Defects Diary: Building Pathology - Kimble Building Defects Analysis

This defects diary examines several structural issues affecting the Kimble Building, a three-story structure dating back to the 1800s located in Dundalk. The report focuses on defects such as wet rot and knotweed, detailing their identification, investigation, diagnosis, and remedial treatment. The analysis includes descriptions of the property, symptoms of the defects, and photographic evidence illustrating the problems. The investigation highlights the causes of the defects, such as inadequate maintenance and environmental conditions conducive to fungal and weed growth. Remedial treatments are suggested to address the identified issues and prevent further damage. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments for students.

1. INTRODUCTION............................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2. DEFECT NO. 1 – TIMBER DECAY (WET ROT) ......................................................... 4
2.1 Property Description......................................................................................... 4
2.2 Description of Defect and identification of the symptoms ................................. 6
2.3 Investigation of Defect...................................................................................... 8
2.4 Diagnosis of Defect .......................................................................................... 10
2.5 Remedial Treatment of Defect.......................................................................... 12

1. Introduction
This is a defects diary it will look at three different defects Annalise them and say what is the
case of the defect and how to fix these defects. The defect diary is basically looking at some
defects affecting the building structures. The diary will deeply give the analysis of each type
of the defect showing clearly the part that is affected. In the same case, the diary will focus on
some of the effects caused by the defects and some of the mechanisms which can be taken for
the purpose of solving them (Daw, and Davenport, 2016 p.83).
1.1 Defects Found in Commercial Buildings
There are a number of sources of a defect these can be things such as rainwater, vibration,
surface water, condensation, loadings, ground movement, corrosion, fungal attack or
anything that causes problems with a buildings fabric. In regard to the structures which are
affected by the defects, it is true that some of these defects are caused by a number of
sources. One of the causes is acidic rainfall. The rain which is composed of the acidic
compound brings about the corroding effects on the building materials and the side wall of
the building. Some of the chemicals in the rainy specifically the acid rain causes the defects
on the building structures (Josephson and Hammarlund, 2018. p.681). Other defects on the
buildings such as the cracks are basically caused by the vibration of the earth surface. This is
most profound in the areas with some moving objects such as trains, roads or industrial
regions causing the vibration of the earth surface. Surface water capillarity is another cause of
the corrosion of the building structures (Sharma and Richards, 2017. p.175). The surface
water raises the building wall through the capillarity process and therefore causing the
damping effects on the walls of the buildings. Fungal attacks are another causative of the
defects in most of the building structures. The wall area attacked by the moths and this leads

to the damping looking condition of the wall. The defects in the building walls cause the bad
looking of the buildings (Qiunan and Yongxing, 2014, p.3518).
1.2 Brief & Scope of Inspection
On some defects where possible voids were opened and defects were checked with others this
was not possible open or invasive investigation was carried out it must be appreciated that
certain defects may be present, but could not be decisively identified. The defects were
observed in some of the building structures and identified for better analysis. The
photographs were able to be taken illustrating clearly the defects in most of the building
structures. The effects of the defects were clearly observed through the keen analysis of the
photos taken (Park and Krishnamurti, 2015 p. 15-25). The photos illustrated some of the
defects observed such as Dump by leek caused by the leaking roofs during the rainy season.
Some area were not inspected of the same defects but the effects on other parts drawn a
conclusion that the same areas were as well affected by the defects.
2 Property Description
The Kimble building is a 1800s three story building. The building is situated in Dundalk
town centre. It is not a protected building as originally suggested by the owner and a building
contractor who worked on it, but on further inspection and correspondence with the Louth
County Council and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (N.I.A.H.), it was found
the building was not protected but was of historical significance so would need to be
approached with care. Originally the building was the old main office for Fyffes bananas.
The site has car access to the back and also street access to the front as well as a large carpark

