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Septic Tank System Check
Maintaining your septic tank system helps to protect your health and your local environment. Continue Reading
Law Society recommendations on when a certificate for planning permissions should be obtained for older properties
Law-Society-Recommendation-on-obtaining-certificates-for-Planning-Permission-on-older-properties Continue Reading
Section 5 Referral negative view on a rear extension projecting beyond gable wall of house
Section-5-referral-RRL2506-side-extension-to-rear-of-property-not-exempt. Continue Reading
Section 5 Referral positive view on a rear extension projecting beyond gable wall of house
http://www.propertyhealthcheck.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/section-5-referral-RRL2231-side-rear-extension-which-is-exempt.pdf Continue Reading
Some basic tips on how to choose a building surveyor
Ask the following about the building surveyor: Does the Building Surveyor specialise in pre-purchase building surveys on new and old properties? Is the surveyor qualified to certify that building works are in compliance with building regulations and compliance with planning permission. Pre-purchase building surveys are predominately visual inspections. It is therefore of paramount importance that the surveyor you choose to… Continue Reading
Building surveyor comments on plumbing…
Plumbing issues that are commented on in a Pre purchase property survey. Mains water supply and shut off The mains water supply takes water from the public water system or private well system to the property. All shut off valves should be turned on and off fully at least twice a year, this will help… Continue Reading
If you can’t agree with your neighbour on boundary issues, what can you do?
Answer Appoint a professional to advise on both boundary walls and party walls. With the mutual agreement of both property owners you can engage an ‘Agreed Property Surveyor’ to advise both parties collectively. Alternatively, one or both parties can individually engage a separate surveyor who will advise one party alone in regards to their own situation, and will provide… Continue Reading
Part B Quiz
[WATU 2] Continue Reading
Fire Regulations
[WATU 2] Continue Reading
Period Property UK
This is a UK website http://periodproperty.co.uk/ well worth checking out if you are considering buying a Period Property Continue Reading
S.I. No. 600_2001 – Planning and Development Regulations, 2001
S.I. No. 600_2001 – Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 Continue Reading
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed Continue Reading
Homeowners guide for building works
Download homeowners guide for building works > Continue Reading
This interview discusses whether you should get a pre purchase survey carried out or not.
This interview discusses whether you should get a pre purchase survey carried out or leave it to chance. Interview with Peter Sweeney, MD of Property Health Check Continue Reading
This interview provides some basic information about Property Health Check
This interview provides some basic information about Property Health Check Interview with Peter Sweeney, MD of Property Health Check Continue Reading
Inadequate air movement in wardrobes can lead to mould
Inadequate air movement in wardrobes can lead to mould Continue Reading
Built in wardobes restricting ventilation
Built in wardobes restricting ventilation. Continue Reading
Widening crack in wall due to foundation settlement
Widening crack in wall due to foundation settlement Continue Reading
Early example of asbestos roof slates
This is an early example of asbestos roof slates Continue Reading
Inadequate support under a steel universal beam in a timber framed structure
Inadequate support under a steel universal beam in a timber framed structure Continue Reading
Masonry chimney breast not tied into timber framed wall
Masonry chimney breast not tied into timber framed wall Continue Reading
Irish Georgian Society
City Assembly House 58 South William Street Dublin 2 Ireland https://www.igs.ie/ Continue Reading
Irish Historic Houses Association
http://www.ihh.ie/ Continue Reading
Passive House Association Contact Details
Passive House Association Ireland 10 Mount Pleasant Parade Ranelagh, Dublin 6 https://www.phai.ie/ Continue Reading
Suggested books if buying or renovating an old property
Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair Period Property Manual: Care and repair of old houses (Haynes Manual) Continue Reading
Most older slate roofs will leak during strong wind driven rain
Moisture staining in roof rafters under a slate roof Continue Reading
Cracks in exposed walls will lead to moisture ingress
Structural cracks in exposed walls will lead to moisture entering the property Continue Reading
High probability of rot in timber lintels in older period houses
In older period properties it is quite common to find rot in timber lintels over window and door openings Continue Reading
S.I. No. 236/1964 – Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 (Exempted Development) Regulations, 1964.
S.I. No. 236/1964 – Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 (Exempted Development) Regulations, 1964. http://www.propertyhealthcheck.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/S.I.-No.-236-1964-Local-Government-Planning-and-Development-Act-1963-Exempted-Development-Regulations-1964..pdf Continue Reading
Rotting Timbers Under a Flat Felt Roof
This is an example of rotting roof timbers under a failing felt roof. Continue Reading
Old Wiring Behind New Electrical Fittings
This is an example of a 1950/s property where your typical buyer would assume that the electrical system has been upgraded. However behind the new electric panel and sockets remained the old wiring which is a fire and safety hazard. Continue Reading
Window Frame catching on Fascia Board
This is an example of a PVC window frame poorly measured and fitted blocking a fire egress route. Continue Reading
The pros and cons of automatic gate systems
This interview explores the pros and cons of installing and maintaining an automatic gate system in your property. Interview with Eamonn Munnelly of Auto Entry Systems Ltd Auto Entry Systems Ltd Unit 7 Park West Drive, Park West Industrial Park, Dublin 12 LoCall: 1850 500 500 TEL: +353 1 6264470 FAX: ++353 1 6239307 Transcript… Continue Reading
roof types
There are lots of blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Continue Reading
I’m buying a property with an existing rear extension, will I be able to build a new first floor room over the extension?
