Well, to be fair derek, the OP asked a question, and while it didn't have much chance of getting a competent, accurate answer I made an attempt, for form's sake.
Asked over a coffee with a friend who might also be a layperson it would have been quite a reasonable question and no competence or special skill would be expected from the respondent.
Asked on AAM, with our floating population of professionals, it didn't give enough information to allow us provide our usual level of competent response and I pointed this out to the OP.
As professionals, we have to exercise skill and care when dealing with members of the public and the initial response wasn't just a message to the OP it was a comment intended for all readers of AAM.
We have a wonderful, free resource provided by the Site Owner Brendan Burgess, moderated by unpaid competent people and populated by skilled and professional persons of all kinds.
Its a place to come to get competent answers based on and within the limits of the information given - up to a point.
My disclaimer below identifies that point as far as I am concerned and many seem to agree with it.
The OP's question was so vague as to preclude any level of competence in the response and although I have since made an attempt to answer it, its still not a question you can really answer here.
As a comparison, it would be like someone in the law forum asking whether he'd win the case he's involved in - its impossible to answer things like that and possibly dangerous to try.
Put it another way, its like asking Michael Schumacher to take you down to the shops to do your shopping.
He'd probably oblige, and in this weather the person getting the lift might be grateful, but there are other things I'd ask Michael Schumacher for if he was willing to give me a lift somewhere.
Like a trip round the Nurburgring as a passenger!
As the site owner has pointed out, this forum is not a chat room, it is a resource.
There are dedicated sub-boards on AAM for chatting and ranting, this is not one of them.
[I have to be reminded of that from time to time myself]
See all the relevant discussion this question has prompted?
ONQ.
[broken link removed]
All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.