread horizontally on to adjoining walls
- The plaster was spalling.
Why did you think it was a leak?
Because of where it was located.
The main source appeared to be from the boxed area next to the toilet, which contained pipes.
I also ruled out rising damp because the toilet was located on the first floor.
What did your client do following your advice?
A contractor was instructed to determine the cause and to provide a remedy.
What was the cause?
It was a water heater where the overflow hadn’t been connected and the ball valve failed, which resulted in the water heater overflowing.
What did he do after the contractor determined the cause?
The water heater was replaced, and then my client allowed the area to ‘dry out’ before redecorating.
What impact did the leak have on marketing?
I advised my client to delay marketing until the issue had been remedied so that it did not deter interest.
What other forms of damp are you aware of?
- Rising damp
2. Condensation
Why is damp a problem?
- Can cause respiratory issues if breathed in for long periods
- Can cause structural issues
How did you know it was concrete frame?
Client records
Also had more columns, shorter floor heights and shorter spans.