that can be accessed across the road.The building comprises a downstairs arcade, middle
floor workshop and offices. On the second floor there is a small head office and a large open
plan office. At this moment in time the top two floors are undergoing some renovations but
are still in use while these renovations are taking place. To the back of the building there is a
yard with some old ruins of buildings. The building which was under observation of the
defects was the Kimble building. This building is a three-story building which was basically
approximated to have been constructed in the 1800s. The building is located in Dundalk
town center. Based on the property features, it is anything but an ensured working as initially
proposed by the proprietor and a building temporary worker who took a shot at it, yet on
further investigation. In the basis of the correspondence with the Louth County Council and
the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (N.I.A.H.), the building was discovered it
was not secured but rather was of verifiable essentialness so should be handled with careful
consideration (Hänninen, 2011 p.449). Historically, the building was the old primary office
for Fyffes bananas. The site has vehicle access to the back and furthermore road access to the
front and a substantial carpark that can be gotten to over the street. It is a well-structured
building from which it has a first floor arcade, center floor workshop, and workplaces (Van
Roosmalen and Cordfunke, 2011.p.212). Looking at the second floor, there is a little head
office and a substantial open arrangement office. As of now in time the main two stories are
experiencing a few redesigns yet are still being used while these remodels are occurring. To
the back of the working, there is a yard with some old vestiges of structures. The defect
which was discovered in this side of the building is a Knotweed as clearly seen in the photos
taken. The defect affects the back parts of the building specifically the windows at the back
parts as well back top parts. The wall of the build is as well affected by the black mould
(McAlexander, Schouten, and Koenig, 2012 p.38). This makes the wall to appear to be
having the black patches of clustered at a distance making the face of the wall look bad.

Another defect is found at the roof affected by the leek of the roof. This causes the damping
effect on the roof resulting to poor looking roofing region. Other parts affected by the defect
are on the wall of the back part of the wall (Rognebakke and Faltinsen, 2010, p. 158).
Generally, the location of this defect is at the back of the building it stems from the ground to
the second floor window from the outside but in fact the defect is most apparent on the
second floor at the window (Price, 2012. p. 125).
Defect title: Knotweed
2.1 Location of defect
The location of this defect is at the back of the building it stems from the ground to the
second floor window from the outside but in fact the defect is most apparent on the second
floor at the window. The knot weed is located in window and upper parts of the back region
of the building
2.2Description of the Defect and identification of symptoms
On inspection of the building from the rear of the building there is weeds growing through
the wall at the window sill (as shown in fig1) this has caused significant cracking on the
second floor around the windows (Fig2) this will also cause problems within the cavity and
can case cracking in the brick work and around other areas within the cavity. This cracks
around the window range from around 1mm to up to 7mm with some brickwork in very bad
condition. Internally there is no cracking that can be seen. This is not a localised problem it is
in different areas of the building this is most likely knotweed it is a common problem across
Ireland and can grow in many different areas.This can also cause foundation problems but
this is not visible on this defect at this stage but if the problem proceeds this could be the

case. Based on the investigation done over the building, it has been seen clearly that rear wall
of the building. The back of the working there is weeds becoming through the divider at the
window sill causing critical splitting on the second floor around the windows. This will
likewise cause issues inside the depression and can case breaking in the block work and
around different regions inside the crack (Maerz, Blossey, and Nuzzo, 2015 p.2901). This
break around the window goes from around 1mm to up to 7mm with some brickwork in
terrible condition.
Figure 1: Knotweed defect 1
Inside there is no splitting that can be seen it becomes is certifiably not a confined issue it is
in various parts of the building this is in all probability knotweed it is a typical issue

crosswise over wall below the window and can develop in a wide range of regions (Bauer,
Castro, Leal, and Antunes, 2011. p. 1089). This can likewise cause establishment issues yet
this isn't obvious on this deformity at this stage however in the event that the issue continues
this could be the situation. The weed growth may lead to small cracking of the wall and with
time it becomes a big issue as the roots of the knot weed penetrate thorough the bricks
spacing. The rear part of the building is said to be weak especially the window parts
following the effects brought about by the knot weeds.
Figure 2: Knotweed defect 2
2.3 Investigation
The case of this is not been maintained in the proper fashion and weeds would need to be
killed at the root it is very obvious at the window where the weeds are at their most stage of

growth the defects origin and type needs to be determined in this case it has come up from
inside the cavity also from looking up documents such as R.I.C.I Knotweed and Residential
PropertyInformation area that water will build up ad is also dark and damp Paper that this is
in fact a type of knotweed and the case of it being in the area is because it’s in an area of the
building this is the perfect environment of this type of weed to grow. Following the
investigation was done on the knotweed defect on the building, the instance of this isn't been
kept up in the correct weeds would be slaughtered at the root it is exceptionally evident at the
window where the weeds are at their most phase of development the imperfections starting
point and type should be resolved for this situation it has come up from inside the depression
additionally from looking into reports, for example, R.I.C.I Knotweed and Residential
Property Information region that water will develop advertisement is likewise dim and
clammy Paper this is in truth a kind of knotweed and its instance being in the region is on the
grounds that it's in a region of the building this is the ideal environment of this kind of weed
to develop (Hollingsworth, and BAILEY, 2010 p.463-472). The application of some
preventative chemicals will prevent the spread of the weed on the window section for the
building.
2.4 Diagnosis of Defect
The defect has been diagnosed through observation of some cracks and penetration of
knotweed roots through the window (Inouye, 2008 p.353). This has observed mostly on the
second flow in the rear part of the building. It all started as small plants weeds but with time
to destructive knotweed that need to be controlled. The photos for the same weed were taken
so that its effects can be seen in a clear manner over the parts of the building.
2.5 Remedial Treatment of Defect

