Northeast
Surveyors
Chartered Surveyors, Engineering Consultants, Planners and Architectural Designers
Specific
Structural
Report
Property:
Client:
Date of Inspection
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INDEX
1.00 General Information
1.01 Instructions
1.02 Property Address
1.03 Name and Address of Client
1.04 Inspected By
1.05 Date of Inspection
1.06 Weather
1.07 Orientation
2.00 General Description
2.1 Type
2.2 Approximate age
2.3 Situation
3.00 Construction
4.00 The inspection
5.00 Conclusions and Recommendations
6.00 Limitations
Appendix A - Photographs
Appendix B - Building Research Establishment Digest 251.
Appendix C - Conditions of Engagement for Specific Structural Reports
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1.0 General Information
1.1 Instructions
You have asked us to comment upon:
Various crack on external brick elevations
You are reminded of the general limitations of the inspection described in the Standard
Conditions of Engagement, a copy of which is reproduced at the back of this report.
1.2 Property Address
1.3 Name and address of client
1.4 Inspected by
1.5 Date of inspection
1.6 Weather
During the inspection the weather was dry and sunny.
The weather in previous weeks has been varied.
1.7 Orientation
For the purposes of this report, unless otherwise stated, the front of the property is
considered to be that with the two bay windows and central door and all references to the
left and right hand are given as if viewing a plan of the property, with the front elevation
located to the bottom, and the rear elevation located to the top of the plan.
2.0 General Description
2.1 Type
This is a semi-detached house
2.2 Approximate Age
Although precise dating of the property is not possible we believe the original property to
have been constructed circa 1940’s
2.4 Situation
The property is situated on an estate of similar housing types
3.0 Construction
The main structure is of cavity brick
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The walls have been repointed most probably over 20 years ago
4.0 The inspection
4.1 Front elevation
Above the front door a crack has developed in the “soldier course” and this continues
upward though the mortar joints (See Appendix A photograph 1)
Above to the right hand ground floor passage window a crack has developed in the “soldier
course” and continues upward though the mortar joints (See Appendix A photograph 2)
Below the ground floor right hand passage window sill there is a crack that steps up from
left to right though the mortar beds. At its widest this is less than 1mm in width (See
Appendix A photograph 3).
We noted a soil pipe and rainwater pipe that discharges into a manhole adjacent to the
gable wall and we are advised that repairs to these drains were completed some two years
ago
Other minor cracks do not warrant comment
4.2 Side elevation
No noticeable cracks
4.3 Rear Elevation
Above the rear patio door head there is a crack in the mortar beds that continues upward
though the mortar joints (See Appendix A photograph 4).
This opening appears to have been increased in width and height to accommodate the new
patio doors and no lintel support appears to have been fitted.
5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 All cracks above openings are due to the lack of external lintels. Properties of this age were
built without external lintels, the brickwork being set upon the wooden window frames. Over
the years the windows have been replaced and the brickwork has dropped with the lack of
support
Recommendations
The brickwork above the front door
The brickwork should be jacked-up back to level, the mortar beds tightly packed with slate
to create a strong bond and the mortar repointed
The brickwork above the front right hand side passage window
The brickwork should be jacked-up back to level, the mortar beds tightly packed with slate
to create a strong bond and the mortar repointed
The crack to the front elevation below the passage window
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This is not significant and is typical of some general movement that is well within normal
tolerances. See Appendix B, Building Research Establishment Digest 251, category of crack
1. No repairs are considered necessary
The opening to the rear patio door
This should have an external lintel inserted to prevent the brickwork from falling and
repointed. Typical lintel types include: IG L10, Birtley LA, Catnic ANG or similar
6.0 Limitations
This inspection report is limited in its scope to the instructions. The inspection was
undertaken externally and internally, as necessary, and we have not inspected parts or
problems that are not relevant to the request
Many parts of a building such as foundations and sub-floor areas are concealed during
construction and we do not disturb these. We are, therefore, unable to report that any such
part of the property is free from defect.
This report is for the private and confidential use of the Client for whom the report is
undertaken and for the use of their professional advisers and should not be reproduced in
whole or in part or relied upon by third parties for any purpose without the expressed written
authority of the surveyor.
Signature of surveyor
Date of Report: 2016
Tel: 0191 4825902
Email: northeastsurveyors@gmx.com
Office: Portland House Belmont Business Park Belmont Durham DH1 1TW
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APPENDIX A
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APPENDIX B
Building Research Establishment Digest 251.
Categories of damage based on crack width
Category Description of typical damage Approx crack
of (Ease of repair in italic type) width in (mm)
damage
0 Hairline cracks of less than about 0.1mm are classed as negligible. Up to 0.1mm*
1 Fine cracks that can be easily filled during normal decoration. Up to 1mm*
Perhaps isolated slight fracturing in the building. Cracks rarely visible
in external brickwork.
2 Cracks easily filled. Re-decoration probably required. Recurrent Up to 5mm*
cracks can be masked by suitable linings. Cracks not necessarily
visible externally. Some external repointing may be required to
ensure weathertightness. Doors and windows may stick slightly.
3 The cracks may require some opening up by a mason. Repointing of 5 to 15 mm (or a
external brickwork and (or a possibly a small amount of brickwork to number up to
be replaced. Doors and windows sticking. Service pipes may 3mm)*
fracture. Weather - tightness often impaired.
4 Extensive repair work involving breaking-out and replacing sections 15 to 25mm* but
of walls. especially over doors and windows. Windows and depends on number
doorframes distorted, floors sloping noticeably. Walls leaning or of cracks
bulging noticeably some loss of bearing in beams. Service pipes
disrupted
5 This requires a major rebuilding job involving partial or complete re- Usually greater
building. Beams lose bearing, walls leaning badly and require than 25mm* but
shoring. Windows are broken or distorted. Danger of instability depends on number
of cracks
* Crack width is just one factor in assessing the category of damage and should not be used on its own
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APPENDIX C
Standard Terms of Engagement for Specific Structural Inspection
1 We will inspect all reasonably accessible parts of the structure from ground level and other visible areas up to 3 metres in
height from ladders, or with the aid of binoculars, where appropriate. No furniture, no floor coverings or floorboards will be
lifted or removed unless stated to have been so.
2 The report will not include a cost estimate for works to be undertaken unless specifically agreed between the engineer and
Client at extra cost.
3 Save as hereinafter provided the engineer will use all reasonable skill, care and diligence expected of a reasonably competent
engineer in carrying out the survey and preparing the report.
4 The inspection will be limited to the brief given by the client
5 No site investigations or environmental survey will be carried out and we can give no assurance that the property is unaffected
by mineral extraction, landfill or noxious substances.
6 That no deleterious or hazardous materials or techniques have been used, that there is no contamination in or from the
ground, and it is not landfilled ground;
7 Many parts of a building such as foundations and sub-floor areas are concealed during construction and we do not disturb these.
It follows, for practical reasons, that we have not inspected woodwork or other parts of the structure that are covered,
unexposed or inaccessible and we are, therefore, unable to report that any such part of the property is free from defect.
8 This report will be confidential to the Client. It may be disclosed to other professional advisers assisting the Client in respect of
that purpose, but the Client shall not disclose the report to any other person. The report should not be reproduced in whole or
in part without written permission.
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