Welcome to Cockrams Surveying Blog

Tanking/Cellar Conversions

Saturday, 26 November, 2011

Many contractors use the Sovereign Hey’di K11 Grey System for all underground damp proofing works. This product can stand up to 120 feet of head water pressure and is ideal for converting cellars into living accommodation. This application is also used where the external ground levels are higher than internal floor level or that the … Read More »

External Render

Saturday, 26 November, 2011

As with the bonding between bricks, it is vitally important to keep external finishes in good condition to reduce the risk of penetrating dampness into the property. This is particularly important with cob walls where the lime render is applied with a micro porous washed finish to allow the underlying cob material to evaporate out … Read More »

Re-pointing

Saturday, 26 November, 2011

Wall tie corrosion is often caused by poor joints between bricks which allow water to penetrate the construction. You would need to have a full re-pointing service done which involves raking out of the existing pointing to at least 20mm before applying a new mortar mix appropriate for the type of construction.

Wall Ties

Saturday, 26 November, 2011

Properties built before 1981 were fitted with galvanised steel wall ties. These were prone to corrosion which caused the outward movement of brick or block work which can develop into more serious structural defects. You can locate and isolate the corroded ties and fit a stainless steel mechanical replacement wall tie. These works are all … Read More »

Why are people coming to Cornwall?

Monday, 21 November, 2011

The secret isn’t ‘just out’ as the phenomenon of people escaping to Cornwall has been prevalent for years. A trawl of the internet will provide many tales of why individuals have left the large towns and cities for a change of pace, for work and for love and through their tales is the common thread … Read More »

Retaining Wall Stabilisation

Monday, 14 November, 2011

Unstable retaining walls can be quickly and efficiently stabilised using Platipus Ground Anchor Systems. The anchors, designed to work in a variety of soil conditions, and installed to depths ranging from 3m to 10m are capable of generating loads in excess of 100kn, and are available in a range of materials to suit short and … Read More »

Slope Stabilisation

Monday, 14 November, 2011

Slopes, Embankments and Excavations can be quickly and cost effectively stabilised utilising Platipus Ground Anchor Systems, erosion control coir matting and a variety of appropriate geotextiles. This method of Soil-Nailing can be carried out on slopes up to 70 degrees and the anchors are installed using hand-held equipment, lending itself to restrictive access working, with … Read More »

Temporary Works Support

Monday, 14 November, 2011

Excavations, Slips and Slopes can be quickly and cost effectively stabilised utilising Platipus Ground Anchor Systems, mesh reinforcement and timber soldiers. This method of Temporary Works carried out ‘top-down’ can stabilise cut faces up to 70 degrees and the anchors can be installed using either excavator mounted or hand-held equipment for restrictive access working. This … Read More »

Construction…

Thursday, 27 October, 2011

So what is a property of non-standard construction? The following are regarded as traditional construction: Walls • Cavity outer walls of brick/reconstituted stone with inner walls of brick or block. • Cavity outer walls of brick/reconstituted stone/blocks rendered with inner walls of brick or block • Timber framed property with outer walls of brick/reconstituted stone, … Read More »

Japanese Knotweed Part 2

Tuesday, 18 October, 2011

Our first article on this invasive species identified what it looks like, how it grows and the structural damage it can cause to your property. This offering aims to highlight the detrimental effects it can have on your pocket. Japanese Knotweed the real problems: • Japanese knotweed is a difficult plant to eradicate and if … Read More »