Glossary of Building Terms

Householder Maintenance

BUILDING TERMS

These items will assist with the periodic inspection of buildings. It is not a full or comprehensive list but covers the most common general items. It is important that regular maintenance inspections be carried out and the repair of any defects discovered be dealt with promptly. Most of these inspections can be carried out by the householder.
If in doubt about any item inspected, you should call a Chartered Building Surveyor for further advice.

The items that should be regularly examined are :-

Check all slates and tiles are in good condition. Replace any that are loose or damaged. Ensure that the cement pointing to the ridge and hip tiles is sound.

Make sure that any chippings on flat roofs are evenly spread and adequately cover the felt. If any felt is bubbled or cracked it should be repaired.

Lead flashings should be adequately fixed and properly fitted. Check they are not loose or have slipped. Cement flashings should be free from cracks. If cement flashings are defective they are best replaced with lead.

Rainwater gutters should have an even slope towards the downpipes and be free of leaks. Check and clean out gutters on an annual basis.

Rainwater downpipes should be properly connected to the gutters and fixed to the walls. They should be checked for leaks and blockages. Keep any gullies at the bottom of these pipes free from leaves or other potential blockages. Replace any leaking rainwater pipes immediately.

Ensure chimney pots are properly and securely fixed. Ensure the brickwork to chimneys is sound and in good condition. Repair any cracks or loose cement immediately. Ensure that any TV aerials are properly fixed and do not dislodge the brickwork.

Check that external timber doors windows, fascias, soffits etc are in good condition and maintain adequate and sound paintwork to all exposed timber especially on the south and west sides of a building.

Make sure the cement joints to brickwork is sound and tight especially at the damp proof course level. Bad joints can lead to damp penetration internally and damage to brickwork.

Ensure there are no gaps between the walls and the door and window frames. Fill any gaps with a flexible mastic sealer.

Make sure the cement around drain pipes is sound and not loose.

If any cracks are found in brick joints or cement rake them out and repoint them. If you are concerned about cracks seek the further advice from a Chartered Building Surveyor.

Keep all external ground and paving levels at least 150mm below the damp proof course level.

Ensure that any air bricks are kept clear of vegetation or other potential blockages.

Check for cracks in any cement rendering. If any rendering is loose it should be replaced immediately.

Keep all painted surfaces in good condition and repaint before the existing paint begins to crack or flake.

Check timber components for rot, especially at joints. Replace any rotting timber immediately.

Replace any cracked or loose putty and broken glass before decorating.

Replace any broken or defective door and window locks and catches.

Inspect the loft space for any roof leaks. Carry out any repairs immediately.

Check any brickwork or blockwork in the roof space for cracks, especially chimney stacks.

Ensure that roof timbers are sound and properly fixed. Any rotted areas should be replaced as soon as possible. Check for any woodworm holes and if in doubt call in a specialist firm.

Clean out water tanks and inspect and overhaul the ball valves regularly to ensure proper operation.

Ensure there is adequate loft insulation. Make sure it does not cover the ventilation gap at eaves level. Ensure that electrical cables are above the insulation.

Check ceilings under flat roofs for signs of any water penetration or damp stains.

Ensure that all stop cocks and stop valves operate correctly and are not ceased up.

Ensure that waste pipes and traps do not leak. Rewasher or replace dripping taps as soon as possible.

Have the central heating serviced by qualified personnel on an annual basis, preferably in the summer.

Do not make alterations to electrical wiring or services without qualified advice.

Ensure that all light switches, socket plates and electrical fittings etc are firmly fixed and not loose.

Keep decorations in good order.

Check that manholes are clean, that the drains run free and are self cleansing. Check manhole covers are properly fitted and do not let soil etc enter the drains.

Have any Septic tanks pumped out at least once a year.

Do not let creepers climb the walls as they can destroy the brickwork and block gutters etc.

