Forum Archive Index - December 2003

[Robin Benson <rob@hammerheadmedia.co.uk>]

Hi MacDunk

On 6 Dec 2003, at 21:20, Duncan MacGregor wrote:

> The front page in sats heralds picture of a house that Is in dispute 
> Is typical of what home owners with plaster exterior houses can expect 
> when they try to sell.    The house In question I would defy any 
> builder could build It without It leaking using the materials I see In 
> the picture.       Who can you blame If It happens to you?.        The 
> master builders give out house of the year to similar houses of this 
> type, the designers continue to design them, and the gullible public 
> still buy them.   There Is a complete Ignorance of the technical 
> aspect of building, from designers, building Inspectors, the master 
> builders association.

This is why you need a *good* architect. A stupid architect will be 
just as clueless as your "master" builders ...

Good architects and solid builders tend to like working together.

Regards

Robin

> I really think that a person designing a jet plane would know the laws 
> of aerodynamics, likewise the person designing a house will understand 
> the laws off capillary action, electrolyses, and the laws dealing with 
> air pressure In roofs and walls and untreated wood being able to 
> breathe.
> The very sad fact Is Ignorance Is bliss they still don't have a clue 
> and I have argued the point for at least the last twenty years until
> I am sick of It.     The builders build to the plan the inspectors 
> Inspect there work and pass It.            Before all that happens the 
> owner gets someone to draw It all up the probability being not one of 
> them Is suitably qualified, the checkpoints are non existent.
> When It all turns to custard who do we blame when every person 
> Involved says Its not my fault.   
> The lawyers will make more than what It costs to repair some of 
> them.     I think the master builders are most at fault for there 
> complete Ignorance for so long on the problem,        Why do we bother 
> having them?.       An airtight wall creates a vacuum that only 
> requires a pin hole that will suck water uphill like water through a 
> straw.   This might only happen when the wind Is In a certain 
> position,so perhaps will go unnoticed for a long period of time.   The 
> danger spots are corners flat decks as roofs, balconies and anything 
> screwed into or bolted to the structure.        The lovely home In the 
> herald built In concrete would have been leakproof for the next 
> thousand years Instead of ending up with poor innocent people fighting 
> each other In court.   The lesson to be learned Is find a old time 
> builder, and ask before buying, the same way that I ask a mechanic to 
> look over a car before I buy It.
> If I wanted to build a rolls royce I wouldnt use Lada parts houses are 
> the same.
>                                           cheers macdunk
> ps I always refused to build plaster exteriors on a timber frame It 
> cost me or did It?


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