Question About Access to Gable Wall After Construction Porject Nextdoor.

Timmybauld

Hi folks, looking for some advice. There is a set of appartments going up beside my end of terrace house, three stories and then stepping off to four eventually. According to the plans they are building right up to the gable wall with no space in between.



In this type of situation, what provisions should there be then for me to access the gable for repairs if needed given that it is an old house? Ive repeatedly asked those reponsible for the build for a discussion on this question but have received no answer.



I have other concerns around the effect of vibrations on the foundations from piling and other ground works, the dust already from clearing the site is unpleasant - but the lack of a response on this gable issue is bothering me as already today I felt a massive bang in the house as a JCB hit the gable, later after the builders were gone I was able to look in the fence and noticed that here was a clear mark/chunk in the render where the JCB has "scraped" it.



I paid about 3k a few years ago to have the render on the gable reparied as it was exhibiting cracks. On the brightside, I recognise the new build beside me could offer some form of long term insualtion for the house by default - but ultimately my core concern about being able to access and maintain the wall remains.


While this a 4 story building, Im sure the same arises on a more minor level with garden extensions and so on. Could the cavity in between the buildings be pumped with foam insulation or other protection created to protect the wall from water ingress or the elements given that it will no longer be accessible??


Thanks.

BryanF

Hire a structural engineer. They could periodically monitor your property during the works. Given the JCB issue, the question may be who pays for the engineer. If they are ignoring you it could be an expensive exercise. But start by talking to a structural engineer and then possibly a solicitor.

Calahonda52

can you please post some pictures of the gap as well as the damage

Timmybauld

Thanks, had considered a structural engineer alright, so thanks for that. The damage is really just a scrap and these things happen. I just want to ensure that long term going forward its protected against weather and the type of damp that builds up in between the cavities between two walls. Would it be possible to get insulation injected between that cavity that will emerge there going forwards for instance? The house is an end of terrace red brick, the existing red brick was rendered by the previous owner - I just repaired it. Id imagine as well, that given its red brick nature there is a certain need for the house to breathe in terms of damp as well.

BryanF

Re red brick and pumping insulation - suggest you need one of the better product reps to comment - the likes of Weber or Sto. But it’s worth looking into before the neighbours get the adjecent wall up?

that’ll put you under pressure start ringing on Monday, remember we’re in holiday season.

Metric Tensor

You need to get a pre-construction survey done of your own house right now because if any damage is done during construction you need a base line for proof.

Unfortunately I believe you may need to engage a solicitor in order to get any response from them and also to push for them to pay for ongoing monitoring of your house. It'll end up costing you money matter what you do - which is unfair - but even if you have to pay for it yourself get an in-depth structural survey/condition report done as soon as possible including LOTS of pictures.

With regards to gable access for maintenance I don't know if there's much you can do

PMBC

BryanF wrote: »

Hire a structural engineer. They could periodically monitor your property during the works. Given the JCB issue, the question may be who pays for the engineer. If they are ignoring you it could be an expensive exercise. But start by talking to a structural engineer and then possibly a solicitor.

If they are building right up to your gable wall, which is a redbrick end of terrace house, so could be 1930sish, what is their foundation detail there relative to your property? Sometimes these details are (incorrectly) left to be worked out on site.
So a strong yes to Structural Engineer to report on that element of the work.