Roofs
A look at the principles of roof construction, failure and investigation - from thatch to metal roofs. Featuring the largest lead roof project in the UK and the largest zinc roof project in Europe.
   
1. In the beginning
 
• Thatch roofs – what to look out for
2. The guiding principles of surveying roofs
 
• Principles of roof surveying
• Opening up the roof - Example of timber rot on Grade 2 listed building
3. Troubles with tiles 1
 
• Tile damage
• Valley gutters
• Fixings – example of listed Oasthouse
• Implied loading
4. Troubles with tiles 2
 
• Incorrect overlap
• Implied loading
• Rare tile types
5. Leadwork and lead roofs
 
• Vital importance of metalwork abutments - example of London Bridge lead roof, largest in UK
6. More metal mayhem
 
• Example of copper roof disaster – bad practice in abundance
7. Up the Arsenal
 
• Example of Royal Arsenal zinc roof
8. Inside roofs
 
• Condensation in roof void
9. The flat roof society
 
• Flat roof problems
• Testing for leaks
• Plant growth
• Tank rooms
• Vital importance of planned inspection and maintenance
• Lightening conductors
10. Flat roofs – adding and subtracting
 
• When roofs change shape - placement of mobile phone aerials
and plant
11. Design – fit for purpose
 
• Good and bad design - example of Wharf development in Docklands with severe problems - example of Eco-roof on Supermarket
Bonus Section
 
• The hidden world of chimneys
   
 
   
   

Walls
 A look at the construction of various types of walls, from a stone castle in Ireland to polystyrene houses in the United States. A strong emphasis throughout on tracking down the true causes of damp, featuring many of Mike’s pioneering techniques.

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Floors and Basements
From Roman floors to basements in Venice, a look at all floor types from suspended to solid and how they fail. Includes an in-depth look at the best way to keep basements dry, with an emphasis on managing damp, rather than ‘curing’ it.

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Flooding
Floods are a force of nature and therefore cannot be entirely avoided. But they can be mitigated against and their passing needs to be dealt with in a timely and effective manner. How do we know when a house is truly dry? And why are floods becoming an increasing problem? Examples from recently flood-struck Carlisle and the canals of Venice shed light on these questions.

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Drainage and Services
Drains are a hidden world. How can you find out whether drains or water supplies are leaking? Where are they? Who is responsible for them? How can they be repaired? This programme delves into this hidden world and brings back the answers.

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Law and Litigation Programme
What are the precedents that govern liability in cases of building failure? What are the relevant cases? What will surveyors be asked in court? What evidence is required? This programme covers all current pertinent legislation and features a dramatised re-enactment of the landmark case on the use of building pathology evidence in court.

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