Defect Survey
A defect survey is, as it sounds, a survey of the causes of a specific defect(s) affecting your property whether it is a structural failure or fault or some other defect. It requires a methodical approach with an examination and measurement, where necessary, of the visible symptoms and an in-depth investigation to determine the
cause(s) and provide clear recommendations for its remedy or repair including the appropriate materials to use.
cause(s) and provide clear recommendations for its remedy or repair including the appropriate materials to use.
Knowledge and training in traditional construction is vital
It isn't enough to be able to recognise a crack in a wall or a damp patch on a chimney breast or woodworm flight holes on a skirting, it is necessary to have the requisite background training in construction where a knowledge of building pathology, how buildings fail, is vital to be able to correctly assess a structure or defect where something has gone wrong.
Often the pathology requires an understanding of the various changes that the building has undergone, so identifying and assessing different materials which may lie below the surface where the symptoms are visible. That knowledge doesn't come easily so the next time your helpful neighbour, work colleague, joiner or plumber guides you towards specific work or treatments - remember they are not trained in building pathology.
A crack through render on a gable wall may appear to be subsidence but is commony caused by thermal movement in the chimney flue causing the brittle cement render to crack and fail. Without this knowledge, you may be persuaded to have expensive and unecessary work carried out.
Often the pathology requires an understanding of the various changes that the building has undergone, so identifying and assessing different materials which may lie below the surface where the symptoms are visible. That knowledge doesn't come easily so the next time your helpful neighbour, work colleague, joiner or plumber guides you towards specific work or treatments - remember they are not trained in building pathology.
A crack through render on a gable wall may appear to be subsidence but is commony caused by thermal movement in the chimney flue causing the brittle cement render to crack and fail. Without this knowledge, you may be persuaded to have expensive and unecessary work carried out.