School of the Built and Natural

Environment
Academic Year: 09/10
Examination Period: Summer
Module Leader: Derek Worthing
Module Code: UBLL7G-20-2
Title of Module: BUILDING DEFECTS AND PROPERTY SURVEYS

Examination Date: Friday 14th May 2010

Examination Start time: 09:30
Duration of Examination: 3 Hours

Instructions to Students:

Answer FOUR of the available SIX 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: Summer

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 condensation is found to be one of the problems in this

house discuss the available remedies.
(10 marks)

(Total= 25 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 (10 marks)

ii) Frost attack in brickwork (5 marks)

iii) Dry Rot. (10 marks)

(Total= 25 marks)

4.
a) Using annotated sketches, show the differences in construction between a cold
flat roof and the two types of warm flat roof (assume that the roof structure is
timber) and explain the relative advantages and disadvantages of each type.
(10 marks)

b) Explain, using annotated sketches, the main causes of defects that might occur
in a bitumen felt flat roof and how they might be avoided (again assume a
timber roof structure).
(15 marks)

(Total= 25 marks)

UBLL7G-20-2 Page 3 of 4
5.
a) Explain the difference between settlement, subsidence and heave and then
discuss the main causes and possible effects of heave and subsidence.
(20 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)

(Total= 25 marks)

6. Photograph 1 shows a terraced house built in about 1893. With the aid of
annotated sketches show how the main elements of the house – foundations,
external and internal walls, ground and upper floors and roof (including the
back addition ) might have been originally constructed and identify the
materials that are likely to have been used.
(25 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

UBLL7G-20-2 Page 4 of 4
Q1 PHOTO A
 Q1 PHOTO B (photo to
right shows defect in
context – circled in red).
Q1 PHOTO C
Q1 PHOTO D
Q6 Photograph 1