Understanding Your Building Survey Report

A brick with holes or openings designed to allow air to flow through a wall, providing ventilation to the building.

A fibrous mineral that was widely used in construction materials. Asbestos is hazardous to health and can cause serious lung diseases, so it is important to identify any asbestos-containing materials in your property.

The gutter connecting the rear of a chimney stack with the roof slope above. Back gutters are typically formed with a lead sheet, laid over a timber board which is often visible in a loft space. 

A decorative board covering the end of a gable roof, where the roof meets the wall.

A set of standards and rules that set out the minimum requirements for building design and construction, to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of people in and around buildings.

Insulation material, such as mineral wool or foam, installed in the cavity between two walls of a property, to improve its thermal performance.

A type of construction consisting of two walls with a gap (cavity) between them. The cavity can be filled with insulation material.

A horizontal structural member that supports the ceiling of a property.

A sealed underground tank used for the temporary storage of sewage, which is later emptied by a specialist tanker.

A layer of water-resistant material (such as plastic or bitumen) installed in the walls of a property, to prevent moisture from rising from the ground and causing damp.

The vertical part of a chimney that runs through a property, from the fireplace to the chimney stack.

A layer of mortar at the base of a chimney pot that supports it and prevents rainwater from entering the chimney.

The passage inside a chimney through which smoke and gases are vented from the fireplace.

A ceramic or metal container that sits on top of a chimney, designed to improve the ventilation of the flue and prevent rainwater from entering the chimney.

The part of the chimney that extends above the roofline of a property.

A type of construction consisting of two walls with a gap (cavity) between them. The cavity can be filled with insulation material.

A vertical pipe that carries rainwater from the gutter to the ground or a drain.

The part of the roof that connects with, or overhangs, the walls of a property.

A board that runs along the edge of the roof, supporting the gutter and providing a finish to the roofline.

A type of roof with a level surface, typically covered in felt, asphalt, or another waterproof membrane.

A horizontal structural member that supports the floor of a property.

A material (usually lead) installed at junctions between roof surfaces and walls, to prevent water from entering the building.

The part of a building that supports the weight of the structure and transfers it to the ground. Modern foundations are made of concrete.

A pipe that carries wastewater (sewage) from toilets, sinks, and baths to a sewage treatment plant or septic tank.

The triangular part of a wall that sits between the two slopes of a pitched roof.

A qualified professional registered with the Gas Safe Register, responsible for ensuring that gas appliances are installed and maintained safely.

A channel or groove in the ground or pavement, designed to carry water away from a building.

A tile that covers the joint between two roof slopes that meet at an external angle.

A non-profit organization that approves biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, fuels, and services in the UK.

A covered access point to the drainage system, allowing inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of the drains.

Permission required from the local planning authority for any work that affects the character or appearance of a listed building.

A type of roof with a double slope on all sides, creating additional living space within the roof space.

A vertical bar between panes of glass in a window. Bay window Mullions are often formed with limestone.

A qualified professional registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, responsible for ensuring that electrical installations are safe and meet the relevant standards.

A trade association that approves oil heating appliances, fuels, and services in the UK. 

A low wall or railing around the edge of a flat roof or balcony, designed to provide a barrier.

A gutter that is installed on the edge of a parapet, allowing rainwater to drain away from the roof.

A type of roof with a steep slope, typically covered in tiles or slates.

Permission required from the local planning authority for any development or change of use of land or buildings.

A horizontal structural member that supports the roof covering and transfers its weight to the truss or rafter.

A colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can enter buildings through cracks and gaps in the ground. Exposure to high levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer.

A sloping structural member that supports the roof covering and transfers its weight to the purlin or wall plate.

A tile that covers the joint between two roof slopes that meet at the highest point of a pitched roof.

A covered access point to the drainage system, allowing inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of the drains.

A water-resistant material (such as bitumen or synthetic rubber) installed beneath the roof covering, to prevent water from entering the building.

An engineered structural frame consisting of a triangle of rafters, purlins, and struts, designed to support the roof covering and transfer its weight to the walls.

An underground tank used for the treatment of sewage, where solid matter is separated from the liquid and broken down by bacteria.

The underside of the eaves, visible from the ground, providing ventilation to the roof space.

A type of construction consisting of a single wall without a cavity.

A vertical pipe that carries foul air and waste gases from the drainage system to the outside of the building.

An underground pit filled with rubble or gravel, designed to allow rainwater from the gutter or the ground to drain away slowly.

The internal angle formed by two roof slopes that meet, creating a channel for rainwater to flow down.

A channel that runs along the internal angle formed by two roof slopes, collecting rainwater and directing it to the downpipe.

The edge of the roof where it meets the gable wall.

A natural or man-made channel that carries water, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch.