Posts Tagged ‘Proinspect’

If you want the best, call us and expect a lengthy conversation!

078 3636 3040

email: stuart@proinspect.co.uk

mail:

PROinspect Consultancy

Knowsley House, Hoe Road

Bishops Waltham, Southampton,

If you would like to get in touch with us via email, please fill in the contact form on the right hand side.

Remember – the more specific your data to us, the more we can prepare before we call you back (thus saving you time).

We look forward to working with you: Stuart Parrett

.

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert_bio=Stuart_Parrett

http://uk.linkedin.com/in/stuartparrett

http://twitter.com/SurveyAuthority

NEED ADVICE?

Try the SEARCH Box facility (below, left), click on an Article Heading (below, left) or simply read on….

• BUILDING SURVEYS with or without VALUATION advice
• HOME VALUATIONS by an RICS Registered Valuer
  
• HOMEBUYER REPORTS or SELLER SURVEYS
• AUCTION or QUICK-WALK-THROUGH Appraisals
  
• Update your BUILDING INSURANCE SUM INSURED
• Is DAMP REALLY DAMP or actually CONDENSATION as a result of your lifestyle?
• Is that CRACK the beginnings of SUBSIDENCE?
• Divorce or Negligence Court-Compliant EXPERT WITNESS Reports/Valuations.

Hello, I’m Stuart Parrett. I am a truly independent, knowledgeable and experienced Chartered Surveyor and housing specialist. I am in the PEOPLE and HOMES Business where Information Discovery is all important.

I survey homes for faults and worth/value but it is not what I do but HOW that separates PROinspect from competitor surveyors.

THE HOUSE DOCTOR IS IN:

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

SOMETHING of VALUE for you —-

1-  COMING SOON – WATCH THIS SPACE – Inspection4 Ltd, a new way of instructing a residential Surveyor/Valuer, a new service level, a new concept; aimed at delivering prompt, targeted and impartial advice and opinion BUT staying with you through your complete association with any particular property. i4 will not “survey and go”: look on us as your in-house Property Adviser and Resource.

PROinspect Consultancy will be working in close association with Inspection4 Ltd and network of Chartered Surveyors, and others, throughout England. Those interested, if you are experienced, pro-active and commercially aware, should send a CV to Stuart Parrett at inspection4@proinspect.co.uk without delay.

2-  CONDENSATION SEASON IS UPON US – have you looked in the back of the wardrobe recently or in “that corner”?

Cold = drop in dew point = cold surfaces will attract condensate: Quick Fix – create airflows and reduce the amount of vapour in the air. Longer Term Fix = Raise the wall temperature by lining it with XXXX; properly kill off mould spores; introduce sensors that apply venting or temperature changes to the environment. Simple.

What often works is opening the window for as long as possible during and after sleeping/baths/showers/cooking (this removes water vapour that then cannot condense on your clothes and walls). You loose heat during this process and so you need to learn how to achieve these goals intelligently without icicles forming on your nose.

For more information on me, my CV etc… – click here and scroll down. Alternatively, look me in the eye by watching a short VIDEO – CLICK HERE. TheHouseSurveyor at YouTube will also deliver several important messages for those looking to purchase or those you wish to become Residential Surveyors and/or Valuers.

Those who have kindly provided testimonials for me say that I can be considered a safe pair of hands, somebody who is a real communicator and a provider of detailed and robust opinions.

Good reasons for using me in the central south coast area include that I take the time to listen to you and then help you make the right choice of survey product and have it completed at the right time. After this I genuinely communicate with you and don’t simply mail a report to you and that is it. No, I am always available for questions and meetings because you need to be re-assured your purchase is both a wise investment and you are not buying a problem.

I protect the biggest investment you’ll ever make in your life – your home – and I work with you every step of the way…..

I’ve brought together a lot of valuable information to help you organise property problems, alterations, private surveys and other services surrounding ownership, maintenance, sales, purchases and Expert Witness Reports.