Answer. Before you consider building over any existing extension you should first get a good idea as the the structural condition of the existing extension. If there is any cracking or settlement in the existing extension it would be advisable to be extremely cautious before building over the extension. If the extension cannot support it’s… Continue Reading
I upgraded an old period house which had a dry tiled basement floor and some dampness in the walls and after renovation I now have dampness in the floor and mold forming on the carpet.
Answer. Most older houses had no or an inadequate damp proofing under the masonry floors and walls in the basement. When low levels of rising damp rises up through the basement floors the moisture would evaporate faster then the rate of the rising damp and the surface of the floor would remain dry, However, in… Continue Reading
When my neighbour lights a fire in his fireplace, I get smoke coming into my house?
Answer. While a crack or hole in the flue is possible it is not the likely reason for smoke entering your property. Most modern houses and modernised older houses are fairly airtight, This in conjunction with mechanical kitchen and bathroom extractor vents results in negative air pressure with some properties. This results in outside air… Continue Reading
I’m building an extension to the back of my mid terraced house and there is no storm water drain located in my garden, can I direct the rain water into the foul drain?
Answer. No, building regulations require that rain water and foul water are kept separate and that only foul water can go into foul water drains and likewise for rain water drains. The problem that you have is common in that about 50% of mid terrace houses, in that there is no rain water drain located… Continue Reading
I am buying a 1890’s period house, will I need to replace the drains.
Answer. The simple answer is to make sure you pay particular attention to the drains before you purchase. In a lot of cases the old drains may actual be in a reasonable functional condition and no replacement would be necessary in the short to medium term. Fairly often in older properties there would be very… Continue Reading
I have a sewer smell in my house and can’t find its location?
Answer. Sewer odors can permeate into house in numerous ways. The first thing to do is to fix the most obvious things that are outlined below. One of the most common reasons for sewer smells in dried out trays under sinks, showers, baths and toilets drying out and letting sewer odors back into the property.… Continue Reading
Do I need planning permission to change and remove interior walls in my property?
Question, Do I need planning permission to change and remove interior walls in my property? Answer. In most cases planning permission is not required and most interior alterations qualify as an exempt development defined under Section 4(1)(h) under the Planning & Development Act 2000. However, the property must not be a protected structure and be… Continue Reading
Do I need planning permission to convert my garage to a kitchen, playroom or bedroom?
Answer. In most cases planning permission is not required and most garage conversions qualify as an exempt development defined under Section 4(1)(h) under the Planning & Development Act 2000. However, the garage must firstly be attached to the dwelling house and already be planning complainant as a garage. The garage conversion cannot be used as… Continue Reading
Do I need planning permission for an attic conversion?
Answer. In most cases planning permission is not required and most attic conversions qualify as an exempt development defined under Section 4(1)(h) under the Planning & Development Act 2000. However, while most attic conversion can be converted to storage use without the need to first obtain planning permission, the majority of attic conversions will not meet… Continue Reading
What type of rear extensions are exempt developments?
Answer. Rear extensions which are exempt development are defined under Class One of the Second Schedule of The Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001. The area of the extension must not be greater than 40 meters squared, including all other extensions. The back garden must not be reduced below 25 meters squared. The walls… Continue Reading
Do older extensions to properties require a certificate for bye-law approval?
Answer. There is an amnesty under subsection 22(7) of the Building Control Act 1990 as far as buildings which do not comply with the bye laws are concerned provided development occurred prior to 13th December 1989. Unless the building control authority served notice between 1st June 1992 and 1st December 1992 on the owner of a building that… Continue Reading
Neighbour wanting to build on boundary wall.
Question. My neighbours of some twenty years whom we have a good relationship with have recently approached us about building an extension onto the back of their house. We also have an extension which we completed 10 years ago which is built just inside the existing shared boundary wall dividing both our properties. My neighbour… Continue Reading
More concerns about pyrite in houses?
There are believed to be up to of 15,000 properties in Ireland which are contaminated with pyrite backfill. We hope that our website will help you find the information you require concerning all aspects of pyrite damage to houses. When damage occurs as a result of pyrite under the floors it can be a very stressful time.… Continue Reading
Testing for Pyrite in Backfill
Property Health Check does not carry out laboratory testing to confirm that your house is free of pyrite. Golders based in Naas, Co Kildare are perhaps the the best known pyrite testing companies in Ireland. We certainly don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but if your house has pyrite your test results will… Continue Reading
Pyrite damage in most cases can be more costly to repair then settlement or cracking in walls?
The damage that pyrite back-fill can cause is an expensive defect to remedy and stressful to the property owner. Pyrite damage in most cases can be more costly to repair then settlement or cracking in walls so it is important that pyrite damage is not incorrectly diagnosed during the initial structural survey. The percentage or concentration of pyrite in… Continue Reading
