In this episode of The Foundations of Building Surveying, I examine the extraordinary rainfall patterns affecting the UK in 2026 and explore what they mean for the hundreds of thousands of late-Victorian and interwar houses that define London and much of the South East. Drawing on rainfall data from the past 126 years, I explain how changing weather patterns, warmer air, and prolonged saturation are interacting with London Clay and other shrinkable soils.

This is not a message of alarm but a professional assessment of risk. We look at how shallow foundations, traditional brickwork, suspended timber floors, and ageing roof coverings respond to persistent moisture. We also consider what may happen if a hot summer follows an exceptionally wet winter, and why insurers are likely already preparing for an increase in movement-related claims.

Above all, this episode is about understanding mechanisms. Ground movement, clay softening, expansion, contraction, and the consequences of poor surface water management are not abstract concepts. They are physical processes affecting real buildings across the country. Good maintenance and informed observation remain the first line of defence.

Cracks in Residential Buildings: A Visual Guide to Structural Movement and Common Defects is a practical, easy-to-use reference written for homeowners, buyers, landlords, and property professionals.

Based on real residential inspections, the book explains why cracks occur, how they are assessed in practice, and how to distinguish between minor cosmetic defects and signs of structural movement. It focuses on traditional brick and timber construction, where uncertainty and misunderstanding are most common.

Clear photographs, concise explanations, repair guidance, and a simple decision guide allow readers to find answers quickly without wading through technical theory.

Written by Tomasz Sikorski, Principal Property Surveyor and Registered Valuer at SurveyAll, this book is an essential reference for anyone involved in buying, managing, or assessing residential property.

Available on Amazon UK soon.

This short episode highlights how surveyors can lead the way towards a more transparent and reliable property market. It showcases SurveyAll’s proactive approach with its Pre-sale service, a comprehensive, digital system that prepares properties for sale before they even reach the market. Through clear, verified documentation and professional condition checks, sellers can avoid last-minute complications, while buyers gain the confidence of knowing exactly what they’re purchasing. This process reduces fall-throughs, builds trust, and creates a more efficient, honest housing market for everyone involved. SurveyAll Ready represents preparedness, transparency, and progress, the modern way to sell property.

In this episode of we explore one of the most common but often misunderstood issues in London housing, the effect of shrink–swell clay soils on Victorian terraces.

Through the example of a typical two-storey mid-terrace, we explain how much such a house really weighs, whether clay can “lift” a building, and where the real danger lies. We discuss seasonal shrinkage, tree roots, shallow foundations, and why one house may crack while its neighbour remains unaffected.

With clear analogies and references to scientific guidance, this episode demystifies the phenomenon of clay movement and makes sense of what surveyors see on the ground, movements measured in millimetres but with consequences felt in everyday living.

Welcome to today's podcast, where we delve deeply into a widely misunderstood but crucial topic in residential property surveying: accurately detecting and interpreting dampness in buildings. We'll explore why moisture readings alone can be misleading, what other essential factors must be considered, and how a comprehensive understanding of moisture dynamics can help us avoid costly errors and confusion.

Explore how roof coverings in Britain evolved from thatch and clay to slate, felt, and modern composites. This episode examines the materials, systems, and design choices that shaped roofing practice, including conservation challenges, structural risks, and common survey observations. Ideal for trainee surveyors or anyone keen to understand why roofs fail, how they perform, and what they reveal about the buildings they protect.

This episode explores bitumen and asphalt, two essential materials used in roofing, damp-proofing, and tanking. We trace their geological origins, historical use in ancient and modern construction, and their roles in UK housing. We explain how they’re used in flat roofs, DPCs, and basements, highlight common defects, and look at modern alternatives and sustainability issues. A must-listen for surveyors seeking to better understand these often overlooked but critical waterproofing materials.

In this episode, we trace the evolution of timber as a building material, from primitive shelters shaped with stone tools to its resurgence in modern sustainable construction. We explore how timber’s natural properties, including its grain structure, strength, breathability, and ease of use, have made it a foundational element in buildings across centuries. We look at species relevant to the UK, the rise of engineered timber, and timber’s widespread use in domestic housing, from floor joists and roof structures to doors, stairs, and decorative joinery. We also examine the risks, rot, infestation, fire, and discuss how careful detailing and sustainable sourcing are key to timber’s future. Whether in a Tudor beam or a glulam frame, timber remains one of the most versatile and enduring materials in building history.