full structural survey - will it inform about the boiler/heating?

free4440273

i intend to get a full structural survey on a property i am considering buying. i am a bit worried about the boiler in the house. it is an absolutely beast of a boiler - it's like something i have never seen before, and it is housed in its own outside boiler room. it provides heating through the floor vents in the rooms (but the two bathrooms do have bog-standard radiators). what i want to know is, will a full structural survey (i.e. the most comprehensive survey one can have) determine the condition of the boiler/heating. if it won't, is there anything that will? on a related point, the blurb on property particulars often says something like: 'appliances etc have not been checked and the agent takes no responsibilty for their working order etc' . well, how does one get these things checked out. presumably, not even a full structural survey will tell me these things? is there anything that will? if there is, i am willing to pay 'extra' for it. hope this makes sense. thanks all - i would appreciate people's comments

Vindiesel

Hi free4440273

I have just had a structural survey back for a house that I am buying. The report gives a visible description of the condition of the boiler- but thats it. My report reccomends that I obtain a Corgi registered inspection report of the boiler and central heating system, and all other gas appliances (it has 2 gas fires).
https://www.corgi-gas.com has a list of all approved engineers and you can search on your (new) postcode to find ones in your area.

In reference to your second point, the report also advises that I obtain a NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) report on the switchboard and other electrical points. I am about to start getting quotes now. https://www.niceic.org.uk

Hope that helps..Good luck!

V

free4440273

@vindiesel. thanks so much for your help. is one allowed to get a report on the boiler and electrics before completion of purchase of property. do you know the approx. cost? thanks again. any other views on this matter would be really appreciated.

free4440273

thanks for your help. house IS empty - owner has been living abroad for six months. it's a 1970's built house - but it has a really 'strange' boiler and heating is supplied via the vents on the floor. never seen anything like it. anybody else have any suggestions pleeease!

cattie

Yes it is possible to get a report done on a boiler & electrics before purchasing a house. Often the estate agent can handle this for you as they often have a working relationship with such valuable tradesmen.

Have you asked the vendor if they have the boiler serviced regularly & have the records to support this, as if they do this will indicate that the boiler is likely to be in good working order.

I'm not familiar with the type of central heating involved here, but it may well pay you to investigate the possibility of replacing the heating system with a more conventional type.

dfarry

Hi there,

It sounds like hot air vented heating and was very common in the 70's

I suppose the best way to think about it is whereas a modern day boiler (combination, condensing etc...) will heat water, this ones air abit like the way your car might.

Personally I don't like it, the vents get really dusty and it makes me wonder if all that recirculating dust air is very healthy too - that said alot of houses have it and have been fine.

Most people I know with air vent heating have replaced it with the conventional radiator types now, the venting can also take up a fair bit of space in the rooms.

Rather than spend a fortune on inspecting and maintaining it, your money might be better spent on a new central heating system.

On the electrics I am surprised the survey hasn't come back with more detail. If the wiring is the original 1970's stuff then a rewire might be a good idea. I am no electrician but the insulation on wiring does age/crack etc. another thing to look for is whether there is an earth wire in the light circuit. I think around the 70's was when it changed from 2 core to 3 core electrical cable of the solid copper type rather than twisted strands of wire.

Unfortunately it sounds like you survey has left quite a few unanswered questions

free4440273

thanks dfarry - yes, you are absolutely right: it is indeed hot air vented heating as per the particulars. sorry, i gave the wrong impression - the survey has not been done yet. i intend to get the most comprehensive, a full structural. i am slightly worried now as it means i will have to fork out for new heating. can i pick your brains if you don't mind: all the rooms (i big lounge, kitchen, utility room and three bedrooms) and bathrooms (two) are downstairs. the fourth bedroom is 'upstairs' as an added extension. (it's basically a specified 1970s build house with exposed bricks - you probably get the idea). what kind of heating system should i get, especially given that nearly all the rooms are downstairs - a combi or condensing? does the fitting of new radiators mean lots of floorboards being ripped up? yikes! thanks

silvercar

We looked at a house with warm air vent heating. you are going to need to replace it sooner or later. THat does mean floor boards up etc to lay pipe work. Another problem is that you will need to do something with the vents; open them out or seal them off. You can't just close them without leaving some kind of airbrick.