Now it’s time to take a closer look at your test trials and what you should look out for when a prospective service provider comes to conduct a site survey.
When it comes to the survey itself, there are many things that any good service provider will take into consideration (you might like to create yourself a ‘secret’ checklist against which you can assess the surveyors that visit your site):
Exterior Façade
- When performing the exterior inspection the service provider should explain if there are any access limitations.
- Establish if any previous trials have been undertaken and what results had been achieved.
- Establish if the façade has been cleaned before and if there are any current signs of reoccurring pollution.
- They should check whether the wall is solid or cavity and what materials the wall is made up of. If the wall has been rendered, the service provider would need to establish the condition behind the render and the likelihood for any repairs.
- Visually inspect the façade for any weak locations, cracks or soiling patterns. If any cracks are noted in the wall, the root cause would need to be established.
- The location of windows, along with the material of the frame and the condition of the junction with the sill to be noted within the survey.
- Any metal in the construction of the wall e.g. iron, which could expand in the process of corrosion, to be noted within the survey.
- Common pollutants or staining resulting from any material defects to be noted within the survey.
- The service provider should document, measure and include photographs, O&M manual details or technical drawing information.
Roof
- Produce a description of the type, appearance and layout of the roof and to highlight if the findings do not match existing records.
- To establish if nearby properties are constructed from the same materials or if any repairs have been done that could be affecting the building and façade.
- To check sealants, flashing and joints for corroded sealants or materials that maybe leaching materials or organic matter onto the façade.
- To establish if the roof is able to deal with adverse weather conditions.
Rainwater Disposal
- Ensure that the guttering system can deal with heavy rainfall and to ask if or when it was last cleaned.
- To check the condition and fixings of any rain water systems.
- To ensure the gutter is positioned correctly and clear of the face of the wall. The service provider at this stage should also look out for signs of leakage and failure.
- The service provider will need to review the access to all the surfaces and provide a report of the conditions and any inaccessible areas.
Eaves
- Note any evidence where water has penetrated the wall beneath the eaves.
- Report signs of any stains near the gutters from water running onto the wall.
Windows
- Inspect the condition of the glazing/double glazing, the sealant, the sill and frame.
- Establish if there is a sub sill and if it projects beyond the wall.
- Establish if the windows are secure and if they can be opened.
This may seem very detailed, but actually we know you’ll agree that it will help to establish a tailored cleaning/restoration investment cost price for your building.