Unlike most countries, homes in the UK don't usually have a basement, especially if they've been built in the past hundred years. Even when there is a basement, it's often used as nothing more than storage space. However, with property so expensive these days, it can...
If you don't live close to a river or coast, you might think you home is safe from flooding. However surface water and flood damage can get anywhere after heavy rain, and your home could be in danger, whatever its location. There are steps you...
In an ideal world, all buildings would be situated on level, stable ground, but of course, that isn't always possible. One of the problems of building on a slope is that the soil can move — and this might mean you need a retaining wall. What...
If you've considered having your home underpinned, you may have looked around to find out what the options are. You've probably come across the references to minipile and micropile as effective ways of doing this — but what do these terms mean? What exactly is...
Has someone mentioned underpinning a house before or that your house in particular needs underpinning? The suggestion strikes fear in many people. Part of that is because it can be an expensive process, but there are also many misunderstandings about underpinning and what it means...
If you hear about piles in the context of construction, you may think about major structures, such as bridges. While piling is certainly crucial in such projects, it can also be used for your home. What Is Piling? Piling is a way of securing the foundations of...
Buildings aren't invulnerable, and a wide variety of factors can lead to structural damage. Whether your home has suffered from subsidence, has experienced traumatic damage or (if it's an older building) is simply feeling its age, these concerns mean that you may need structural repairs...
Whether you're having major rebuilding done on your property, adding an extension or commissioning a new build, it's vital to identify the appropriate brick materials to use. Where the main structure of the building is concerned, this is likely to be either brick, stone or...
Whenever you've bought a house, the chances are you'll have had a survey done to ensure you're not buying a property that will give you problems further down the line. This is the most common reason for having a construction survey done, but not the...
Although modern buildings can be constructed from a wide variety of materials, bricks are the traditional material of choice in most parts of the UK. There’s something reassuring about a brick-build home, with its bond left clearly visible. But is a brick simply a brick? Not...