Advice needed re homebuyer report

sam4768

Hi Everyone,

We recently put a offer on a house 3 bedroom semi build in 60s and homebuyers report revealed issues:

1. The home is in area that has clay sub-soils that could effect the stability of foundations. They stated that currently no issues with structure

2. Asbestos material in chimney cowel, soffits, watertank, soil and vent pipe.

We knew the house needs some updating however these issues sound serious to me. We dont have building experience so i dont know whether to walk away or continue with the purchase.

Thanks in advance for all your replies:))

Sam

Hump

Asbestos was used for soil pipes, gutters, fascias, soffits, down pipes widely in the 1960s. Usually these items will have already been updated in the past 50 years. If they haven't then they will need careful removal before replacement with modern plastic / aluminium alternatives were they to fail or start to breakdown.

If you search cement bonded asbestos then you might gain some reassurance, for example
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/recycling/home/hazardous/Asbestos.htm

MX5huggy

Neither of these are any worry at all.

In 50 years the clay sub soils have not caused a problem.

The asbestos is not a issue until something needs replacing. Then you just have to be carefully. Don't go sanding drilling or scraping these surfaces.

G_M

sam4768 wrote: »

...
1. The home is in area that has clay sub-soils that could effect the stability of foundations. They stated that currently no issues with structure sounds serious? How? If that sounds serious, god help you when you see a report saying "The sub-soil is currently affecting the stability....."

2. Asbestos material in chimney cowel, soffits, watertank, soil and vent pipe. So long as you don't drill, cut or otherwise break up the cowel (why would you...?) there is no issue.

We knew the house needs some updating however these issues sound serious to me. We dont have building experience so i dont know whether to walk away or continue with the purchase.

Thanks in advance for all your replies:))

Sam

No need to walk away. Or update. Or do anything really except buy and live in the property.

cattie

The vast majority of London suburbs is built on clay soils & is still standing, so certainly wouldn't let that bother you.

As others mention, the asbestos only becomes a problem if you want to remove or replace it, then you need to call in specialists to do this. If removal is something you want to do sooner rather than later, then try to get a rough estimate & negotiate on price, using this as a bargaining tool to try to get the price lowered.

Clackas

These asbestos based materials (chimney cowel, soffits, watertank, soil and vent pipe) would all appear to be external, other than the watertank. Generally speaking external products are less risk as the chance of airborne fibres being inhaled (which is where the health risks originate) are low. So if they are in good condition and not degrading you should be ok.

The watertank, I'm presuming, is probably up in a loft. if it's disused and in good nick the best advice is just leave well alone.

I would advise a trip to the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) website, find a couple of local (licensed) removal companies and get a couple of quotes. You can always use this info as a bit of a bargaining tool and any decent, experienced, asbestos removal company will be able to advise whether there is any immediate risk.

andy.m_2

if a house I was selling came back with only that I would be happy as Larry!
If you asked for money off I would also promptly tell you to "do one" on that basis that the next buyer will get a great homebuyers report!

(nothing to worry about, get it bought)