The knotweed can be treated by making sure that it is removed when it is young. It can be
chemically spread so as to kill its seeds and small foliage. The window parts showing the
signs of water flow leakage which some time help for the growth of the weed can be prepared
so as to mend the parts where the weed can sprout.
Conclusion
Prevention of the weed is one of the important things to be considered in most of the old
building conserving the effects that it causes (Vrchotová, and Sera, 2008 p.301). The most
important thing to be observed is making sure the house is inspected daily so as to identify
any form of the knotweed development on the window structures. The chemicals should be
applied on the window sections and any other part found to be affected by the weed so as to
prevent its effects on the building.
Defect title: Frost attack/damage
2.1 Location of defect
This defect is located on the back wall of the building in the yard area and is not a localised
problem it has occurred in many different areas of this wall.
2.2 Description of the Defect and identification of symptoms
Frost attack or Frost damage is a problem that usually occurs more commonly in older
buildings with older brickwork and those that were not built with the right type of brickwork.
In newer constructionfrost attack tends to be confined to areas of severe weather exposure
also where the frost resistance was not correctly specified and the proper grad of brick was
not used
The capability of brick or block being used to resist frost attack is determined by the make up
or structures of the brick e.g. the more pores the brick has the more water it will retain.

(Every brick has a percentage pores that and different grads) of Frost attack occurs through
a combination of extremely wet brickwork from things like rain or leeks is exposed to the
elements and freezing temperatures. Then when the water turns to ice, there is a 9% increase
in its volume. This expansion can produce stress within the brick, which causes spalling, with
the brick face flaking off and/or crumbling. Mortar is also subject to frost attack. In a
deteriorating state both elements more readily absorb water which in turn increases the rate of
frost damage.
Although the risk of frost attack is increased where the saturated brick is subjected to
particularly low temperatures, it is the rapidity of the freeze-thaw cycle that causes the
damage. As the process is progressive, frost attack can lead to total disintegration of the
brick.
The actual level of moisture within a given material not only depends on the porosity of the
material, but also on the temperature and relative humidity of the surrounding air. In damper
environments, moisturelevels in materials are higher than in drier environments. Obviously a
material will absorb more moisture if it is exposed to rain.
The moisture content can also be greatly modified depending on what the material is in
contact with. If a brickwall is constructed without a damp-proof course then moisture from
the ground is absorbed into the brick through capillary action. Likewise, moisture can be
absorbed by bricks if moist earth is in contact with the wall. Both these effects can also lead
to rising damp. Note that as the moisture content of bricks increases, thermal resistance
decreases and so thermal insulating properties are reduced.

Frost attack will be a potential problem where brickwalls become saturated. Saturation can
occur because of the failure of the design to protect brickwork or where an inappropriate
brick type has been selected in an exposed position. It is also possible that individual bricks
may be of poor quality, having been inadequately fired or because they contain impurities
(Murray, 2014 p.691).
Boundary walls are particularly prone to frost attack. The sides and the top of wall are
exposed to the elements and they are therefore easily saturated, particularly if the wall has
inadequate copings. Exposure means that they are also subject to extremes of temperatures,
including freezing conditions. The tops of walls often suffer the most because of radiative
heat losses to the night air.
Roof overhangs and other key design details can offer protection from saturation. This
protection will also guard against very low temperatures and in many cases the heat losses
from inside the house will keep the temperature of the brickwork above freezing.
There have been cases where frost attack has occurred in older brickcavity walls following
the insertion of thermal insulation in the wall cavity. Cavity insulation, by its very nature,
lowers the temperature of the external leaf and restricts evaporation into the cavity.
Wall treatments such as the use of silicone (as a remedy for rain penetration) can also cause
problems, because when applied inappropriately, they may inhibit the drying out of the
brickwork and therefore increase the likelihood of frost attack.
This is one of the damages which generally occur in most of the buildings constructed in the
long period of time and generally old buildings (Linkosalo, 2010 p.1175).

Figure 3: Frost damage 1
The extent of the damage or the frost attack is basically determined by the type of the brick
used as well as the structure of the brick used (Murray and Fowler, 2011 p.307). For instance
the more the porous is the brick, more the effects of the frost attack is likely to be
experienced based on the fact that the parts will be highly attacked by the harsh climatic
condition as it is exposed to the freezing range of temperatures (Hänninen, 2011 pp.449).