Ensure that large trees are kept away from buildings. Roots can spread a long way and damage foundations and drains.

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	Householder Maintenance
*BUILDING TERMS*
	These items will assist with the periodic inspection of buildings. It is not a full or comprehensive list but covers the most common general items. It is important that regular maintenance inspections be carried out and the repair of any defects discovered be dealt with promptly. Most of these inspections can be carried out by the householder. *If in doubt about any item inspected, you should call a Chartered Building Surveyor for further advice.* The items that should be regularly examined are :- Check all slates and tiles are in good condition. Replace any that are loose or damaged. Ensure that the cement pointing to the ridge and hip tiles is sound. Make sure that any chippings on flat roofs are evenly spread and adequately cover the felt. If any felt is bubbled or cracked it should be repaired. Lead flashings should be adequately fixed and properly fitted. Check they are not loose or have slipped. Cement flashings should be free from cracks. If cement flashings are defective they are best replaced with lead. Rainwater gutters should have an even slope towards the downpipes and be free of leaks. Check and clean out gutters on an annual basis. Rainwater downpipes should be properly connected to the gutters and fixed to the walls. They should be checked for leaks and blockages. Keep any gullies at the bottom of these pipes free from leaves or other potential blockages. Replace any leaking rainwater pipes immediately. Ensure chimney pots are properly and securely fixed. Ensure the brickwork to chimneys is sound and in good condition. Repair any cracks or loose cement immediately. Ensure that any TV aerials are properly fixed and do not dislodge the brickwork. Check that external timber doors windows, fascias, soffits etc are in good condition and maintain adequate and sound paintwork to all exposed timber especially on the south and west sides of a building. Make sure the cement joints to brickwork is sound and tight especially at the damp proof course level. Bad joints can lead to damp penetration internally and damage to brickwork. Ensure there are no gaps between the walls and the door and window frames. Fill any gaps with a flexible mastic sealer. Make sure the cement around drain pipes is sound and not loose. If any cracks are found in brick joints or cement rake them out and repoint them. If you are concerned about cracks seek the further advice from a Chartered Building Surveyor. Keep all external ground and paving levels at least 150mm below the damp proof course level. Ensure that any air bricks are kept clear of vegetation or other potential blockages. Check for cracks in any cement rendering. If any rendering is loose it should be replaced immediately. Keep all painted surfaces in good condition and repaint before the existing paint begins to crack or flake. Check timber components for rot, especially at joints. Replace any rotting timber immediately. Replace any cracked or loose putty and broken glass before decorating. Replace any broken or defective door and window locks and catches. Inspect the loft space for any roof leaks. Carry out any repairs immediately. Check any brickwork or blockwork in the roof space for cracks, especially chimney stacks. Ensure that roof timbers are sound and properly fixed. Any rotted areas should be replaced as soon as possible. Check for any woodworm holes and if in doubt call in a specialist firm. Clean out water tanks and inspect and overhaul the ball valves regularly to ensure proper operation. Ensure there is adequate loft insulation. Make sure it does not cover the ventilation gap at eaves level. Ensure that electrical cables are above the insulation. Check ceilings under flat roofs for signs of any water penetration or damp stains. Ensure that all stop cocks and stop valves operate correctly and are not ceased up. Ensure that waste pipes and traps do not leak. Rewasher or replace dripping taps as soon as possible. Have the central heating serviced by qualified personnel on an annual basis, preferably in the summer. Do not make alterations to electrical wiring or services without qualified advice. Ensure that all light switches, socket plates and electrical fittings etc are firmly fixed and not loose. Keep decorations in good order. Check that manholes are clean, that the drains run free and are self cleansing. Check manhole covers are properly fitted and do not let soil etc enter the drains. Have any Septic tanks pumped out at least once a year. Do not let creepers climb the walls as they can destroy the brickwork and block gutters etc. Ensure that large trees are kept away from buildings. Roots can spread a long way and damage foundations and drains.
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