Common Terms Used by Building Surveyors

Before buying a property or when planning major works, you will need a building surveyor to carry out a survey on your property. There are variety types of building surveys that are carried out on your domestic, commercial or industrial property. The survey can highlight many defects and issues such as foundation settlement, flood damage, fire damage and the condition of building elements. The findings of a building survey are compiled into a report by the building surveyor. Building surveyors can often use confusing terminology and a full report on your building can be incredibly comprehensive and may leave you confused about what it all means. In this article, we look at some of the most common terms used by building surveyors and what they mean.

Terms Explained

Asbestos — A fibrous mineral that can be harmful to a person’s lungs when it is disturbed or damaged. It was a common form of insulation between the 1950s and 1980s.

Cavity Wall — This is when a wall, normally comprised of two layers of construction, has a gap between the layers. This cavity is often filled with insulation to improve thermal performance of the wall.

Dilapidations — This term refers to cosmetic damage to a property and the work required to return the building to its original state.

Dry Rot — Dry rot is a fungus that is often caused by poor ventilation and damp conditions. It causes wood to rot and can cause extensive structural damage to properties.

Party Wall — This term refers to a wall that separates two properties owned by different people.

Rising Damp — Rising damp is caused by moisture rising from below ground level. It can cause a range of issues such as black mould, damage to walls and decaying skirting boards. This problem is often found in older buildings.

Subsidence — Subsidence is when the ground below a property sinks causing parts, or all, of a building’s foundations to lower. This can be caused by a wide range of issues such as changes in ground conditions due to removal of trees, leaking pipes and extreme weather.

Underpinning — This is a technique, often used to combat subsidence, which involves building a stronger foundation under the original to strengthen the property.

Building Surveyors

Alan Wood & Partners have a dedicated and highly talented team who prepare and deliver structural reports across all sectors. Their expertise and capability stretches far and wide and includes expert advice on a number of issues that may affect your building such as cracking, movement, foundation settlement, condition of building elements, flood damage, fire damage etc. We are also experienced in preparing condition survey reports which can assist in the feasibility report for valuation and development cost allowance as well as planning maintenance on your building.

We also have a dedicated team providing advice to both landlords and tenants in respect of terminal schedule of dilapidation claims before, during and after lease reviewed / expiry.

For more information on building surveyors please visit http://www.alanwood.co.uk/our-people