Surveys & Condition
Timber decay, woodworm and the reports that oversell them
Most timber problems are a symptom of water. Treating the timber without finding the water spends money and leaves the cause in…
Surveys & Condition
Survey levels, damp, structure and what a report is really telling you.
21 articles · updated August 11, 2026 · page 2 of 2
Surveys & Condition
Asbestos in a house is a management problem
Asbestos in good condition and left alone is generally not the emergency people assume. The risk comes from disturbing it.
Surveys & Condition
Snagging a new build: the inspection nobody schedules
A new house comes with defects, and the period in which they are fixed free is limited. The inspection that finds them is optional…
Surveys & Condition
Flat roofs age differently from pitched ones
A flat roof is not a failed pitched roof. It is a different system with a different lifespan and a different set of failure points.
Surveys & Condition
Windows, glazing and the seals that fail first
Windows are the part of a building people judge by appearance and replace for the wrong reasons. The failures that matter are at…
Surveys & Condition
Chimneys, flues and the risk in a disused stack
A chimney is a tall exposed structure carrying combustion products, and a redundant one is a maintenance liability that produces…
Surveys & Condition
Off-mains drainage: septic tanks and treatment plants
A property not connected to a public sewer has a small treatment works in the garden. It has rules, costs and a service schedule.
Surveys & Condition
Cladding and fire safety questions in a block of flats
Fire safety in shared buildings became a transaction issue, not just a building issue. The paperwork can decide whether a flat is…
Surveys & Condition
Loft and garage conversions: the quality questions
Converted space is where value and defect most often sit together. The questions are about structure, escape, insulation and…