Recent Posts

1

Snagging and defects / Re: Soft Mortar

« Last Post by New Home Expert on Today at 06:09:54 am »

Firstly MD Insurance do not underwrite the LABC or Premier Guarantee warranty they are scheme administrators. The policies are underwritten by AmTrust Europe Limited. AmTrust Europe Limited is part of the AmTrust Group.

As the mortar can be rubbed out it has clearly failed (for whatever reason) and therefore does not comply with Building Regulations and is not "fit for purpose"  Bloor Homes are also in breach of contract as they have not built your home in accordance with Building Regulations and in a workmanlike manner!

As for LABC, this is why I always say to buyers, if the home does not have a NHBC warranty, walk away!

2

Snagging and defects / Re: DPC Level Around Garage and Path?

« Last Post by New Home Expert on Today at 06:01:33 am »

As I said in your other post the DPC should be 150mm minimum above finished ground level.
It is more important with a single skin garage as the wall will have rising damp and mould in the inside.

Who was the housebuilder that built this?

3

Snagging and defects / Re: Positioning of Air Bricks and DPC?

« Last Post by New Home Expert on Today at 05:59:14 am »

As said, DPC should be a minimum of 150mm above finished ground level.
And yes, most of the time the Air bricks for under floor ventilation are directly beneath the dpc.

4

Snagging and defects / Re: Soft Mortar

« Last Post by michaelmge on June 18, 2018, 09:53:08 pm »

Further update.
Having complained to MDInsurance (underwriters of LABC warranty) about the decision on my mortar, they agreed to look at it again based on my complaint being about the exposure zone.
It has taken them 13 working days for warranty to tell me that Bloor have provided information that BS 8104 has been applied correctly and that the wall in question is sheltered.

So without coming to review the property, they have applied all the evidence that Bloor have supplied and declared exposure and mortar are fine and that there is no defect. So why did they not sort this out at the beginning of March? Anyway I still have weak mortar, not caused by rain or frost at time of build, not caused by defective mortar or incorrect exposure but will anybody give a reason why there is an issue?

The regional managing director saw the mortar so you might expect him to be saying that they need to find the reason, but no word from him at all. Logic says to me it is the exposure despite the position they have adopted as we cannot leave the upstairs windows open when the wind blows there are 250 perps in the car port that can be rubbed out, but warranty ignored this. Two days of this week homeowners are being visited by Bloor and cavity wall insulation installers because houses appear to only have insulation installed up to head height. Bloor knew but did not see fit to inform us but it got around through Facebook.

Thanks for taking the time to review what I write.

5

Snagging and defects / Re: Positioning of Air Bricks and DPC?

« Last Post by michaelmge on June 18, 2018, 09:17:24 pm »

Had the same problem with my Bloor Home. Building regulations and technical manual require the dpc to be 150mm above finished ground level. They should dig it out and reduce the ground level and put gravel in. The top of the gravel will then be the new ground level. Also the dpc should be revealed as mortaring over the top causes  a breach of the Dpc.

6

Snagging and defects / Re: Remedial work - Move out for 2 weeks (Jones Homes - Emerson Group)

« Last Post by dawson84 on June 18, 2018, 02:36:57 pm »

I'll keep you updated. Thanks for your input.

7

Snagging and defects / Damaged Lower Block Work?

« Last Post by AOIS on June 18, 2018, 11:42:31 am »

Could someone please advise the correct course of remedial work to rectify the damaged block work as shown in the images.

The block to the right of the hole is not flush with the rest of the wall. Is this likely to cause any issues?

Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

8

Snagging and defects / DPC Level Around Garage and Path?

« Last Post by AOIS on June 18, 2018, 11:23:51 am »

Please could someone provide some advice in relation to the DPC level around my garage and path.

The path that runs to my garden gate runs upwards and as a result half the garage wall is on or below the DPC level.

From my garden gate the level then drops away and the path slopes into my garden with the DPC of the rear garage wall being well below ground level in places.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

9

Snagging and defects / Positioning of Air Bricks and DPC?

« Last Post by AOIS on June 18, 2018, 10:49:21 am »

Please could someone provide some advice with regards to the position of the air bricks and DPC in relation to the landscaping at the front of my property? The DPC is located directly on top of the air bricks.

Is this an acceptable level above the ground to avoid any adverse damp issues?

Many thanks in advance.

10

Snagging and defects / Re: Remedial work - Move out for 2 weeks (Jones Homes - Emerson Group)

« Last Post by New Home Expert on June 16, 2018, 08:46:43 am »

You can only claim compensation when all the works have been completed and the issues are sorted out. Only then can you assess how bad it all was and put a monetary figure on it.