40mm Gap between blockwork

[Bri44]

A better picture showing badly fitted insulation, missing insulation and big mortar snot stuck on inner block and xtratherm board.

 

 

[MikeGrahamT21]

The insulation...

 

Is that full fill?

 

If so, does it have a High Impact Plastic face to it?

[MikeGrahamT21]

I have zero affiliation with these, and no idea if they are good/not good but maybe worth some research?

 

https://www.mysnagsure.com/

[Bri44]

18 hours ago, MikeGrahamT21 said:

The insulation...

 

Is that full fill?

 

If so, does it have a High Impact Plastic face to it?

 

It is xtratherm, it has a hard plastic face which they say is to prevent water penetration.. Other areas it is just rockwool type, others I can see polystyrene and other areas nothing at at.

[Bri44]

17 hours ago, MikeGrahamT21 said:

I have zero affiliation with these, and no idea if they are good/not good but maybe worth some research?

 

https://www.mysnagsure.com/

 

It`s gone well beyond snagging. The faults are there to see. 

[MikeGrahamT21]

35 minutes ago, Bri44 said:

 

It is xtratherm, it has a hard plastic face which they say is to prevent water penetration.. Other areas it is just rockwool type, others I can see polystyrene and other areas nothing at at.

 

was worried they'd put full fill normal PIR, looks like they've used CT-PIR in places. Its designed to be a full system and should be used all over tho, with differing types you'll have cold spots, especially where theres nothing at all.

 

33 minutes ago, Bri44 said:

 

It`s gone well beyond snagging. The faults are there to see. 

Speak to them, as it sounds like they fight your corner, which may be useful here

[Declan52]

1 hour ago, Bri44 said:

 

It`s gone well beyond snagging. The faults are there to see. 

But it's the access to specialist equipment like a drone and thermal camera that you do need. They could also give next door either side quick check to prove that it's not just your house that's a mess which would help your claim by proving total incompetence by the builder over a number of homes. Surely they are worth at least a phone call.

[AliG]

In my last developer built house, the roof consistently creaked and made noises from when we moved in. We were not the only people with this issue.

 

Many complaints to the builder and NHBC were fobbed off, they had the roof looked at by the timber frame manufacturer who then wrote everyone a letter saying it was installed correctly.

 

One neighbour who was trained as an architect wouldn't let it lie. She got a commercial property surveyor to write a full report on her house. Another 5 or 6 of us then had the same thing done.

 

If I remember rightly it probably cost around £2000 a house and we got a discount as it was spread across many houses, it was 15 years ago now.

 

Anyway as well as finding numerous small snagging issues, the surveyor found that the roofs were not built according to the drawings. They were supposed to have supports added on site to the factory built rafters. On top of this hey had not been attached the the walls and could theoretically have blown off in a storm. This was why they were constantly noisy and creaking. The only way to remedy it was to strip the roof of all the tiles, put the missing pieces of wood in then retile the roof.

 

Without the input of the surveyor the builder would likely have continued to ignore us. NHBC were an absolutely outrageous waste of time. Much as your issues seem more obvious at some point if they won't do anything about them you will need to get a professional involved who they will listen to.

[Bri44]

I have a site meeting with the developers technical team and a structural engineer tmw. We shall see how it pans out. I have information from the concrete block association, the render manufacturer, a chartered surveyor, mortar testing and a few other bits to see what they have to say. The evidence is overwhelming now.

That snagging company are too far from me.

 

[Mr Punter]

Even though this is a self-build forum I do appreciate your crusade against this developer.  There may be other sites that are more suited to your goals but I am keen to be kept up to date with this issue.  One of the primary reasons people opt to self build is that they cannot trust the housebashers.

[Bri44]

I would never purchase a new build again. These developers (in my case) build sub standard houses. Hopefully my post will help others who stumble across it and help self builders avoid build mistakes that have been made on my house.

I will update on the outcome.

[Declan52]

At your meeting tomorrow message sure you get everything written down so it really sharpens their minds.

 

[PeterW]

Ask if you can record it or take someone else with you to take notes. You can’t record without permission though - don’t be tempted to do it covertly as it will undermine all your hard work. 
 

