Glossary

Inspection glossary – the jargon in your Swedish inspection report, explained

Swedish inspection reports are written in cautious technical language, where terms like förhöjd fuktkvot or riskkonstruktion can mean anything from nothing at all to several hundred thousand kronor. Here we explain the most common terms in plain English: what the inspector actually saw, how serious it usually is, and what a repair normally costs. Written for anyone reading a report before buying a house in Sweden.

• Eftersatt underhåll (deferred maintenance)

  Deferred maintenance means normal upkeep wasn't done on time: painting, sealant joints, waterproofing membranes, or replacements that should have…

• Enstegstätad fasad (single-layer rendered facade)

  A single-layer rendered facade (enstegstätad fasad) is render applied directly onto insulation with no air gap behind it. The construction lacks a…

• Fortsatt teknisk utredning (further technical investigation)

  Further technical investigation means the inspector (besiktningsman) has seen something that cannot be assessed visually and recommends a deeper…

• Fuktgenomslag (moisture breakthrough)

  Moisture breakthrough (fuktgenomslag) means moisture has made its way through a structure and become visible on the inside — typically a dark stain…

• Förhöjd fuktkvot (elevated moisture content)

  Elevated moisture content means the inspector (besiktningsman) measured more moisture in wood or another material than is normal for that location.…

• Kallvind (cold attic)

  A cold attic (kallvind) is an uninsulated attic space above the insulation in the ceiling structure, ventilated with outdoor air. It is…

• Krypgrund / uteluftsventilerad krypgrund (crawl space / outdoor-air-ventilated crawl space)

  A crawl space (krypgrund) is a low space between the ground and the floor structure. The outdoor-air-ventilated version is ventilated with outside…

• Mikrobiell påväxt (microbial growth)

  Microbial growth is the inspector's neutral term for mould, bacteria, or other microorganisms growing on a surface. It means the material has been…

• Otät ångspärr (leaky vapour barrier)

  The vapour barrier (ångspärr) is the plastic sheeting that prevents damp indoor air from penetrating into walls and ceilings. If it leaks, warm,…

• Riskkonstruktion (risk construction)

  A risk construction (riskkonstruktion) is a building method that, based on industry experience, often leads to moisture damage even when nothing is…