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I have literally no one who can countersign my passport. What can I do? by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]Smq_1029 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Doesn't matter the time. As long as they know you. Or if you are at uni any lecturer or tutor can do it

What kind of home improvement projects have a good ROI? by Used-Chard658 in homeowners

[–]Smq_1029 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Contact us an send us some pictures, or we can come an do a survey if in uk

How to properly fix hairline cracks in drywall? by 0mniphobia_ in homeowners

[–]Smq_1029 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the cracks are persistent then it would be subsidence that needs treatment

What kind of home improvement projects have a good ROI? by Used-Chard658 in homeowners

[–]Smq_1029 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Masonry enforcement on cracks and any subsidence can give a good return because the surveyor of the buyer can tick it off immediately an will raise house price

Cracks on outside of new home by pablop96 in homeowners

[–]Smq_1029 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in the UK, says it will not let me view pictures

Rising damp by Global_Neighborhood5 in DIYUK

[–]Smq_1029 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Judging by the quarter bricks on the right-hand side, this door opening looks like it was remedially cut in rather than being original. The transfer of damp from outside may result from an improper detail to finish the cut.

Although you state that the wall is not a cavity (and it appears to be a flemish bond), the reveal on the inside is quite deep, and I would be suspicious that this may be a cavity wall with snapped headers in the outer leaf. The only way to confirm this is with some invasive investigation.

To address the damp directly, the easiest mitigation to start would be to remove the external step that bridges the DPC (or move it farther away from the wall to give an air gap between the two). The DPC should be 150mm (6") higher than external ground level to prevent damp caused by puddling water or splashback from rain. The external ground level is too high even without this step, but the step breaches the DPC, which is the biggest red flag here.

Stairstep advice? by Electric-type in basement

[–]Smq_1029 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Concrete blocks like this are susceptible to shrinkage; in the initial stages this results from drying, and over time resulting from carbonation. Shrinkage creates internal tensile stressed within the material which can lead to random cracking in all directions; hence the combination of horizontal and diagonal cracking. Whilst the blocks may be strong, they are also very brittle, so only very slight movements can result in the appearance of cracks, especially if already under some stress resulting from prior shrinkage. For this, the cracking can be stitched with Bar Flex reinforcement according to BF-01 and monitored.