Quality of new build houses

[Stephen]

Wow, sounds exactly like what's happening to our gardens. Though we're in Glasgow and it's called Riverside.

Have attached a photo of the worst part between us and our neighbours. Currently it's not rained for 4 days, but still it's wet and mushy. Haven't even cut it yet this year as I don't want to tread on it

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Wow, sounds exactly like what's happening to our gardens. Though we're in Glasgow and it's called Riverside.

Have attached a photo of the worst part between us and our neighbours. Currently it's not rained for 4 days, but still it's wet and mushy. Haven't even cut it yet this year as I don't want to tread on it

This is unbelievable, it's not rained in Glasgow for four days

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

This is unbelievable, it's not rained in Glasgow for four days

never heard that one before

Originally Posted by Stephen

Wow, sounds exactly like what's happening to our gardens. Though we're in Glasgow and it's called Riverside.

Have attached a photo of the worst part between us and our neighbours. Currently it's not rained for 4 days, but still it's wet and mushy. Haven't even cut it yet this year as I don't want to tread on it

It may not have rained for 4 days but it rained pretty constantly last winter and for much of the spring. Our own back garden is also soft to the point of squelching and the front had standing water on it after a storm early last week, however it was not like that during the first winter we were here (2022-23).

You may have poorly draining land but this past winter has brought out the worst in it.

[Stephen]

Yeah, it has been worse recently but still was like this since we've moved in. They've actually set up a project manager to redo all the gardens in every street.

They've had complaints ever since the beginning. Others have been much worse.

[Halcyon]

The builders leave all sorts in gardens underground including plastic, rubble, etc so no wonder the gardens can't absorb rain water.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

The builders leave all sorts in gardens underground including plastic, rubble, etc so no wonder the gardens can't absorb rain water.

Although correct, if anything rubble would help in drainage.

[Anonymouse]

Mmm. In 1975 our estate was built using breezeblocks; it was meant to be a temporary thing when we moved in, our side of our home street having been subject to compulsory purchase (then again my parents made a profit on the deal, getting more for the house than they'd paid for it).

49 years later, the estate's still there. Proof that there is nothing in this world so permanent as a temporary emergency.

But at least the houses were rewired...several years after we moved in. Ever tried to replace a plug socket when the wires are solid copper instead of strands - and the copper's work hardened? I have. Can't recommend it.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

Mmm. In 1975 our estate was built using breezeblocks; it was meant to be a temporary thing when we moved in, our side of our home street having been subject to compulsory purchase (then again my parents made a profit on the deal, getting more for the house than they'd paid for it).

49 years later, the estate's still there. Proof that there is nothing in this world so permanent as a temporary emergency.

But at least the houses were rewired...several years after we moved in. Ever tried to replace a plug socket when the wires are solid copper instead of strands - and the copper's work hardened? I have. Can't recommend it.

Most mains wiring is single strand copper nowadays (2.5mm twin & earth). Never had a problem replacing a socket, I've replaced many.

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

Ever tried to replace a plug socket when the wires are solid copper instead of strands

Replaced and installed more than I can remember, storage radiators as well.
I've never actually seen stranded copper wires used for house wiring (it is perfectly acceptable though).

[Taf]

Originally Posted by Paul

I've never actually seen stranded copper wires used for house wiring (it is perfectly acceptable though).

A council house near me was found to have its original late 40s wiring in the early years of this century. Rubber-coated stranded copper wire wrapped in a cotton sheath. Even the plugs were an old type, with the live pin being a screw-in fuse (Dorman Smith). They used to be called "Corporation Plugs", as only the city council could sell them.

[Taf]

On Youtube is a Welsh guy who inspects new build homes. The stuff he finds is shocking.

"New Home Quality Control"

e.g. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDDl2y2Z_Rg

[Mr K]

They seem to be building them on flood plains a lot. Makes sense to someone I'm sure...

[GrimUpNorth]

Originally Posted by Mr K

They seem to be building them on flood plains a lot. Makes sense to someone I'm sure...

Yeah, the land's much cheaper, so the profits are higher.

[Taf]

Originally Posted by Mr K

They seem to be building them on flood plains a lot. Makes sense to someone I'm sure...

A load of houses were built on a flood plain near us. After a few years it was obvious that most were sinking as the ground was not stable. A couple were demolished, but the others had concrete "rafts" built under then.

Despite flood defences being erected several years earlier, they cannot be insured against flooding due to "historic floods". Our home is the same behind a 3-metre dyke, and no floods since the early 60s.