Southwark contains a significant stock of post-war social housing with panel-clad and rendered facades that require specialist investigation. From the large estates of Peckham and Camberwell to the riverside developments of Bankside and Bermondsey, our facade investigation team brings expertise across the full range of facade systems found in the borough.
Post-war panel systems, including large precast concrete panels, GRC cladding and retrospective external wall insulation, present specific defect patterns. Joint failures, carbonation of concrete panels, corrosion of embedded fixings and water ingress through failed sealants are common findings across Southwark's social housing stock.
We provide facade investigations for both social housing providers and private owners across Southwark, identifying defects, assessing structural adequacy and producing repair or replacement specifications. Our reports are designed to support funding applications and planned maintenance programmes.
Systematic visual survey of all external elevations, supplemented by close-up inspection using binoculars, drone photography or rope access where required. We map defects by type, location and severity to establish the overall condition of the facade.
Identification of facade materials, construction methods and original specification through visual assessment, percussion testing and, where necessary, targeted opening-up and laboratory analysis. Understanding the material composition is essential to accurate defect diagnosis.
Systematic investigation of water ingress pathways using moisture profiling, thermal imaging, hose testing and targeted opening-up. We trace water from point of entry to point of appearance, identifying the specific failure that is allowing moisture penetration.
Detailed repair specifications that contractors can price directly. We specify materials, methods, access requirements and performance standards for all remedial works, and can administer repair contracts through to completion and sign-off.
FRAEW assessments, EWS1 certificates and fire safety surveys for residential buildings.
View ServiceExpert diagnosis of damp, cracking, movement and structural defects.
View ServiceEWS1 external wall fire review assessments for mortgage and sale purposes.
View ServiceA facade investigation is a systematic assessment of an external wall to identify defects, diagnose their causes and recommend remedial action. This typically involves visual survey, percussion testing of render and cladding, moisture profiling, targeted opening-up and, where necessary, material sampling for laboratory analysis.
Fees for facade investigations in Southwark depend on the size and complexity of the building. A focused investigation of a single elevation typically starts from around £1,500, while a comprehensive survey of a large mansion block or multi-storey building may range from £4,000 to £12,000 depending on access requirements and the extent of opening-up.
Yes. Every facade investigation report includes a detailed repair specification that contractors can price directly. We specify materials, methods and performance standards, and can administer repair contracts through to completion if required.
We can typically arrange an initial facade inspection in Southwark within 5 to 10 working days. Where rope access or MEWP hire is required, lead times may be slightly longer depending on access arrangements and third-party availability.