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Adriaan H Stander
8 years ago
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StructOne Corporation
8 years agoAdriaan H Stander
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Damp concern - will it dry??
Comments (13)@ Gabby - you were told wrong as it is not okay! I have been building everything from houses to retail centres and the problem with damp/water penetrating the void is that it takes a very long time to dry out especially if a rockwool type insulation has been installed. What is more you can also end up with mould growing in the void. It was sloppy workmanship and for the sake of a few minutes work the builders have an issue to deal with that should never have been. The amount of water showing on the face of the blockwork gives you an idea of the scale of the issue so do not be kind to them about this as it could come back to bite you in the behind in the future. If I was managing your project I would insist that they use the water resistant plasterboard (green in colour) to line all of the walls. This is a strong recommendation on my part....See MoreFirst Time Buyer - Opinions needed on 5 flagged results from searches
Comments (0)Hi, I've just received a copy of all my searches and I wanted to get opinion on some of the thing's flagged up on my survey. Would love some advice on if I should be concerned or not on the internally beautiful house I am hoping to complete buying worth £530k within Greater London. 1. The house is affected by Chancel Repair Liability and the present owners have provided Chancel Repair Liability Insurance up to the value of £500k. Is that sufficient and should it cover me for any issues with Chancel Repair Liability in the future? 2. The Groundsure Homebuyers report indicates the property has moderate-high risk of natural ground subsistence. The report goes on to recommend that I should get a level 3 survey done or a structural survey done to ascertain the property is sound. I've already done this and the report came back all positive. Details can be found in this thread (https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/6013590/first-time-buyer-horizontal-crack-on-external-wall ). They also recommend to contact the LA to ask for records of the property and local area relating to subsidence. This I haven't done but I am guessing I should? A picture of what they provided is below. Basically 1km and beyond from the house, it is all red. But I am guessing it is like that for most of London. The area the house is in is in fact low subsistence risk zone but the report says "The property, or an area within 50m of the property, has a moderate to high potential for natural ground subsidence. This rating is derived from the British Geological Survey's GeoSure database, and is based upon the natural qualities of the geology at the site rather than any historical subsidence claims or events. Additionally, this data does not take into account whether buildings on site have been designed to withstand any degree of subsidence hazard" Would you be concerned at any of this? The present vendors have been there over 10 years and the Structural Engineer said there was nothing that would prevent him buying the house once he was done surveying it. 3. The Groundsure Homebuyers report also indicates that the nearest overhead transmission lines and/or pylon is located 483m from the property. Overhead power transmission lines are known to emit electromagnetic fields (EMF) and some consider this may cause potential health concerns. My question is, should I be concerned? I never considered this before. The houses around the area do not suffer from selling issues whatsoever so that doesn't bother me. As far as I can tell online, most think there is no good data associated with any potential risks whatsoever. My gut is telling me this is a false flag. The power line is a 275KV pylon line but the house is almost half a KM away. Would you be worried? Should I buy an EMF meter and test if the area has a low value? Can I pay someone to do it and if so who? 4. The planning and building regulation searches have shown that the vendor received approval for internal alterations of the house including ground floor structural openings (through lounge), ground floor WC, first floor bathroom and removal of chimney breasts throughout the house. These works were done in 2015 however the vendor did not get a building regulation completion certificate. The vendor has agreed to pay for indemnity insurance to cover this. I'm guessing this should be OK and should protect us from any issues? 5. Lastly, the private water and drainage searches have revealed that the public sewer map shows a public sewer within the boundary of the property. It runs across the garden. A picture is below. Should I be concerned about this at all? The accompanying notes in the report says "The boundary of the property has been determined by reference to the Ordinance Survey record. The presence of a public sewer running within the boundary of the property may restrict further development; The water board has a statutory right of access to carry out works on its assets, subject to notice. This may result in employees of the water board or its contractors needing to enter the property to carry out work. A section 104 sewer record is not an ‘as constructed’ record. It is recommended that these details be checked with the developer". Does this mean that I would need to front any costs to any work the water board would have to do? Currently the rear garden is paved over. Should they need to rip it up to get access, would they pay for the repairs to my garden too? Also I'm guessing this also means the kitchen cannot be extended? If so, I don't think that would an issue for me as the current kitchen is huge and the garden is tiny anyway and I am unlikely to ever want to extend it. The neighbor on the right has slightly extended their kitchen outwards but not much. Probably up to that line. Would love any and all opinions from you great people. Thanks!...See MoreSouth West facing garden - bi-fold doors concerns re heat
Comments (2)It is going to get very warm in the summer and very bright indeed whenever the sun shines. You can buy reflective film which is easy to install, that can be put on the glass to reduce glare and fading of furnishings inside. I have used it and it is effective. However, if you totally love the house and can see yourself living very happily in it regardless, put an offer in. If you are finding issues you are not very comfortable or happy with now, which are going to annoy, then perhaps another house may suit you better....See MoreWhy It's Time to Look Again at Home Care for Older People
