Search
If you’re working on an extension and you find something like the above, you’ll need to put it right.
What’s the problem?
Using a ‘P’ trap at the base of a soil and vent pipe will cause the drain to block due to a build-up of solid waste.
How to put it right
A rest bend should have been…
Severe driving rain is a common occurrence in the UK and these days even sheltered locations may be subject to high levels of deluge. Flashings and cavity trays offer a way around this problem, but should they be provided to canopy roofs?
Site-formed canopies
Where a site-formed canopy is…
As the first snow flurries spread across the UK at the end of November it reminds us that winter can pose some additional problems for buildings and everyone in and around them.
Aside from freezing temperatures, icy surfaces, severe storms and bad weather to test our structures to the limits,…
If you’re working on any compartment wall such as an attached garage to a dwelling, or a protected staircase in offices, then you must make sure that the integrity of the wall isn’t compromised.
A common problem is running service pipes or internet cables through parts of the building. Even…
High winds are an ever present risk, often leaving a trail of destruction on properties and construction sites. Average wind speeds are increasing and ‘storm force’ winds are more common.
Site hoarding, roofs, and unsecured or unbraced masonry walls in a temporary condition on construction sites…
Did you submit a building regulations application before 15 June 2022 in terms of the new FLOS requirements.
At the end of 2021, the government published new Approved Document F (covering ventilation) and L (covering energy efficiency). Both were in two volumes with 1. dealing with…
On 27 April, building industry stakeholders gathered at the Energy Technology Centre of Nottingham University where the long-awaited new air tightness testing (also known as air pressure testing) technology, the PULSE unit, made its first appearance.
Build Test Solutions (BTS) is an exciting new…
The West of England 2017 winners from Herefordshire Council, back in the office.
Employees from 12 England and Wales local authority building control regions were given LABC Superstar awards on the 20th March, at a Gala Dinner in Leicester.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, …
Building Regulations Approved Document C recommends using BS 8102 to design basements where walls and floors are subject to water pressure.
Three methods of basement waterproofing are defined in the standard:
“Type A” (barrier protection) which requires a tanking membrane
“Type B” (…
You may have come across a recent BBC news item about a house collapse in London following basement renovation work.
The property was thought to be worth in the region of £1 million and collapsed in the early hours of 3 April 2017.
(Picture on the left courtesy of the Kingston building…