CALL ME for a free chat and advice on 078 3636 3040 —

• THE GOLDEN RULES OF SELF-PROTECTION DURING HOME BUYING =

1. When your “offer” has been accepted make sure you already have a loan deal secured in principle
2. Make sure you DO NOT agree to a combined Loan Valuation and Private Survey
3. Actually speak to a Surveyor (PROinspect down south) – do not accept an Assistant or a Secretary
4. Find out your Survey Product options, fee costs and the manner in dealing with any special concerns you have
5. Do not fall for quick deals or “linked” services often packaged by costly middlemen Agencies.

STUART PARRETT

.

Browse the site and when you’re ready to ask for advice give me a call or fill in the Form on the right. To get the best out of us you need to be briefed as to your options, survey costs and a lot more. As a starting point be as specific as you can as to what you need from us – use the CONTACT FORM (top right on your screen): EG: Detached house – perhaps 50 years old – £400,000 agreed – Building Survey with Valuation needed – being sold by XXX Estate Agents.

PROinspect are led by Stuart Parrett who has an unrivalled pedigree as a specialist Home Surveyor of over 35 years Hampshire experience.

If you wish to read even more of my views on a host of house and survey matters go to ezinearticles.com by clicking of the above icon. Or follow me at Twitter (@SurveyAuthority).

ARCHIVE ARTICLE EARLY 2009

TWO DIFFERING AREAS THAT ARE CLIMBING

THE ‘CONCERN” LADDER WITH INCREASING RAPIDITY

.

Modern Roof Trusses (prefabricated timber roof frames):

Adapted from an article at this website – http://www.building.co.uk/

PROinspect comment that the status-quo surrounding your own home WHEN IT WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT does not now exist. Climate-change and other factors have impacted in a way that is only now becoming invasive. Does/did your roof design factor in current wind patterns and strengths, rainflow patterns/amounts, snow-loading, wind suction caused by new dwellings/trees now close to your home?

Building site storage conditions plus the degree of construction knowledge by (and supervision of) Installers are prime determinants of quality when considering roof condition and suitability.

Truss Manufacturers’ instructions must be strictly followed (and made available to site operatives). All bracing is to be fully installed and multiple truss connections completed as set out in manufacturers’ details.

All structural timbers should be stress graded and marked KD (kiln dry) or DRY. Timbers must be preservative treated in areas where House Longhorn Beetle is a problem (a problem that is “notifiable” to your Local Authority).

“Good Design” is codified and is demonstrated by finding “good detailing” such as the following:-

• Roof bracing should be twice nailed every truss.
• Diagonal bracing should be fixed at an angle of between 35° and 50° and fixed not only to the trusses but also to the wall plate. Overlaps should be carried over at least two trusses.
• Longitudinal bracing should be positioned tightly to abut separating and gable walls.
• Chevron bracing should be installed where the span of the roof exceeds 8 m.
• Seek confirmation from the roof designer that a trussed-rafter roof design can support water storage tanks. The use of bearer beams and supports fixed with moisture-resistant plywood or OSB sheet material used for the platform should form tanks stands. The tank bearers should be sited as close as possible to the node points and bear across a minimum of four trusses.
• Lateral restraint is needed on gable masonry. Lateral restraining straps and associated noggings must be fixed to roof truss rafters and ceiling cords at 2 m centres across three trusses. For cavity masonry, the straps should project and fit tightly on the outside face of the inner leaf of blockwork.

PROinspect have found that problems are often associated with condensation (often because of ill-advised “thermal” or “loft-conversion” improvements), DIY project “improvements” or where too much has been stored in the loft space.

Dry Rot and Wet Rot – a Surveyor nightmare?

Adapted from an article upon the website of the WOOD PROTECTION ASSOCIATION.

Dry rot and wet rot can affect buildings of all ages and if decay is discovered it should be identified and remedial action taken without delay. Such problems are often detected as soon as new home owners move-in because this is the first, and often the only, time when the home is empty of coverings, possessions and furniture. Often decay affects flooring that can spread behind plasterwork and other claddings, often undetected for many years.

An Owner “best defense” option is to annually inspect your home with a critical eye and to pro-actively maintain, paying close attention to the smaller details. The following notes may help you help yourself:-

Fungal decay occurs in timber that becomes wet for some time and is the result of the attack by one of a number of wood-destroying fungi. The most well known are Serpula lacrymans the True dry rot fungus; Coniophora puteana the Cellar fungus and Poria vaillantii the Pore or Mine fungus.

