Hundreds of new-build homes are in danger of crumbling after they were built with sub-standard concrete, a damning investigation has found.
Weak mortar that does not meet the recommended industry standards has been used on at least 13 estates in the UK, leaving the homes at risk of disintegrating.
It is thought the issue could affect thousands of other properties across the country, but developers are forcing desperate homeowners to sign gagging orders in order to claim compensation and save their homes.
The full extent of the issue affecting the industry is therefore clouded in mystery, with many homeowners potentially unaware of the dangers facing their properties.
The gagging clauses mean those affected cannot talk about their problems with neighbours on the same estate, who might unknowingly be facing similar problems.
In a single estate in the Scottish borders, it is believed leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has agreed to replace the mortar in more than 90 separate properties.
It is currently unclear why the mortar would have been used, with experts suggesting errors may have been made with mixing on-site.
Scroll down for video
One of those homes was owned by Vincent Fascione (pictured), 70. He said he was watching football on TV one evening in 2016 when he heard a loud cracking noise from the external walls of his house. The next day he found a sand-like substance all over his front path and driveway
In one single estate in the Scottish borders, it is thought Taylor Wimpey has agreed to replace the mortar in more than 90 separate properties. The homebuilder says an assessment by engineers found 'no structural issues' with the homes
One of those homes was owned by Vincent Fascione, 70. He said he was watching TV in 2016 when he heard a loud cracking noise from the external walls of his house.
The next morning, he found a sand-like substance all over his front path and driveway, according to the Victoria Derbyshire show.
Photographs and video from the time appear to show growing cracks in the mortar holding his bricks together.
Mr Fascione, from Coatbridge, near Glasgow, bought his semi-detached property in 2012 for £112,500.
He complained to the homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey, and to the NHBC, the industry body that provides warranties for new-build houses.
The industry says mortar performance can be affected by a number of factors, including an inadequate sand to cement ratio.
In a single estate in the Scottish borders, it is believed leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has agreed to replace the mortar in more than 90 separate properties
Mr Fascione picked at the mortar with a screwdriver to show how easily the weaker building material comes away
The full extent of the issue affecting the industry is therefore clouded in mystery, with many homeowners potentially unaware of the dangers facing their properties
Under NHBC guidelines, mortar in most areas of the UK should be made of one part cement to 5.5 parts sand.
In severe weather areas such as Coatbridge, there should be even more cement in the mix to make it stronger and more durable.
Laboratory tests on samples taken from parts of Mr Fascione's home showed the amount of sand was almost three times higher than recommended.
Mr Fascione said: 'I'll never buy a new-build house again. It's just been disastrous for me.'
The Victoria Derbyshire Programme said it had heard about new-build properties in at least 13 estates from Scotland to Sussex, built by different companies, with what appears to be a similar problem.
Some construction experts also blame the switch to a new type of factory-mixed mortar, which might pass a different strength test in the laboratory but not always be strong enough in the real world
Some homeowners have been asked to sign gagging orders to claim compensation, making it difficult to assess the scale of the problem, the Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC2 reported
Referring to one single estate in the Scottish borders, the homebuilder said an assessment by engineers found 'no structural issues' with the homes.
Phil Waller, a retired construction manager, said: 'This is both widespread and serious. It cannot be explained away by the industry as a few isolated cases.'
Some construction experts also blame the switch to a new type of factory-mixed mortar, which might pass a different strength test in the laboratory but not always be strong enough in the real world.
In some cases, customers have ultimately had their houses bought back by either the homebuilder or the NHBC.
In others, it appears repairs have been made and compensation paid as part of a deal that involves the signing of a non-disclosure agreement or gagging clause.
An NHBC spokesman said it included a confidentiality clause in a 'small number of rare circumstances' but declined to disclose the number.
Hundreds of new homes are in danger of crumbling after they were built with sub-standard concrete, an investigation has found. There are reports of properties with weak mortar that does not meet recommended industry standards on at least 13 estates in the UK
He added: 'We work with builders to help them improve the construction quality of the homes they build. However, it is the builder who is ultimately responsible for the quality of the new homes they build.'
A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: 'Quality assurance tests are carried out on the mortar used on all of our sites and there are very few instances where it fails to meet the required standards.
'The mortar we use in the construction of our homes complies with building regulations and is of sufficient strength to meet the structural requirements of the houses and garages.
'We want to reassure our customers of our absolute commitment to delivering excellent quality homes and achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.
'On the rare occasions where issues do arise, we endeavour to resolve them as soon as practically possible.'
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/06/hundreds-of-britains-new-build-homes-are-at-risk-of-crumbling/
Main photo article Hundreds of new-build homes are in danger of crumbling after they were built with sub-standard concrete, a damning investigation has found.
Weak mortar that does not meet the recommended industry standards has been used on at least 13 estates in the UK, leaving the homes at risk of...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/12/06/16/7090148-6467195-One_of_those_homes_was_owned_by_Vincent_Fascione_pictured_70_He_-m-32_1544112604827.jpg
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий