An owner contacted SERL, having found us via an online web search and based on our good Google reviews.

The client sought our expertise in structural engineers’ reports, especially within the South-West London area.

SERL’s structural reporting service

In response to the client’s requirements our qualified Chartered Structural Engineer recommended a General Structural Inspection (GSI) report.

SERL offers two types of structural reports:

1)       A localised, specific, and limited Specific Structural Inspection (SSI) report or a Structural Engineers Defect Report.

2)       A broader General Structural Inspection Report (GSI) or Structural Engineers General Movement Report which focuses only on matters of cracking and movement.

Our Chartered Structural Engineer’s report for the South West London property

The owner, who purchased the house the previous year, had become increasingly aware of various internal cracks in numerous rooms and was concerned they might indicate serious issues. Before proceeding with a major refurbishment, the owner wished to understand the significance of these cracks.

This property is a typical 1920s semi-detached house, constructed with solid brick walls, suspended timber floors, and roof framing.

Situated on the well-known London Clay geology, the property is near several large trees, especially at the rear.

SERL’s findings

The living room, master bedroom, and stairwell exhibited several cracks. However, we assured the owner they were merely superficial plaster imperfections, nothing that was structurally concerning. Our examination of the building’s exterior found no evidence of any contemporary structural movement.

SERL’s conclusions and recommendations

We were satisfied that none of the cracking was serious which relieved the owner and allowed them to move ahead and plan the internal refurbishment without concern.

We did make various recommendations with regard to removing a tree in the front garden and pruning trees at the rear, but because the latter were on neighbouring land addressing this issue always proves more complicated.

The post A Structural Engineers General Inspection Report (GSI) Streatham, South-West London appeared first on Structural Engineers Report.

Calling all industry professionals!

Has anyone in the industry had the chance to see/use/benefit from the above data which has just been published by the British Geological Survey? It sounds very useful indeed if it brings together not only the geological maps we are all used to, but in addition, information on building types and trees in particular in the case of classical clay subsidence.

The GBS promotional material lists the following considerations below. These are similar to those used in our own risk assessments that we use for our pre purchase Structural Engineers Reports but obviously brings together huge amounts of data which we cannot match individually:

• Geology including clay thicknesses/depths
• Building type and number of storeys
• Building age
• Drainage
• Tree proximity (the key one for clay soils)

All of the above apparently produces a combined hazard score.

Insurance companies and conveyancing professionals are likely to find the information invaluable. However, we engineers and surveyors will be quick to point out that there’s no substitute for a property-specific survey. Such surveys consider all factors, including internal alterations and condition, which even advanced tools like Google Maps and AI haven’t fully matched yet.

Any thoughts and experiences from fellow professionals would be most welcome once the data is in use.

If anyone would like to share knowledge on this subject please e mail Simon.pole@Ser-l.co.uk or comment on the SERL Linkedin page

The post The Property Subsidence Assessment (PSA) appeared first on Structural Engineers Report.