School of the Built and Natural

Environment
Academic Year: 09/10
Examination Period: Re-sit

Module Leader: Derek Worthing

Module Code: UBLL7G-20-2
Title of Module: BUILDING DEFECTS AND PROPERTY SURVEYS

Examination Date:
Examination Start time:
Duration of Examination: 3 Hours

Instructions to Students:

Answer FOUR Questions.

Materials supplied to the candidate will be:

Number of Examination Booklets per Examination 1

Number of sheets of Graph Paper size G3 (Normal) 0

Number of Pre-printed OMR (Multiple Choice Answer Sheet) 0

Additional Instructions to Invigilators:

University approved calculators may be used No

Candidates permitted to keep Examination Question Paper No

Material supplied by student allowed (must be collected with answer booklet)

No
please specify:

Additional Specialised Material : NONE

Treasury tags & adhesive triangles will be supplied as standard

UBLL7G-20-2 Page 1 of 4
 FOR FACULTY USE ONLY

School of the Built and Natural

Environment

Examination Question Paper Final Confirmation Sign-off

Academic Year: 09/10

Examination Period: Re-sit

Module Code: UBLL7G-20-2

Title of Module: BUILDING DEFECTS AND PROPERTY SURVEYS

FOR FACULTY USE – Scrutiny

Signature Date
Module Leader Derek Worthing

Internal Scrutiny

External Examiner
Admin Use ONLY
Post External
Scrutiny (Minor
Changes)

FOR FACULTY USE - Major Changes if 2nd revision is required following

External Examiners’ comments.

Signature Date
Module Leader Derek Worthing

Internal Scrutiny

External Examiner
Admin Use ONLY
Post External
Scrutiny

UBLL7G-20-2 Page 2 of 4
1. Photographs A, B, C and D show a number of building defects. In each case
identify the problem, explain the evidence that you would look for to
substantiate your diagnosis and explain the possible causes.

[6 marks each for A, B and C. 7 Marks for D]

(Total= 25 marks)

2. You are inspecting a 1930s suburban semi detached house which is suffering
from a number of damp problems and it is suspected that the causes possibly
include rising damp, condensation and penetrating damp.

a) Explain using annotated sketches the factors which may have caused each of
these problems and how you would distinguish between rising damp,
penetrating damp and condensation.
(15 marks)

b) On the assumption that rising damp is found to be one of the problems in this
house discuss the available remedies.
(10 marks)

3. Using annotated sketches where appropriate, explain the processes which lead
to the defects indicated below, describe the evidence you would look for to
identify each defect and explain how the problem might be remedied.

i) Sulfate attack (9 marks)

ii) insect attack in a timber suspended ground floor (7 marks)

iii) shrinkage cracking in external render

(9 marks)

4. Draw a cross section through the external wall of a timber framed house to
show its construction from the foundation up to and including first floor level.
Use the drawing and annotated notes to :

• identify the materials which might be used

• explain the function of the various elements
• explain how defects might occur in such a
house – and how they might be avoided.

5.
a) Explain the difference between settlement subsidence and heave and then
discuss the main causes and possible effects of heave and subsidence and
how an interpretation of cracks in the structure of a house might aid an analysis
of the problem.
(15 marks)

b) Explain why and in what situations thermal movement in brickwork may be a

problem, and discuss how such problems might be avoided.
(5 marks)
UBLL7G-20-2 Page 3 of 4
6. On Inspecting the house shown in photograph 1 you find that the suspended
timber ground floor gives under pressure. You suspect that the problem may be
caused by wood rotting fungi.

a) Draw annotated sketches to show why fungi may have become

established.
(8marks)

b) Explain how you would distinguish between wet rot and dry rot
(8marks)
c) Discuss the remedies that might be appropriate.
(7marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

UBLL7G-20-2 Page 4 of 4
Q1 PHOTO A
Q1 PHOTO B
Q1 PHOTO C
Q1 PHOTO D
Photograph 1