Knowledge Hub
Practical guidance from a working surveyor
These articles explain what a defect may look like, why it can occur, why it matters and the next steps normally recommended. They are intended to help buyers and homeowners ask better questions—not to replace an inspection of the individual property.
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Latest property advice
Bamboo from a Neighbouring Property
Bamboo growing from a neighbouring garden highlighted the potential for difficult control, ongoing maintenance and boundary disagreements.
Horsetail in Paving: Why It Is Hard to Control
Horsetail emerging through block paving showed why this persistent plant can become a long-term grounds maintenance issue.
Boundary Wall Cracking Near Established Vegetation
Cracking to a Worthing boundary wall beside established vegetation raised possible root and ground-movement considerations.
Why Victorian Houses Had Boot Scrapers
A surviving cast-iron boot scraper at an 1880s Southsea terrace offers a small glimpse into how older homes were originally used.
Rainwater Downpipe Connected to a Soil Pipe
An unconventional above-ground connection at a Portsmouth terrace raised questions about drainage design, leakage and previous alterations.
Shared chimney stacks: open pots, movement and party wall considerations
Open chimney pots and apparent movement to a shared Worthing stack highlighted repair, weathering and adjoining-owner considerations.
What Can Be Hidden Beneath a Suspended Timber Floor?
A loose floorboard revealed uninsulated pipework and older fibrous lagging beneath a 1970s Waterlooville property.
Woodworm in Roof Timbers: Flight Holes and Frass
Small flight holes with associated frass were found to a roof timber in a 1930s Portsmouth property. We explain what this may indicate and what should happen next.
Why Garage Walls Can Bow Outwards
Outward movement to single-skin garage walls supporting a pitched roof, and why the cause should be assessed before repairs are specified.
Why Coastal Properties Often Suffer Window Corrosion
How salt-laden coastal air can accelerate corrosion to older window metalwork, hinges and fittings.
Why some 1950s roofs have no felt underlay
An age-related construction detail that can concern buyers, but is not automatically a defect.
Detached bathroom extractor ducting
How a disconnected duct can discharge moisture-laden air into the loft and increase condensation risk.
Torn roof underlay with staining beneath
A damaged secondary lining with staining below, showing why the defect and surrounding evidence need to be considered together.
Blocked guttering and damp in a Havant house
A focused defect report linking blocked rainwater goods and deteriorated roof-edge timbers with dampness to adjoining main walls.
Broken sash cord and timber window deterioration
A circa 1900s Southsea house with a broken sash cord and failing decoration to a traditional timber sliding sash window.
Deflected brickwork above an opening
Visible sagging above an opening raised concern about missing, inadequate or deteriorated lintel support.
Horizontal cracking and cavity wall tie failure
Regular horizontal cracking on a 1930s house showed a pattern associated with corroding cavity wall ties.
Water-damaged lath and plaster ceiling
A previous tank leak left exposed laths and weakened ceiling plaster inside an airing cupboard.
What was hiding beneath the bath mat?
How a bath mat concealed damaged tiling beside a shower tray and a potential route for water into the suspended timber floor.
Damaged wall vent hidden behind a parasol
A stored parasol concealed a damaged former vent that could allow rainwater and rodents into the property.
Spalling brickwork beside a downpipe
How concentrated wetting and coastal exposure can cause brick faces to break away.
Stepped cracking above a window
What the crack pattern may indicate and why the supporting lintel should be assessed.
Loose ridge tiles on coastal homes
Why exposed conditions accelerate mortar deterioration and increase safety risks.
Textured ceiling coatings
Why some older coatings require asbestos consideration before refurbishment.
Polystyrene coving in older homes
A common decorative finish, how to identify it and what removal may uncover.
Four roof defects revealed from above
Real drone inspection photographs showing deteriorated coverings, a blocked valley and cracked chimney flaunching.
Cavity wall tie failure – what to look out for
How corrosion can produce horizontal cracking and bulging, and what normally happens next.
Lintel failure – cracks above windows and doors
Typical cracking patterns, likely causes and when further structural investigation may be appropriate.
Cracked chimney flaunching
Why cracked flaunching should be renewed with fresh mortar to help secure chimney pots and prevent water penetration.
Perished sealant around windows and doors
A small maintenance defect that can contribute to draughts, dampness and concealed decay.
Shrinkage cracking to ceilings – should you worry?
How to distinguish common cosmetic cracking from signs that justify closer investigation.
Concerned about a property?
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