Advice on buying a brand new home > Snagging and defects
Soft Mortar
New Home Expert:
All pre mixed dry mortar suppliers do their own testing. This in itself makes the results highly suspect.
You can and should get your own independent testing done.
Try QED 01923 682682 www.qedtesting.co.uk
On a positive note CPI tell me they don't use cement replacement additives sucg=h as GGBS which I believe is the cause of weak mortar.
Stuart from CPI told me:
--- Quote ---"We do not use GGBS in our mortars, they are a blend of sand, cement and chemical admixtures to aid workability, air entrainment and water retention.
Colour pigments are also added when the client is looking for a coloured mortar."
--- End quote ---
michaelmge:
Further update.
Expecting CPI Tuesday 13 February 2018 to take sample.
On Monday 12/2/18 this was cancelled due to them not believing they can resolve my issues and my unreasonableness at previous meeting, whatever that means.
Bloor Homes have told me to do my own sampling despite them saying they would carry out the findings of the independent company, who told them the mortar needed to be analysed.
I asked for the mortar classification on Friday and they sent me the comformity certificate by email. Monday morning I asked Bloor to ask CPI if the certificate covered 2015/2016 when the house was built, as the certificate they sent on Friday was dated 9/2/18.
The response I got this afternoon was we are not coming.
I know the mortar is Class 3/M4 and have asked warranty to comment on what mortar they would have expected to be used in my area.
Anyway regardless, I still have weak mortar as witnessed by their site member.
Emails have gone back to there customer service, Bloor's head office and Graftons (CPI) CEO.
Bri:
Bloor Homes customer care will not admit anything or advise you of anything. They are their first line of defence to wear you down. Once you realise you're not getting anywhere, escalate the complaint, get LABC involved and write to your MP.
I'm having lots of problems with them. I'll be updating my own thread with a list of problems and faults I've had plus pictures and videos.
Also, their sales staff are lying bar stewards.
michaelmge:
Thanks for that Bri.
I have tried involving local councillor,LABC and MP but they have all washed their hands and are not getting involved.
What frustrates me is the LABC(Local Authority Building Control) who are the only people with the powers to control breaches of building regulations and all they say is that as soon as they sign the completion certificate they no longer have the powers to hold developers to account.
I have already escalated to warranty but I am persistent and am in for the long haul.
New Home Expert:
Just so you know, LABC has nothing whatsoever to do with a local authority approving plans and inspecting works for building regulation compliance.
They are a new home warranty provider that can and do carry out building regulation inspections, but not on behalf of the local council.
MD Insurance Services are scheme administrators for both LABC and Premier Guarantee warrantees, are also the Secretariat for the Consumer Code for Home Builders. MD Insurance Services employ 'Risk Management Surveyors' "work within both brands of the company"
For the record in my opinion, LABC and Premier Guarantee are not as good for homebuyers as NHBC warranty, as you are finding out.
That is not to say the NHBC are good though!
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