Just an update for you.
I sent the CEO's of both the NHBC and Bellway Homes emails regarding the updated Resolution Report stating that by just repointing 25mm to the facing bricks will this actually meet the NHBC Technical Requirements R3 as this was missing from the updated Resolution Report and only mentioned the NHBC Technical Requirement R4?
Also that it seems the 25mm repoint repair will probably suit everyone except myself as it will probably last long enough so they will all have no interest in my property when it finally fails (longer than 10 years but not the 60 years minimum as it should be). Even though the NHBC Technical Requirements state:
"R3 Materials requirement
All materials, products and building systems shall be suitable for their intended purpose.
The structure of the home shall, unless specifically agreed otherwise in writing with NHBC, have a life of at least 60 years. Individual components and assemblies, not integral to the structure, may have a lesser durability and need planned maintenance, repair or replacement during that period."
And surely mortar is integral to the structure?
I also stated that if the mortar to the facing bricks was not to standard it surely would also not be to the Load bearing Walls??
I did get a personal reply email from the CEO of the NHBC and it was also on a Sunday afternoon
.
I then received a letter from the Bellway Homes MD firstly saying they were contesting the NHBC's decision and they were giving me their assurance that there was no underlying defect in the mortar that affects my property. There was also a (fabricated for me) report from Marshalls Premier Mortar stating that they had visited the site on several occasions (even though I had previously stated to Bellway homes that if anyone visits regarding this issue I will always now want to be present) and the mortar was only suffering from frost damage by approximately 15% in total.
I called the person who wrote the report and they then admitted that they had never actually visited the site and the report was based on when their Sales Manager visited in March 2016 (his visit was also not regarding the soft mortar even though it was mentioned but regarding the black particles (lignite) in the mortar). The report also stated that at the time of production they were using a cement replacement that they are allowed to use and that the mortar tests would not of allowed for this.
I then got an email from the NHBC stating that if Bellway Homes contest the updated Resolution Report then it will have to go to arbitration and in which case the NHBC will be taking over the remedial works.
I then get another letter from the Bellway Homes MD stating that, even though there was nothing wrong with the mortar, they are now willing to repoint the whole of the property as the NHBC Updated Resolution Report states to bring a close to the matter. The letter also included more correspondence from Marshalls Premier Mortar stating some of the mix proportion used, again the cement replacement used, and the maximum replacement percentage that can be used. It also stated that the information was confidential and that they didn't want it put on the internet from my end (hence why I've not given the actual details).
The NHBC have now said they will be giving all the information to a Structural Engineer to visit and do a report.
And lastly another very interesting development has also come to light regarding this.
Since the NHBC requested that the mortar was tested and the results came back with the ratios (cement:sand) 1:7-1:9 I have been using the services of a suitably qualified person. I was also advised by the builder at the time the mortar testing was taking place the reason it was taking longer than anticipated was that the testing lab wanted to know exactly what cement was used in the mix.
I sent a copy of all the correspondence to the suitably qualified person for them to divulge. They have stated that in the actual mortar test results it states a totally different cement replacement and quantity percentage used to what Marshalls are saying in the reports from them that were included in the Bellway Homes MD letters.
I think someone has something to hide!