Building Surveyors are a key part of ensuring that the properties we live, work and socialise in are safe and that the communities that rely on these structures are happy and secure as a byproduct.
Whilst surveyors are used in a wide range of industries, one of the most common tasks for surveyors is to examine homes and offices for potential building faults or disputes related to land ownership.
With regards to the former, most experienced surveyors have noted that certain building faults are found far more than others, and here are some of the most common.
Moisture level and humidity are complex issues facing a lot of homes in the UK, particularly older buildings which were made with an expectation that an open fire would be used and are therefore not especially airtight.
Damp is an excessive level of moisture in specific parts of a home that cannot escape and often caused damage, mould and can at its worst become a hazard to occupants.
Surveyors not only check for evidence of damp or mould but also its causes, whether that is a corroded pipe or a broken seal that has caused water to drip over the course of years.
Another issue commonly found in buildings that have largely remained unmodified since the 1980s is the existence of asbestos, which was used for insulation and fireproofing.
It is safe until it is broken or disturbed because if the fibres enter the body they can cause many dangerous and potentially fatal lung diseases, so when Asbestos is discovered it needs to be painstakingly removed by a specialist.
Most of the time, as long as there isn’t an obvious problem such as leaking or falling tiles, it can be easy to miss roofing issues, which is where a surveyor will come in to help ensure that the roof is structurally sound and there are no other issues such as cracked tiles or damage to waterproof linings.
