The Survey

We are full members of the BWPDA (the British Wood Preserving and Damp Association) also know as the PCA (Property Care Association). To qualify as a member the majority of its remedial surveyors must be CSRT qualified (Certified Surveyors in Remedial Treatments).
You can be assured when seeking advice on basement waterproofing our surveyors are qualified to CSSW standards (Certificated Surveyors in Structural Waterproofing)
All enquiries are dealt with by a team dedicated to assisting you in identifiying your problem over the telephone and then to arranging a visit by one of our surveyors who will produce a complete report and estimate.

We offer a Home Buyers Service for a modest fee which allows prospective purchasers to assess the likely cost of any remedial treatment necessary. This report and estimate is often used by the purchaser to successfully reduce the purchase price. Survey fees paid by prospective purchasers or those who are re-mortgaging are entitled to a refund of the fee, either in whole or in part, should we be instructed to carry out any remedial works.

A hand held meter is used to assess damp in timber and walls. They are non-destructive, clean and accurate in timber, but have limitations when used on walls as they cannot quantitively measure the level of dampness in a wall, only measure the presence or absence of moisture. On walls, a “Picture” of dampness will be built up by taking a number of readings and this profile, in addition to a survey of the external structure of the property will lead to the surveyors evaluation.

Wall Tie Survey

To carry out a wall tie survey our surveyors are equipped with a metal detector, an endoscope, a battery operated power drill and repair materials.

Initially a visual inspection is carried out to determine which areas of the structure are affected by bulging and bowing and/or cracking. Walls with deformed masonry which show signs of regular horizontal cracking are likely to be suffering from general wall tie failure.

Cavity wall construction has existed since the early nineteenth century when materials used for wall ties included slate, wood, iron and mild steel. Not surprising therefore that it has been quoted that any property built before 1981 may be at risk from wall tie corrosion and associated problems. After this time the use of stainless steel and higher specification galvanised ties have reduced the incidence of corrosion, however, a lack of density in modern buildings can also be an issue

Both solid and cavity masonry may need to be tied. Solid masonry commonly becomes delaminated either due to header bricks cracking or deteriorating mortar, especially lime mortar.

The surveyor will use a metal detector to determine the density of the existing ties and then an endoscope to establish the condition and type of tie. This may involve the surveyor exposing the tie end by drilling or chiselling around the tie to check its condition. Cavity insulation may prevent a thorough evaluation. Care is also taken to prevent debris from falling into the cavity. In some instances, if permission from the property owner is obtained and if practical, a brick above the tie can be removed to allow a full inspection of the tie’s embedded end for corrosion. We will be pleased to undertake this level of service for which an additional fee will be charged.

If instructed and where access is permitted ties will be inspected at each elevation and preferably at different heights.

The surveyor’s ability to carry out a thorough inspection may also be hampered by the unacceptability of disturbing existing wall finishes.

Where bulging is detected at floor level the directional run of the floor joists must be checked to determine if the joists are parallel to or at right angles to the walls. Where joists are at right angles to the wall particularly in older solid masonry, and where practical, the ends of the joists are checked for decay

Where internal access is available and where floor coverings have been removed joist centres are checked by checking nailing centres in wooden floors. End–on joists may be determined using an endoscope and the position and dimensions of parallel joists by carefully drilling from the outside.