Grsz

Hi! I’m learning architectural terms/methods because it interests me a lot. Sorry if some questions are stupid, I’m a newbie in this. There seem to be many different types of foundations, slab layers, insulation, and wall types. The most common I’m reading about is cavity wall where there insulating material is sandwiched between two shells of walls. I’ve been reading around and where things get very blurry is block, and timber frame. Some places mention internal shell being timber frame, outer brick work, where some places mention bricks only as cladding, not bearing load. Some mention different cladding can be used for a timber frame, where the insulation material is between the posts, but based on my limited understanding, it’s not a cavity wall anymore? And the third case where the inner skin is block, the outer being brick, and timber in the gap, filled with insulating material (which is the most confusing). Some also mention the gap filled, some unfilled. I read detail drawings, forums, asked chatgpt, the more I read, the more confused I get. Can someone shed some light to clarify the above?

How about the tile skirting? With waterproof adhesive and grout it could create a sealed barrier to prevent rain from splashing onto the render. its a shame though that both the warranty provider inspector, building control inspector, and mortgage valuer let this slip through. If buyers can’t rely on professionals, it’s basically gambling.

Would it work if I take the top off the ACO drain, and fill it with gravel to have a “gravel trap”, and upvc strips around (got the idea from another post here with a similar problem), possibly making a skirt with waterproof tiles?

This is by a small developer building unique houses, so it’s not a big development. There is one next to this built by the same developer, couldn’t sell that one either. Attached picture of it. There are two new builds by another developer in front of these build by a different developer that have been sold.

To be honest, it was kind of weird that for such a low price no one bought it for 8 months, the price has been reduced over the course of it by more than 10%, while neighbouring new build has been sold in 2 months for 25% more. I thought I may have been just lucky to catch this one, but this may be the reason why they couldn’t sell it. Haven’t exchanged yet, so can pull out anytime, but we really wanted this house as it ticks almost all the boxes.

That’s the thing, the render is not below DPC. It’s the DPC that’s at floor level.

Thanks for your response. Apart from staying away from this sale, what can I do to fix this, and how hard would it be? I’m not a builder, but it doesn’t seem like an easy DIY job. Also if I leave it like this, and potentially putting a metal/plastic skirt there that will cover the splash, what’s the worst that can happen? Should I ask building control to revisit (kind of a dck move, I know, but I’m not trying to make friends for hundreds of thousands)?

Im in the process of buying a new build house, and it was unusual that the render goes all the way down to the pavement. The builder said the DPC is at ground level, but it’s okay because the ACO drain won’t let the water reach the walls anyways, but I’m not sure how it will prevent rain splashing from the ground, making the walls wet. Apparently building control has already signed off on it, so it should be fine, but I want to make sure moisture from rain splash won’t make its way inside causing damp, so I was thinking putting a waterproof “skirting” to the affected area.

Hi! im in the process of buying my first house, and I’m planning to do a lot of DIY work on it - landscaping, flooring, kitchen work to make it our own.