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…
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,…
Damp and the importance of maintaining lead flashing
During a recent survey of a property in Crewkerne signs of damp were identified within the house. On one wall the stain was directly below the abutment between the roof to the extension and rear main wall elevation. It is…
Bay window movement
On occasions we see a bay window which has moved in relation to the main building. Recently we noticed evidence of historical structural movement to the front bay window structure of a property. It is likely the front bay window…
Non-Conventional Construction
We were recently asked to survey a bungalow in Charmouth. We soon discovered that the construction of the original part of the property was non-conventional. In this case construction was old basic timber frame construction (timber studwork approximately 4 inches…
Listed Buildings
We often carry out Building Surveys on properties which are Grade II Listed as a result of their architectural and historical importance. This Listing includes a number of obligations and restrictions on the owner/occupier. Alterations to Listed buildings are not…
Is Asbestos a Problem?
When carrying out a survey of a property built prior to 2000 we would assume that there is likely to be some asbestos content in parts of the building e.g. textured coatings, old fittings, roofing materials, etc. Asbestos is a…