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Thursday, February 22, 2007
molar
Parcela
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We are in the process of purchasing a villa near Mojacar. On our last visit in January, following heavy rainfall, the basement was flooded to a depth of about 15 cms. We were told by the builder that part of the basement wall needed to be rebuilt as it was not properly constructed. Now we are told that it does not require rebuilding and they will apply waterproofing material inside and outside and have an another company undertake "special waterproofing work". Does any one have experience of the causes of basements flooding?
Also, to help us make a decision on how to proceed, we asked our solicitor to have the basement problem inspected by a technical architect/building surveyor.. We have been advised by solicitor this morning yhat local technical architects will not produce a written report as it could compromise their relationship with their local colleagues.
Can anyone recommend a building surveyor / technical architect, in Mojacar or Almeria region, whom we could instruct to survey the property before any remedial action is taken by the builder?
We want to be sure that what is being proposed will be the appropriate solution to the problem.
Finally, what is a technical architect?
Many thanks
Harry
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22 Feb 2007 11:29 PM
Smiley
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A technical architect is an approved surveyor and believe it or not architect. While I am not in your area I will endeavour to answer your question. The situation with the basement is extremely serious and needs careful supervision and inspection. If a local wont come in for fear of pissing off his mates get an outsider in. Basement flooding is a notorious problem in Spain. Most Spanish construction companies take nothing like the care and attention that surveyors/builders do in the UK when putting together a house and building regs here are a very new idea and nothing like as stringent as the UK. For instance no such thing as a damp proof course. Insulation levels are generally poor because they are concentrating on other things such as trying to build a house to stay cool. They view humidity problems as temporary owing to the fact most of the year it is dry - thus why worry too much. Nonetheless if you do not wish your basement to flood once you take ownership I would insist that remedial work is done now - it will be significantly more difficult and disruptive and costly when the house is finished and if it is flooding now owing to a poorly constructed wall there may even be a more deep seated problem. If they are not willing to produce a written report it rather speaks for itself I imagine as it is only likely to condemn the work done so far. There are many reasons for basements flooding and it could be the ground has been poorly prepared for drainage etc. Or possibly it is being built on a natural water table or you may be at the nbottom of a hill. Our neighbours basement is bone dry for 3/4 of the year but there is some level of humidity for the rest. Even to the extent of running water down walls in periods of extreme weather.
I do know a UK qualified surveyor working down here - spends most of his time on a project in Gibraltar at the moment but he may be willing to do freelance work although whether he will go to Almeria I do not know and you would have to discuss with him his fees etc.
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