ABSTRACT
This chapter considers dampness, building movement, timber defects and roof covering and roof structure problems. These defects have the greatest potential for causing the owner of a house considerable expense. Trees are an important part of the urban landscape and if all trees that could adversely affect buildings were to be removed then this landscape would be destroyed in many of our towns and cities. The traditional advice about the proximity of trees to buildings on clay subsoils is that the tree should be at least its mature height from any buildings, and where there are groups of trees then these should be at least one and a half times their mature height away. The surveyor should check details of the floor joists, staircase access and natural lighting to ensure that the room has been provided in accordance with Building Regulations.
