Construction Defect Investigation 

While “ Lifestyle issues” are often considered being responsible for condensation and mould, invariably the main fault lies with construction design and defect.

Working for insurers and loss adjusters we have investigated many claims where the property owner or tenant have faced escalating cost of disrepair and deteriorating health initially stated as life style issues but subsequently found to be construction or design defect.

Difficulties in compliance to building regulations, architects failure to recognise the importance of controlling moisture and builders failure to monitor all aspects of construction invariably lead to penetrating or rising damp, interstitial condensation and uncontrolled internal evaporation resulting in condensation and mould.

Our clients recognise the importance of our impartiality and ability in providing all sides with recognisable and understandable reports which can lead to repair and resolution.

While lifestyle conditions and fuel poverty should not be ruled out, other material issues must be investigated too and only by impartial assessments made through measurement from investigation can resolution be achieved.

Paint is often used to camouflage building defect and resultant mould. Building Forensics can measure the paint thickness on walls to assess if current mould or moisture damage is historic or new. Subsequent testing and analysis can assess the presence of both viable and non viable mould and causation.
The tenant was blamed for the mould growth, our inspection identified various pointers of construction defect and the removal of skirting and wood threshold proved construction defect and initiated a warranty claim which was simply resolved at low cost.
Our Expertise

• Insulation and heat loss
• Cold and thermal bridging
• Water leaks including roofing
• Penetrating and rising damp
• Condensation and humidity issues
• Mould investigation

Typical investigations to find causation

• Mould
• Roof leak?
• Wet and dry rot issues
• Floor cupped , crowned or buckled
• Condensation
• Water intrusion
• Window faults
• Elevated moisture to walls and floors.
• Indoor Air Quality and health hazards

Why do we get different results than other surveyors? Because we are not trained in surveying, we trained in forensic investigation to identify and assess evidence gathered from a range of tests and inspection. Significantly our investigations are accompanied by a battery of specialist equipment which can be seen below.

Construction defect	Poor damp course installation resulting in penetrating damp
External walls not tanked properly causing leakage	Discovering a failed DPM and rising water table.
Surface mould continuously painted over	Investigation indicated intrusive investigation was justified
The room was placed into negative pressure	A smoke test proved construction defect and warranty