Comments (0)As the population ages, there is a rising need for elderly care services. While nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been the traditional option for older individuals needing assistance, there is now a growing emphasis on home care services. Home care services provide a variety of facilities that enable older individuals to remain in their own homes while still receiving the support and care they require. These services are often more flexible and can be tailored to meet each client's individual needs. In addition, home care services may be less expensive than nursing homes or institutions for assisted living. Let's examine the types of in-home care for seniors available at this time and how to access them. Home care services for older people Let's say you're used to caring for yourself while in your prime. That can change as you grow older. It may be difficult to accept, but most of us will need assistance as we grow older. After the age of 65, things may become even more complicated regarding mobility and self-care. You can divide duties with your spouse or rely on other family members to get help around the house. The most common options are a retirement community, a nursing home, or assisted living facility. But they're not the only options, as home care services can aid when you or a loved one would prefer to keep living in your home and keep a high quality of living. Home care services include: Personal Care: Personal care services cover assistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and grooming. The service is also called custodial care, and it consists of the use of a home care health aide who comes in ranging from a few hours a day to offering live-in services. Household maintenance: It includes services related to maintaining the household: laundry, cleaning, handiwork, gardening, shopping, paying bills, or booking appointments, for example. Transportation services: It includes senior-oriented transportation services like rideshare apps, trains, buses, or reduced-fare taxis that give older adults independence and allow them to maintain their social activities. Meal Preparation: Home care services can also prepare meals for older individuals who cannot cook for themselves. This ensures that they receive nutritious and balanced meals that meet their dietary requirements. Medication Management: Many older individuals require assistance with managing their medications. Home care services can provide this support by ensuring that medication is taken on time and in the correct dosage. Companionship: Home care services can also provide companionship and emotional support for older individuals. This can help prevent social isolation and loneliness, which can negatively impact mental and physical health. Is home care the best choice for your needs? Your home is full of memories that bring you joy and emotion, and your neighborhood is familiar, bringing you stability. Familiarity is always more comforting than exchanging your home for a retirement facility. By looking at your options objectively, you can decide whether you would prefer to remain at home or choose an alternative care option. And the process is similar when considering it for family members. Try not to make an abrupt decision following a health crisis or a sudden loss. Examining home care services and planning for you or a family member can make the difference between a right or wrong choice. Because needs vary depending on various factors such as family or outside support, finances, health, and mobility, there are a few things you should consider before deciding on aging home care options: Home accessibility – how easy to modify is your home? How much maintenance does it need? How accessible is it for aging people? Location – is the home located in a rural or urban area? Are community services and activities located close by? Does the aging person living there require much driving around for appointments? Is public transit accessible and readily available? Support – does the aging person have friends or family nearby? Are they available to provide the needed support? Medical necessities – people with chronic conditions are more likely to develop complications over time, meaning you should consider how to handle health and mobility issues for an aging person. Consider possible complications for you or your loved one's condition and how you would handle them. Isolation – it can become a problem for a person with low mobility who can't leave home, for example. Not being able to take part in activities that previously brought joy can lead to depression. Home care versus other types of senior housing Before deciding which route to take, you can think about all the options at your disposal. Think about the quality of life and how every type of senior housing can help an aging person make the best of their remaining years. When you prefer companionship with people your age, want to keep your social life, or feel overwhelmed by the drawbacks of home care services, a retirement home or independent living community may be best for you. For example, aging persons with more extensive medical needs may find an assisted living facility or nursing home a much better option. Home care providers' best practices Now that you know a bit about home care service types and how they can make life easier, you can look more into how much help you or an aging family member may need and start from there. Hiring someone to clean, shop, or cook may be different from hiring someone proficient in live-in personal care. When hiring someone to take care of an older person, take your time to research and investigate candidates. Try to conduct a thorough interview with each type of candidate after you come up with a list. Don't forget to be specific about all the tasks they would perform at home to ensure the candidate would be comfortable doing them. Compensation and payment schedules are details you must agree upon after you request some work references you can check. Perform background checks if you can, and feel free to look elsewhere if you feel the candidate you're eyeing isn't the right fit. Best practices for home care services in the UK: Care Quality Commission (CQC): The CQC regulates and inspects home care services in the UK. It is essential to choose a home care provider that the CQC has rated to ensure that they meet the required standards of care. Training and Qualifications: Home care providers should ensure that their staff is trained and qualified to provide care services. This includes training in health and safety, infection control, and medication management. Care Plan: A care plan should be developed for each client that outlines their individual needs and preferences. This plan should be regularly reviewed and updated as required. Communication: Good communication between the client, their family, and the home care provider is essential. This ensures that all parties know the client's needs and preferences and that any concerns are addressed promptly. Conclusion Home care services offer a flexible and affordable substitute for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Various services are available to support older individuals to remain in their homes while receiving the care they need. Home care services can deliver high-quality care that enhances the quality of life for older people. When selecting a home care provider, it is crucial to confirm that they adhere to the necessary care standards and that their staff members are competent and trained to offer care services....See MoreAdriaan H Stander
8 years agoAdriaan H Stander
8 years agoAdriaan H Stander
8 years agoAdriaan H Stander
8 years ago
StructOne Corporation