What does 'strapping mean'

Catbells

I have found a house I would really like to move into. Its a Vicotiran cottage and we are in a clay area. It has been underpinned recently and a small section of the house has yet to be 'strapped' at the owners expense and I will be able to take over the existing insurance. Does anyone know what strapping means. Thanks.

seraphin_2

Strapping is when the floor joists are joined to the walls, its done my chanelling out the plaster on the wall and steel l shaped brackets are attached, i only know because i bought a house once that needed it done.

Not a massive job just means the walls cant move away from the floors anymore.

your very brave buying a house thats been underpined though !

Catbells

Thanks for the info on strapping seraphin..

After 6 months searching its the only house I've seen that fits like a glove and I love it. I've sold my house so am ready to move.

The underpinning was done 15 years ago due to two massive Cedars of Lebanon which can't be pulled down. Having had my current house underpinned 18 years ago I know that its safer than most houses as a result and am pretty sure the new one would be too.

Re the massive trees, appeals got as far as the Secretary of State who rejected the appeals to cut them down. I'm not sure whether there would be extra recourse to this rejection should the house move in the future. The underpinned section is a strong as steel now. I would be able to take over the insurance policy on the house should I move in.

Has your strapping worked and is it a permanent procedure or do you need to keep having it done?

Thanks.

ILW

Is the property mortgagable?

puddy

does it limit the companies you can get insurance from?

Catbells

ILW wrote: »

Is the property mortgagable?

Thanks ILW. Since I am downsizing from family home (children flown) I will be a cash buyer so won't need a mortgage. Why do you ask?

puddy wrote:

does it limit the companies you can get insurance from?

Thanks puddy. Am not sure because I would take over the current owners insurance policy which happens to be the same one which underwrites for my current insurance company (Saga).

Cannon_Fodder

"underpinned recently", turns into "underpinned 15 years ago"...

"section yet to be strapped at owners expense".

Why has the owner waited 15 years? How much damage has or will occur until it is strapped? Will you buy before it is strapped?

I suspect ILW is asking if its mortgageable, as even though you are a cash buyer you might want to sell it one day. Limits your selling options if not mortgageable.

Catbells

I don't know why it wasn't ALL underpinned either. Just had the same conversation with the agent and he doesn't know.

There is no visible damage and I would now check to find out whether strapping is sufficient or whether the small area - one wall - would be better underpinned instead.

Re ILW's question on mortgage. My own current property was massively underpinned 18 years ago and my buyers have obtained a mortgage albeit having had 3 surveys done on it!!! Sometimes people get scared by underpinning - quite rightly - but if its done properly it can render the house as strong as a skyscraper.

ILW

I would be very wary unless the place is going at a massive discount.
Essentially strapping is required if the outer walls are bulging, or to put it more bluntly, this place is falling down. If you ever need to resell it may be that another cash buyer could be the only option.

Catbells

ILW wrote: »

I would be very wary unless the place is going at a massive discount.
Essentially strapping is required if the outer walls are bulging, or to put it more bluntly, this place is falling down. If you ever need to resell it may be that another cash buyer could be the only option.

Thanks for that. Its worrying that future buyers may not be able to obtain a mortgage on it.

The house is not falling down in the sense that its in rack and ruin. Its been underpinned and is stable and very attractive. However I do need to find out whether this wall WAS underpinned with the rest of the house 15 years ago. If it was I can only assume that the problems it is experiencing now is a new problem.

Thanks for pointing things out. Its really helpful to have this input.