The rush to buy a new home in the country
Ever since Lockdown 1 was eased in June 2020 there has been a mad rush to leave the City and buy into the rural idyl of the South West, but will this last or will it all come crashing down…
Room hanging in mid-air!
On a recent Level 3 Building Survey in Lyme Regis the surveyor discovered that the bathroom was suspended over the river at the back of the building! He said “The external main walling to the rear extension comprises timber clad…
Condensation in the roof void
Now that winter is here and temperatures are dropping, it is important to check your roof void for condensation. On a recent home survey at a relatively modern semi-detached house our surveyor found evidence of condensation to the underside of…
Could dogs be the future of Japanese knotweed detection?
The RFA who specialises in security, explosive detection and search dog training has successfully trained two dogs that can detect Japanese knotweed. These dogs have been provided to a UK company that specialises in the detection of Japanese knotweed and…
Finlock Gutters
Finlock gutters were commonly used during the 1960s and are very much of their time and in most cases are now past their time as well. The gutter system was intended to be a combined cavity closer, lintel and gutter…
Japanese Knotweed
Whilst doing a survey of a property in Yeovil our surveyor noted that there was an established growth of injurious weeds, in particular Japanese knotweed. Japanese knotweed has become a significant issue and in some cases affects saleability and value…
Windows & Fire Safety
On a recent Building Survey at a barn conversion near Chard, the surveyor was concerned that the windows at first floor level did not provide adequate egress/escape in case of fire and emergency. The first floor windows were considered too…
Spray Foam Insulation
Our surveyor recently did an ISVA HomeSurvey on a 1980’s property near Sherborne. When he inspected the roof space he was dismayed to find that the underside of the main roof covering was hidden from view. In recent times, a…
Replacement roof coverings
Our surveyor recently visited a property near Lyme Regis which was of mixed construction and immediately noticed that there was a problem with the roof which appeared to be undulating (see photo). The roof was covered with a concrete interlocking…
Pitch Fibre Drains
When recently carrying out a Building Survey on a Grade II Listed flat in West Bay the cover to the drainage chamber was lifted and pitch fibre drainage pipes were discovered. Pitch fibre drainage pipes were introduced in the 1940s,…