Walls
Showing results 1-12 of 309
Concrete floor slabs – not enough ground clearance to floor level
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Age of the house (limited ground clearance was permitted in the past)
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Sufficient clearance was not provided when the slab was poured
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The surrounding ground level has been built up over time
Crack(s) in foundation walls
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Settlement due to ground subsidence or shrinking/expansion of clay soils
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Insufficient depth of footings for ground conditions
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Poor quality concrete or insufficient concrete cover of the reinforcing steel resulting in corrosion of the reinforcing causing the concrete to crack
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Frost damage – water that gets into small cracks in concrete expands as it freezes, enlarging the cracks
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The wall has been undermined by basement excavations
Rust stains on concrete/concrete block foundation walls
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Poor quality concrete absorbing water that rusts the reinforcing, which in turns causes the concrete to spall or crack, allowing in more water
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The reinforcing was installed too close to the outer surface of the concrete
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The building is close to the sea and the concrete is of poorer quality
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The concrete is low strength
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Moisture is rising up from the ground
Drummy plaster in foundation walls
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Loss of bond between the cement plaster and the concrete
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Corrosion of reinforcing in the concrete
Blocked ventilation openings in foundation walls
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The soil level has been built up, covering ventilation openings
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Paving covers or partly covers the ventilation openings
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Planting and foliage restrict air flow through ventilation openings
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There is an insufficient number or size of ventilation openings for the subfloor area
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There is a build up of paint on ventilation grilles reducing air flow
Cracked or damaged subfloor sheet cladding
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Building movement
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Earthquake
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Impact damage
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Sheets have become brittle with age
Blocked drainage slots along bottom of drained cavity cladding
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Gardens built up against the cladding
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Build-up of dust/sand/dirt/debris from insects in the bottom of the cavity
Dust, dirt, air-borne salt build up on wall surfaces
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Atmospheric conditions
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Lack of rain washing or lack of washing by owner
Moss, mould or lichen on exterior walls
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Insufficient cleaning
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Walls and eaves are continuously damp due to heavy planting/overhanging trees/a bank in close proximity
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South walls are not exposed to direct sunlight
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High relative humidity
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Continuous wetting from an overflowing gutter or pipe
Staining of walls and/or eaves
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Insufficient cleaning
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Walls and eaves continuously damp due to heavy planting/overhanging trees/a bank in close proximity
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Localised water run-off across the face of the wall
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Lack of rain washing
Rusting flashings and metal components
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Air-borne salt, dust or dirt accumulating under flashings and metal components
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Zinc (galvanizing) or aluminium/zinc or zinc/aluminiuim alloy coating has been scratched or eroded, exposing steel
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Acidic leachate from cedar or H4-treated timber (containing copper-based preservatives)
Rusty nail fixings on exterior walls
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Heads of fixings are not protected by putty where punched and stopped
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Incorrect fixing type used for environmental conditions, cladding type or finish
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Rust was not cleaned off fixings before re-stopping/repainting
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Inadequate paint finish to provide protection
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Acidic leachate from cedar or H4-treated timber (containing copper-based preservatives)
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Corrosion protection of fixings (such as zinc) was damaged during installation