Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Sharp and Howell 4Sep 18, 2016 4:21 pm Yes it was. They took around 15-20 samples of mortar from around the house and ran an analysis on it. The report included the chemical analysis and the ratio of sand/lime/cement. The report also stated whether or not the mortar passed the standards, and included some rectification options as ours didn't meet the standards. I'd happily get them to do mortar testing again if I ever needed it in the future. I thought their report would favour the builder (as they paid for the report), but to my surprise it was an honest and stats based report. Re: Sharp and Howell 6Sep 18, 2016 6:25 pm I'm not too sure on the cost as the builder paid for the testing. Solution is to re-point some parts of the house that were really bad, and then apply a chemical hardener to the entire mortar on the house, and then have NawKaw colour match the entire mortar so visually it is the same. The other options suggested by Sharp and Howell were: 1) Repoint the entire house 2) Chemical hardener 3) Render So we've got a combination of #1 and #2 - it hasn't been done yet so can't comment on how it went. Re: Sharp and Howell 9Oct 05, 2016 11:03 pm I have had a quite questionable experience with this company/lab.Similarly to above poster my new home/build presents with extremely sandy mortar in large sections throughout the build.There is a great deal of pitting and on the lower courses the morter is cracking and crumbling.You can literally rub/scratch the mortar out with your bare finger in some areas.After having an independent inspection and complaining to the builder they eventually got Sharp and Howells out to test the mortar.I had previously clearly marked the areas of most concern.(you can easily sight them as well as they look too sandy)However,Sharp and Howells took their samples outside of these areas and then mixed the samples together to form their main 2 samples to test.Needless to say the result favoured the builder.When I questioned this method of testing with both Sharp and Howells and the builder (several times) no response was forthcoming.My opinion is that the method of testing was not fit for the nature and purpose of the complaint. I am now left with areas of mortar that appear not to be compliant with AS 3700.With recent weather there is now further erosion/cracking evident and I am forced to follow the matter up via the VBA.I would be cautious getting testing done via the builder themselves as they are then the client.(i have learnt this the hard way).If anyone can offer further advice or recommend an honest and reputable company/lab that is not affiliated with Sharp and Howell for mortar testing I am all ears. Re: Sharp and Howell 10Oct 06, 2016 8:10 am What do you expect from a consultant that is employed by the builder to say..,.? Your own independent structural engineer will now need to check the wall components in relation to load combination effects, durability, fire, environmental factors, wind, eccentric loading, mortar strength (MPa) deterioration, etc,etc As you can see there are a lot of factors & calculations and great expense I can't stress how important it is to have your own independent engineering checks during design/construction Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs I recently went through a similar renovation and move scenario when updating our family home. We also swapped some rooms around and tackled a major… 2 10033 The HIA contract, in the term & conditions section states that "Commencment" is deemed when the drainage is started or the piers are dug or the slab is formed up (incase… 2 6177 Hi there, We've just build a new hardwood (Greybox) deck and am wondering whether firepit protective mats/surfaces are sufficient? I'm not sure that they're heat… 0 2116 |