Older house with strong treatment levels avoid major damage despite high MC levels for years

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

Good bones protect this older house from major damage

This property is a very good example showing the absolute essential nature of timber treatment in buildings to give them a level of ‘safety factor’. This building is over 15 years old, and upon the installation of the Mdu Probe System it was found that for years has had moisture levels that would otherwise rot a typical late 1990s to early 2000s building so far that a reclad would likely be recommended. Yet when a structural analysis was done the timber has largely remained unaffected from fungal attack or strength loss.

Spot the difference

The major difference between this property and the typical late 1990s and early 2000s properties is that this building had very high levels of treatment, so that the timber has always had strong protection all of its life, so could put up with a few problems here or there.

h#1600

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North Shore City Council house gets CCC

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

North Shore City Council house gets CCC

This property got a building consent fron North Shore City Council with the support of the information from the Mdu Probe System inconjunction with an expert Bulding Surveyor. The owner is very happy with the outcome as it meant that he did not have to change much of the unconsented parts of the building, simply prove that the building as it stood was performing according to the building code.

#698

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Borer infestations on recent building exposed during reclad

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC
Borer-damaged timber sample

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no content #927

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Vendors Beware

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

Vendors beware

Its not as easy as sell up and get out with no strings attached. There have now been a number of cases where sellers have lost against the buyers suing for damages, and vendors having to defend themselves – even where they have not played any part in the construction of the building – which is an expensive process even if it doesn’t get to court.

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Thermo-imaging, Visual and MC Reading Report says ‘ok’, Mdu Probes shows reality is major problems

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

Thermo-imaging, Visual and MC Reading Report says ‘ok’, Mdu Probes shows reality is major problems

No description here yet#710

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Legal claim made on shaky factual grounds

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

In 2008 The Moisture Detection Company (MDC) was asked to put together a quotation at the request of a building surveyor on behalf of the owners. They decided not to go ahead with installing the Mdu Probe System and when MDC caught up with them in 2009 they decided to go to High Court to pursue a legal case claiming for the cost of a full reclad – but it is unknown the full extent (or not) of the damage because the Mdu Probes were not installed, so it is possible the defense will demand more information is collected (ie Mdu Probe System) and the value of the redress could be dramatically reduced because the plaintiff did not discover the full extent of the facts before progressing.

#1143

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Patel V Offord and Ors HC AK CIV 2009-404-301 16 June 2009

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

no content

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Fungi found in new house timber

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

Fungi found in new house timber

An Mdu Probe System was installed for a roofer who is building 4 units for renting out, and very old-school in his approach to buildings. He was uncomfortable with the new building code the whole way through the process but was told that this was the way it is done so to relax. During the installation, the Moisture Detection installer commented that the building was very well built and it seemed that Terry did not feel that with his expertise the system was that relevant to him. On the other hand between the owner and Architect there was some interest as to whether the flashing details would prove to work or not. The results show that the building is not leaking, but have unfortunately shown that the quality of the timber is very poor. There is the existence of some fungi which may or may not be a danger to the timber and the timber strength tests indicate that the timber is weak. The owner noted that at the time of construction he had inspected the timber arriving onsite and he wasn’t that impressed by some of the timber he saw but didn’t act on it at the time.#1248

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Councils struck out from Leaky School responsibilities

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

Councils struck out from Leaky School responsibilities

Auckland City Council successfully applied to be struck out of a leaky building claim by the Ministry of Education.

The ramifications are huge. Imagine how reclad failures will be judged – this time round owners will have knowledge of leaky buildings, they are currently engaging the same experts MOE was obliged to engage (weathertightness expert, new plans, competent builder) so council will escape new damage – end of story. That means no Council as last man standing like old times during a claim. para 64 “……It is inconceivable that the Minister or any Board of Trustees would allow children to occupy rooms that were unsafe or a danger to health because of leaks” para 70 “…It must be assumed that those who own schools will keep them safe for children whatever disasters unfold.” Could this judge be angling for a scriptwriter’s job at a well known brewery company? Auckland City’s strike out application is accepted – they walk away from a list of leaky schools and a precedent is created which will be causing some serious shivers: para 48: “Thus, while the Building Act 1991 creates a relationship where there is interaction and proximity between a Council and a building owner seeking the necessary permissions and certificates to build, there is nothing to indicate the contemplation of a specific duty of care in relation to economic loss arising from defective design or construction. There is foreseeability in that it can be foreseen that negligent Council consent or certification could fail to stop the construction of defective work, which will cause loss. However that is not harm that the Council actually causes. Rather it is harm that the Council fails to stop.” Gotta love those fine distinctions upon which lives balance….

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Owner had reclad, no monitoring through process

Posted on September 17, 2011 by SUGPC

Owner had reclad but no monitoring through process

The owner had the Mdu Probe System installed in 2008. No further readings were taken. A full reclad has been completed by a well-known specialist remediation firm but the owners were not recommended to continue with monitoring. Now previous stakeholders in the property are interested in the outcomes of the process.

#858

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