admin, Author at Property Health Check

Answer Appoint a professional to advise on both boundary walls and party walls. Property Health Check can offer a number of services which provide information required to enable your solicitor to advice you. Those services are Boundary Checks, provision of Land Registry Compliant Maps and Certificate/Declaration of Identity.

Part B Quiz

[WATU 2]

Fire Regulations

[WATU 2]

Period Property UK

This is a UK website http://periodproperty.co.uk/ well worth checking out if you are considering buying a Period Property

S.I. No. 600_2001 – Planning and Development Regulations, 2001

Japanese Knotweed

Homeowners guide for building works

Download homeowners guide for building works >

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

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

Inadequate air movement in wardrobes can lead to mould

Built in wardobes restricting ventilation

Built in wardobes restricting ventilation.

Widening crack in wall due to foundation settlement

Early example of asbestos roof slates

This is an early example of asbestos roof slates

Inadequate support under a steel universal beam in a timber framed structure

Masonry chimney breast not tied into timber framed wall

Irish Georgian Society

City Assembly House 58 South William Street Dublin 2 Ireland https://www.igs.ie/

Irish Historic Houses Association

http://www.ihh.ie/

Passive House Association Contact Details

Passive House Association Ireland 10 Mount Pleasant Parade Ranelagh, Dublin 6 https://www.phai.ie/

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)

Most older slate roofs will leak during strong wind driven rain

Moisture staining in roof rafters under a slate roof

Cracks in exposed walls will lead to moisture ingress

Structural cracks in exposed walls will lead to moisture entering the property

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

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. https://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

Rotting Timbers Under a Flat Felt Roof

This is an example of rotting roof timbers under a failing felt roof.

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.

Window Frame catching on Fascia Board

This is an example of a PVC window frame poorly measured and fitted blocking a fire egress route.

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 […]

Ventilation of Timber-Framed Structures

Ventilation of the external walls of timber-framed construction is necessary so as not to allow moisture build up in the cavity which may cause decay to the structural timbers. External walls of a timber-framed dwelling are normally comprised of a number of layers which can be seen in figure 1. Ventilating the cavity of timber-framed […]

Ventilation in floors

Ventilation in floors, especially suspended timber floors is very important so as not to facilitate the build up of moisture within the floor structure. This moisture build up can cause deterioration not only the timber joists but also any coverings placed over the joists. Ventilation in suspended timber floors can be achieved by installing vents […]

Ventilation in Roofs

Ventilating roof spaces is very important as water vapour can reach this area primarily through gaps in ceilings such as attic hatches or pipes and even to a smaller extent from gaps around light fittings. When this water vapour reaches the attic space it can condense on the underside of the sarking felt or roof […]

roof types

There are lots of blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]