Many other fungi also occur and some have recently been particularly linked with decay in door and window frames.

Fungal decay always arises because the wood has become wet, about 20 per cent moisture content. This can be accelerated by limiting essential ventilation and creating dark/dank conditions.

Finding the source of dampness, eliminating the ingress of moisture and promoting drying is always necessary. However, the main problem facing those asked to investigate such matters is lack of adequate access to flooring – without clearly furniture and lifting fitted floor coverings Surveyors can easily miss signs of decay unless there is a strong trial of disturbance elsewhere such as springy flooring (when walked upon), wall dampness staining (disturbed plasterwork?), fruiting-bodies on closeby visible joinery etc…

Therefore the best defense potential buyers have is the service of an experienced Inspector. It is for this exact reason that PROinspect strongly advise buyers to separate Loan Valuations from Private Surveys to ensure YOU control what expertise is employed on your behalf.

Common Causes of Dampness in Buildings

The first step after discovering fungal decay is to make a careful inspection of the building to find how and where the water is entering. The defect permitting access of moisture must be treated and further entry prevented and the area dried out.

External Inspection – will an Inspector have free, uninterrupted access to all elements/areas?

The Roof

1. Blocked or misaligned gutters, especially in the hidden valleys of the roof.

2. Defective surfacing to valley gutters and flat roofs.

3. Missing, broken, displaced or loose tiles or slates.

4. Faulty flashings around chimneys and parapet walls.

The Walls

1. Excessive deterioration of mortar in brickwork joints.

2. Faulty or missing damp-proof course.

3. Bridging over the damp-proof course by soil in flower beds, plinths, etc.

4. Blocked air-bricks.

5. Cracked or broken pipes, both water-pipes and waste pipes.

6. Faulty flashing around window frames (inc. throats to cills).

7. Continued function of overflow from cisterns or water tanks.

Ivy or other climbing plants may hide many of the above faults and roots may undermine foundations causing breaks in damp-courses.  Roots of nearby trees may cause similar damage to foundations and damp-courses (and drains).

Internal Inspection – will an Inspector have free, uninterrupted access to all elements/areas?

Look for the evidence of moisture penetration where outside inspection has identified faults. In addition a number of potential causes of dampness will not be visible from the outside:

1. Solid stone or concrete floors with wooden skirtings and/or covered with timber where the         impervious membrane is punctured or of poor quality or where no membrane is fitted.

2. Condensation – this may be caused by:

a) unlagged steam pipes, especially under floors;

b) steam condensate, particularly in wet process factories;

c) high atmospheric moisture from normal bathroom and kitchen usage. This is especially important in uninsulated and/or poorly ventilated buildings and is the cause of much window joinery decay (sometimes self-inflicted because we do not open windows OR turn-off extractor-vent devices!).

3. Trapping of flood-water in under-floor space and over concrete.

4. Old toilets, either from fracture of the pan or, more commonly, from deterioration of old lead and sacking joints connecting the flushing water-pipe to the pan.

5. Close-fitting linoleum or vinyl flooring laid over unventilated or imperfectly ventilated wooden floors.

6. Ill-vented loft spaces (often due to over-insulating by Owners OR simply because of poor design).

Adequate sub-floor ventilation is vital and careful attention must be given to clearing blocked air vents (at the base of perimeter exterior walls) or air-holes in sleeper walls (brick support walls under mid-span of ground floor timbers). Dead air pockets in such unlit areas favours fungal decay and should be eliminated.

Steps must be taken to dry out existing dampness and to prevent further entry of water in addition to the eradication of the fungus and repair of damage caused. This is an invasive, damaging process that is both costly and a long process and one that is not normally covered by Building Insurances.

PROinspect comment that, especially with older or complex buildings, it is essential that clients talk to their chosen Surveyor: that person must assess what inspection problems he/she may be faced with and advise the client that perhaps specialist access equipment will be needed; seller permissions may also be required as limited damage may be created in this process.

By letting “others” instruct Surveyors on your behalf you are not getting the best for your money and this may cost you greatly when/if repairs are discerned at a later date.

Remember, always separate the Loan Valuation inspection/product from your private survey needs.