School of the Built and Natural

Environment
Academic Year: 08/09
Examination Period: Summer

Module Leader: Derek Worthing

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

Examination Date: Tuesday 19th May 2009

Examination Start time: 13:30
Duration of Examination: 3 Hours

Instructions to Students:

STUDENTS SHOULD ANSWER 4 QUESTIONS

Materials supplied to the candidate will be:

Number of Examination Booklets per Examination ONE PLUS ANY NECESSARY

CONTINUATION BOOKLETS 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: 08/09

Examination Period: Summer
Module No: 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)
(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 as appropriate how each of these problems

might have arisen and how you would distinguish between rising damp,
penetrating damp and condensation.
(18 marks)

b) On the assumption that rising damp is found to be one of the problems in this
house, and that it affects all of the external walls and the party wall, explain the
remedies available and discuss their suitability in this case.
(7 marks)

3. Photograph 1 shows a terraced house built in about 1893. With the aid of
annotated sketches show how the main elements might have been originally
constructed and identify the materials that are likely to have been used.

4. On inspecting the house shown in photograph 1 you suspect that the

suspended timber floor is suffering from attack by wood rotting fungi.

a) Draw annotated sketches through sections of the floor to show its construction
(you should assume that this is as originally built) and use this to explain the
possible causes of the problem.
(12 marks)

b) Explain how you would distinguish between wet rot and dry rot
(6 marks)

c) Discuss the remedies that might be appropriate.

(7 marks)

5.
a) 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:

i) identify the materials which might be used

ii) explain the function of the various elements
iii) explain how defects might occur in such a house and how they might be
avoided.
(15 marks)

b) Explain the causes of the key defects that affected houses such as the one
shown in photograph 2
(10 Marks)

UBLL7G-20-2 Page 3 of 4
6. 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) Sulphate attack
(8 marks)
ii) Cavity wall tie failure in a 1930s semi detached house.
(8 marks)
iii) Interaction between acid rain and limestone
(9 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

UBLL7G-20-2 Page 4 of 4
Q1 PHOTO A
Q1 PHOTO B
Q1 PHOTO C
Q1 PHOTO D
Q3 and Q4 PHOTOGRAPH 1
QUESTION 5 (PHOTOGRAPH 2).