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The purpose of this interview is to provide an insight into intrusive weathertight investigations.
After a visual inspection your assessor will be likely to test for moisture behind the
cladding with a non-invasive meter. To confirm the possibility of moisture in your framing
paires holes will need to be drilled to allow probes to be inserted. This will enable accurate
recording of the moisture content in the framing and likelihood of decay existing. Drill tailings
may also provide your assessor with an indication of the underlying framing condition.
If high levels of moisture are determined or decay is suspected, panels of cladding
will need to be carefully removed to provide confirmation and/or determine the cause of
moisture.
Removal of this panel revealed water damaged building paper which is infected with the
toxic mould Stachbotrys. Decaying timber has also been located. The pattern of decay and
deterioration may indicate the path of water ingress.
Samples of timber can be removed to determine possible timber treatments and/or the presence
and type of early decay. Such samples are carefully recorded prior to despatching to
a laboratory for testing.
High quality photographs will be taken throughout the assessment process. Frequently there may
be no apparent indications of what lies within the walls of a leaky building on either interior
or exterior walls. This framing has been decaying unseen for a number of years and has caused
serious structural deterioration in the wall, floor and floor beam members. A photographic
record of an incorrect insulation of the head flashing and samples of suspected mould will
also be taking to a laboratory for analysis.
Your assessor will make temporary repairs by replacing the removed cladding and may
have to install patches where this is not possible and will make every endeavour to
leave your property clean and tidy.