Buying a new build home but bricks appear soaked?

ComicGeek

stuart45 said:

Subbies will often work in low temperatures, unless they are told to stop. 

Exactly - and no one from the developer is going to slow down the new build conveyor belt just to make sure they're built correctly...

pinkcloud17

Also I'm not allowed to get it professionally snagged before I complete. Is there anything I can be looking out for myself when I get the home demo? I was thinking of buying something to test the moisture.

ComicGeek

No point testing the moisture now, it will be high and that's normal. 

You mention that they are rendering the block work - that must not be done when it's really cold either, or if the block work is saturated/frozen.

NHBC standards state that; Rendering should NOT be carried out if:

• the temperature is below or likely to fall below 2°C, or.
• backgrounds are saturated or frozen, or.
• there is a possibility that new work will be subjected to frost before it has set.

There are also additional manufacturers guidance for different render products, and a lot require a minimum temperature of 5 degrees rather than 2 above.

UnderOffer

pinkcloud17 said:

Also I'm not allowed to get it professionally snagged before I complete. Is there anything I can be looking out for myself when I get the home demo? I was thinking of buying something to test the moisture.

Just get it snagged once you are in. Nothing stopping you then. 

pinkcloud17

UnderOffer said:

pinkcloud17 said:

Also I'm not allowed to get it professionally snagged before I complete. Is there anything I can be looking out for myself when I get the home demo? I was thinking of buying something to test the moisture.

Just get it snagged once you are in. Nothing stopping you then. 

Will do, just concerned that they could find something major and by then it's in my hands.

pinkcloud17

ComicGeek said:

No point testing the moisture now, it will be high and that's normal. 

You mention that they are rendering the block work - that must not be done when it's really cold either, or if the block work is saturated/frozen.

NHBC standards state that; Rendering should NOT be carried out if:

• the temperature is below or likely to fall below 2°C, or.
• backgrounds are saturated or frozen, or.
• there is a possibility that new work will be subjected to frost before it has set.

There are also additional manufacturers guidance for different render products, and a lot require a minimum temperature of 5 degrees rather than 2 above.

So they shouldn't be rendering it for at least another 2-3 weeks according to the weather. But it also says do not lay bricks or blocks during rainfall or below 3 degrees and they have done that.

stuart45

pinkcloud17 said:

stuart45 said:

Is it traditional cavity wall construction or timber framed?

Which one is preferable? I'm assuming the timber will be treated to prevent rotting?

I prefer traditional cavity walls, but I am biased because of my trade. Timber framed houses are becoming more popular in the UK now, especially in Scotland. They were getting built in the early 80's in large numbers until a World in Action problem highlighted all their defects and the market for them seemed to collapse overnight. They have made a comeback in recent years though. Have been built in the USA for much longer.

jon81uk

Babybelles said:

To avoid problems just make sure you ventilate the house sufficiently. I open windows when I’m having a shower & make sure doors are open to the least used rooms so they get some air going into them. I also left the door to the under stairs cupboard open as my neighbours complained of mould appearing. Also pop the heating on & get the house warmed up. 

Although don't put the heating on too high! We've moved in to a new build and kept it about 19-20 degrees, but our neighbour heated to 23/24 and has lots of cracked ceilings.

We left most trickle vents open and opened windows when it has been a little warmer. Still get quite a lot of condensation but no cracking, other than round door frames and stairs, so more movement cracks I think. These should be filled next week (been in the house six weeks) as they are doing a touch-up paint across the house.
Been generally happy with the site team getting snags resolved. But will see what customer care are like for the next 22 months!
Our only other major snag was damp in the en suite as the loft wasn't ventilated well enough so condensation dripped down the extractor fan.

jon81uk

pinkcloud17 said:

UnderOffer said:

pinkcloud17 said:

Also I'm not allowed to get it professionally snagged before I complete. Is there anything I can be looking out for myself when I get the home demo? I was thinking of buying something to test the moisture.

Just get it snagged once you are in. Nothing stopping you then. 

Will do, just concerned that they could find something major and by then it's in my hands.

They still need to fix the snags after completion.

In fact at the demo visit they will dismiss and state things will be fixed anyway. Best to just make a list once you are in.

pinkcloud17

jon81uk said:

Babybelles said:

To avoid problems just make sure you ventilate the house sufficiently. I open windows when I’m having a shower & make sure doors are open to the least used rooms so they get some air going into them. I also left the door to the under stairs cupboard open as my neighbours complained of mould appearing. Also pop the heating on & get the house warmed up. 

Although don't put the heating on too high! We've moved in to a new build and kept it about 19-20 degrees, but our neighbour heated to 23/24 and has lots of cracked ceilings.

We left most trickle vents open and opened windows when it has been a little warmer. Still get quite a lot of condensation but no cracking, other than round door frames and stairs, so more movement cracks I think. These should be filled next week (been in the house six weeks) as they are doing a touch-up paint across the house.
Been generally happy with the site team getting snags resolved. But will see what customer care are like for the next 22 months!
Our only other major snag was damp in the en suite as the loft wasn't ventilated well enough so condensation dripped down the extractor fan.

Thanks! We will keep the heating maintained at around 19-20. Are you also with Barratt? Did you do snagging yourself or professionally? I've heard a few people say something similar about the loft. Did you manage to get the site to resolve the issue?