Condition Surveys around Slurry Pipeline Mishap - Kent

Whilst drilling horizontally for a new pipeline within 200 metres of private residences in Kent, unforeseen geological conditions resulted in drilling slurry traversing horizontally and flooding out through a well adjacent to the front door of one of the houses.

The slurry flowed into the under-floor void, contaminating it.  It also flowed over the drive and the planting borders and caused a traffic hazard when it reached the nearby main road.

Consultation with the police, the fire brigade and the Environment Agency led to a prompt clean up operation.  

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were engaged by the drilling company to assist with their insurers to objectively assess the extent of the damage to the house and land and to scope the necessary clean up operation and remedial works to the newly refurbished period house.

Insurance Reinstatement Due To Damage Caused By a Collapsed Wall, Kent

Late on New Year’s Eve a 200 year old eight foot high retaining wall collapsed, landing on the neighbour’s prestige car.

The ownership of the retaining wall was lost to history and both neighbours obtained reliable legal opinion that the wall was not theirs.

The insurers of both properties were approached and also the insurers of the damaged motor car and all disclaimed liability.

Causation had to be established and liability attributed but eventually, under the guidance of Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors, the two neighbouring owners agreed to progress the necessary remedial works jointly and to share the costs equally.

A feasibility exercise was undertaken, considering traditional construction, reinforced concrete, steel piling, gabions, pre-cast units, crib wall and hollow concrete blocks.

Civil and structural engineering advice was procured, a specification agreed upon in consultation with experienced civil contractors, and the works were successfully completed, resulting in an attractive brick finish and the addition of car park lighting.

Sewage Leaks Into Residential Basement

A majority utilities replacement programme resulted in a foul drain becoming broken under a residential street in Tonbridge, Kent and raw sewage leaking into a nearby basement, the residence of an elderly lady.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were employed by the national utilities contractor to provide an objective assessment of the extent of the damage, the decontamination work necessary, the repair, drying and redecoration work necessary and any ancillary costs such as temporary re-housing which may be required.

Our inspection and report quickly established the true position, including pre-existing dampness, and enabled the contractor to obtain authorisation from insurers to proceed to quickly reinstate the premises without unnecessary delay.