Paula Quigley                 B00343872

        You have been asked to undertake a building survey of a large semi-detached Victorian style domestic dwelling. The building is two storeys with a two storey bay window to the front living space and bedroom above. It is of brick construction with solid external walls. It has a suspended timber ground floor in the living room which incorporates the bay window. There have been complaints from the residents that the ground floor construction in this room exhibits signs of ‘springing’ at the junction of the floor with the front external wall particularly in the region of the bay window.

The starting point of any survey should be the assessing of information that already exists within plans and other documentation relating to the property and site e.g. age of property, size and characteristics. The topography of the site must be assessed. It must also be ensured that all equipment required is brought along; according to the RICS the are a number of standard pieces of equipment required to carry out a preliminary inspection:  

  • A4 Clipboard: - This is required as a firm base for the sketching and note paper used to record the survey information.

  • Digital Camera: – To record appearance at time of the survey.

  • Steel Tape (5m & 30m) - These are used to carry out a measured survey of the building or to record measured details of various elements within the building.

  • Torch: - A robust torch allows the surveyor to see into dark confined areas such as roofspaces or underfloor areas.

  • Hammer and Bolster: - To lift floorboards to inspect the underfloor areas etc.

  • Extending Ladder - A folding ladder that extends to a minimum length of 3m

  • A Penknife - Is used when inspecting wooden surfaces or to scrape at loose materials.

  • Moisture Meter - This is used to assess the moisture content of timber and plaster.

  • A PH reagent – This is used to access the PH vale of timber.  

  • Screwdrivers – These are vital if the surveyor is trying to access an area that has been screwed closed or also to probe suspect timber for rot.

  • Spirit Level (1m): – For checking of slopes in roofs and floors.  

This list is not exhaustive of the equipment required to take on a survey as protective gear and specialised electronic equipment etc. can all be required depending on the particular situation encountered. Although a surveyor has at their disposal many tools they have two important tools: SIGHT and SMELL. Before carrying out the survey a checklist should be made of the main elements that need to be assessed to enable a list of any defects found to be compiled.

After ensuring all of the above are in place, a visual inspection of the property should be carried out. A typical inspection should follow a logical order, starting at the top externally (the chimneystacks) and work down to the foundations and then assess the property internally from the roof void to ground level or below if access is available. However due to the fact we have been informed that the defect is confined to the front of the property, we can focus on that area. The first point that I would visually inspect would be the external elements of the building looking at:

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  • Roof Structure/coverings – I would be looking at the ridgeline to try and spot any sagging/deflection in the roof, trying to identify the condition of the pointing, flaunching, brickwork and flashings and soakers of the main roof and also the roof of the two storey bay window. Also I would insepect the type of roof covering and any form of deterioration including broken or missing ridge tiles

  • Windows – I would inspect the windows to ascertain if they are structurally sound, the type of window and glazing i.e. Timber framed/UPVC, single/double glazed.

 

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