Just to save a penny!: Rod Appleyard’s day in the life of a fenestration surveyor

In the red corner we have Richard Lambert, who first said that his accredited producers were as pure as driven snow and that although their frames did not always comply with the British Standards Institute standards it did not matter as they were very old standards and it was how they interpreted them that counts. He also proclaimed that BSI standards should not be used in a contract as a bench-mark of performance or specification. Hmm, that’s neat, I wonder if all the professional bodies know they have been getting it wrong all this time let alone the government. Still he has a good second in his corner, in the 520 Committee that formulates the Standards, Chairman Mr. Brian Waldron.

Now I had a long chat with Brian and in between many ums and ahs he was quite positive that the British Standards were only a recommendation and should not be used as a bench-mark of performance in a contract. This was a taped conversation to protect the innocent, me.

In the blue corner we have the whole construction industry, every professional body you can think of and not last by any means the Government who refer to BSI standards in every form of procurement and contract.

Stay with me as it now gets interesting. As part of my phone call with Brian Waldron it was agreed that if I placed my questions in front of him in writing he would answer. As to date no answer! Although he has informed me that the BSI are wishing to go over the answers so there will be a delay.

Let’s look at the legal point: if a specific performance is quoted in a contract to be that expected, then that is the bench-mark to attain and the performance or product will be measured against it. Let’s not forget the old provisions of ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Workmanlike Manner’.

I will let you know of the replies to my questions as soon as they are received. IF I ever receive them.

Flashing News

On to another hot topic: ‘Flashing’ or should it be a matter of to flash in lead or not to flash in lead? That is the question.

Now through these column inches I have banged on repeatedly about how I find that the lead is just about bent into a cut in the supporting wall of the house instead of the recommended 35mm and how the correct lap and overlap is very seldom found. In fact to such an extent that Ultraframe bless their hearts have produced a specifically designed product to make it almost fool proof, and yes I did say almost. It is good, it works in the right places but it is not a product that fits all requirements although they are working on it.

I am going to look at good old-fashioned lead as opposed to sticky mastic sheeting by whatever brand name you chose to use. Lead as we know has been around for hundreds of years and works extremely well. As we all know the flimsy Code Three stuff is not supposed to be fitted.

What’s that you say? You know! Well yes you do, but then why is it that eight out of ten jobs that I look at have it fitted? Maybe it’s shrunk! But at least it is lead, which is better than the sticky stuff. The sticky stuff may be quick cheaper and easier but will not last and is harder to correct.

The reason for this tirade is all down to one of many clients that suffered from this product. In this case it was so bad that I have included a picture with this piece. You see the conservatory was south facing and suffered from extreme heat gain. This in turn caused extremes of expansion and contraction. Within hours the roof started to leak, but not with water but black sticky stuff all down the walls.

Our intrepid fitters did not even manage to let the flashing into the wall instead relying on adhesion and a big dollop of luck to keep it in place. All that can be said is they tried, bless them, they tried.

Pocket Guide

The result of this quick and easy approach was that the wall had to be partially re-plastered, the roof had to come off and a section replaced, then last but not least a Code Four lead installed to effect a water tight joint.

The cost? Well I will leave that for you to work out although I am sure it was a lot more than the money and time saved first time round.

If you need a quick guide to lead flashing give the British Lead Association a ring and for a miniscule sum you are able to get a pocket guide on how lead is supposed to be installed.

Heros of the Month

For getting the job done: ‘Hammer Jack’, who took a heavy hammer to a house of PVC-U frames to make them fit whilst telling the householder that it was the best way as they would never fall out after he had fit them.

For innovation beyond belief: ‘The Sun Brothers’, who used newspapers and cleaning paper to back the extra wide gaps when silicon sealing up an installation in Watford.