Review of currently occupied home

elvis83

Hi

I've been living in my current home for the past three years. In that time, I've had a few odd jobs done around the house by my father-in-law. I recently had a tradesman in quoting a job for me, and he pointed out a few issues around the house with work that my father-in-law had done.

Now that has got me worried that despite his good intentions, he is not be fully aware of whatever building rules and regulations are currently in play. Would a survey be my best bet to identify any issues? Is it common to get a survey done After you've actually bought the house? Or is there some other type of building review that I need to do?

tabby aspreme

elvis83 wrote: »

Hi

I've been living in my current home for the past three years. In that time, I've had a few odd jobs done around the house by my father-in-law. I recently had a tradesman in quoting a job for me, and he pointed out a few issues around the house with work that my father-in-law had done.

Now that has got me worried that despite his good intentions, he is not be fully aware of whatever building rules and regulations are currently in play. Would a survey be my best bet to identify any issues? Is it common to get a survey done After you've actually bought the house? Or is there some other type of building review that I need to do?

What exactly did your fil do for you.

elvis83

So we have a basement, and part of that is used as a shed. He's a plumber by trade, and when we were doing the heating, he advised putting the oil tank in this covered area for security reasons. Sounded reasonable. However I don't believe an oil tank should be covered at all, at least from talking to a second source.

Secondly, he did a bit of wiring in the basement for me. Now he's not an electrician at all. I already have a qualified electrician coming next week to check that out.

That's the two main things, but he's done lots of little things here and there and now there's doubt in my mind over it all

dathi

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C37240%2Cen.pdf

have a look here on page 47 on wards

Calahonda52

Have you told your insurance company that you have a tank of oil in the basement?

Cerco

There must be some misunderstanding here. No trades person would site an oil tank in a basement.

listermint

Cerco wrote: »

There must be some misunderstanding here. No trades person would site an oil tank in a basement.

How would you get an oil tank in a basement ....

Cerco

listermint wrote: »

How would you get an oil tank in a basement ....

Ask Daniel O’Donnell 🤪

elvis83

So the basement has a big garage door entry way to the side of it. The oil tank is situated inside that, against the same wall as the doorway. Maybe that's enough ventilation, but I highly doubt it. From looking at the link provided in an earlier post, I highly doubt it.

I have not told my insurance company, I didn't realise it was an issue until I had another tradesman in, looking at a separate issue. He pointed it out to me straight away, hence why I'm only really now worrying about it.

elvis83

Cerco wrote: »

There must be some misunderstanding here. No trades person would site an oil tank in a basement.

Indeed. I fear I trusted a bit of a cowboy here...even if he is family.

Alun

It's very common to have oil tanks in cellars in Germany, I guess they're vented to the outside and filled from the outside too but am not sure.

dathi

OSI wrote: »

Whatever about the oil tank, this part at a minimum is illegal unless he's a qualified and registered electrician.

it depends on what electrical work was done as it could have been done under the minor electrical works exemption.
https://safeelectric.ie/help-advice/controlled-restricted-electrical-works/

for the oil tank it must have a bund and be enclosed in a chamber with 60min fire resistance which would be a concrete chamber
taken from building regs TGDs

5.2.4.1An oil storage tank with a capacity not
exceeding 3,500 litres should be located in
accordance with Table 10. For the purpose of
Table 10, the following terms apply:

Bund: a catchpit beneath the tank, without a
drain, constructed with non-permeable
materials and capable of containing the
contents of the tank, plus an additional 10%
(see CIRIA Report 163 for the construction of
masonry and concrete bunds).

Chamber: a fully enclosed ventilated space,
bounded by non-combustible 60 minutes fire
resisting construction (see Technical
Guidance Document , including a self
closing fire door wholly above the bund level.