Make it clear to them that you are not accepting anything in the meeting and will need any offers in writing before you decide anything.  
 

And good luck ..! 

[Bri44]

Sorry, only just saw these replies. No recording. I`m still pushing for the MD to meet me as it states in their company complaints policy that once it has been escalated it will go to him and he will be available to meet/speak. Unfortunately he has declined my many requests.

I mentioned a lot of things to them. Showed them pictures of things now covered up etc. The SE did an inspection but is coming back next Tuesday to do a full structural survey inside and out. They are organising a thermal imaging company to attend and look for missing insulation etc. 

A local estate agent has said all these repairs plus 2 full roof repairs will devalue my house and make it harder to sell. None of this is my doing.

One thing i`ve not mentioned before on here is the front wall of the house is out of plumb by 50mm.

The bottom section of wall that is built up to first floor level at stone ridge is longer than the next level of wall above so where it meets the movement joint at the curve you can see it clearly. The bottom section is 20mm longer.

I`m putting everything in writing to them that we discussed. I`ll put all my questions to them also. Then at least there is a written record on my behalf to prevent any confusion later.

Here is a picture showing the wall that is longer and out of plumb plus some bricks on the side that are looking a bit wonky.

 

 

[MikeGrahamT21]

I don't see how repairing your house would devalue it, I think thats likely BS. For one, how would the people buying it know you'd had it repaired multiple times unless someone told them?!

[Bri44]

It`s the law. I have to tell them the roof has been replaced twice in 2 years plus all this remedial work going on. Would you buy a house that has had the roof replaced twice in the first two years? Google it and you will see. Maybe if the roof had lasted 30 years, then been replaced it`s a different story.

[Bri44]

What would be the purpose of this wall tie connecting these two blocks approximately 3 foot from ground level? That`s if it goes all the way across to the next block.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Declan52]

That's the wrong kind of wall tie that should have been used for your full fill cavity boards.

You sure it's a wall tie???

[Bri44]

Hi

2 hours ago, Declan52 said:

That's the wrong kind of wall tie that should have been used for your full fill cavity boards.

You sure it's a wall tie???

 

 

It looks like one. It is a piece of wire joining these two outer blocks together, if it goes all the way across to the other block.

[MikeGrahamT21]

This is probably bed joint reinforcement rather than a wall tie, to prevent cracking.

[MarkyP]

@Bri44 have you considered a social media campaign against the developer? Starting a blog and then linking it on their facebook page? Post on your own FB page and @mention the developer, twitter as well, tweet the MD if he/she is on twitter or FB message them, just make a complete nuisance of yourself, try the local paper. And do this every day, not just once, If this is a large developer you would quite quickly come to the attention of the marketing team and they will conclude that ending the negative publicity is worth the price of either sorting your house or buying it back from you. 

[Bri44]

Hi Marky.

I`m waiting to see what this next full structural survey and the LABC inspection have to say. I already know and have gathered a lot of evidence to prove it`s built incorrectly. The more I look and receive help here, the more I see. As well I have had professional opinions. I have been in the local paper once and the local BBC radio. 

Right now they are filling in all the mortar joints etc, 4 weeks after the render came off. This will hide many missing and weak mortar defects. Just as well I have many pictures and videos, plus material samples. The Blockwork has been exposed to the elements for 4 weeks, lots of water penetration in that time as it`s rained a lot. Straight through to the cavity in many places. 

[Bri44]

2 hours ago, MikeGrahamT21 said:

This is probably bed joint reinforcement rather than a wall tie, to prevent cracking.

 

If it is a bed joint reinforcement, that should be stated in the original structural design with reasons why it`s required. Something I`ll ask for.

[Bri44]

Was the person who attempted bricklaying drunk or just ran out of mortar because they used too much making 40 and 50mm bed joints. 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by Bri44

[AliG]

45 minutes ago, Bri44 said:

Right now they are filling in all the mortar joints etc, 4 weeks after the render came off.

 

This seems very odd. If the survey has not been done and repairs agreed to why are they stating to do a repair that makes it more difficult to see what he problems are.

 

I would not be allowing any work until there is agreement on all the work that needs to be done (unless it really has to be done to stop further problems)