Possible Conservatory Subsidence

wyx087

This is worrying. :eek:

In the conservatory behind my converted garage, the roof of conservatory looks to have a bigger and bigger gap at the place joining the back of garage. The UPVC conservatory as a whole will flex and won’t crack likes brickwork, so seeing a gap opening up would surely mean the outside edge is sinking?

We purchased the property April last year, had a home buyer’s survey done. We have also got building and content insurance since April last year.



What is the best way to approach this? Do I first contact a builder or third party surveyor to get an idea what’s happening? Or go directly to my previous surveyor? Or speak to my building insurer and hope they don’t pass the buck until my renewal.

Stevie_Palimo

It could be a few things here either the plate fixed to the wall of the garage was not secured correctly or the footings used to stand the actual conservatory on are just to insufficient and finally ground movement but any of these need sorting sooner rather than later as it will only get worse.


Is the garage now used as a room then and if so I would look at speaking with my insurer and asking what they suggest.

Gloomendoom

wyx087 wrote: »

What is the best way to approach this? Do I first contact a builder or third party surveyor to get an idea what’s happening? Or go directly to my previous surveyor? Or speak to my building insurer and hope they don’t pass the buck until my renewal.

Speaking from experience, think very carefully before you involve your insurance company. The last thing you want is your house tagged with the S word.

wyx087

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Is the garage now used as a room then and if so I would look at speaking with my insurer and asking what they suggest.

The garage is used as a study. It is linked to the house but external to the structure of the house as far as I can tell. A door connects it to the house but the wall inbetween is thick and proper brickwork (unlike in the middle of the house where it's mostly plasterboard)

As far as I can tell, all work was done by the owner before the previous owner around the year 1998, when the house was a new build.


@Gloomendoom: Exactly my worry. Hence this question. But so far the 2 advices seems to be at odds.

wyx087

Any other opinions on how who to approach for honest advice?

Furts

My suggestion is to patch over any gap and not worry your insurance company.

Indeed, your insurance company may not consider this a valid claim if you were to approach them. Of course, this would depend on the policy wording but a prudent insurance company would exclude claims for conservatories.

I say this because most conservatories are deemed temporary structures, that are meant for occasional use, and are not subject to much of the Building Regulations. Consequently your conservatory may not have any foundations. It may also not be joined to the garage. Indeed, it may be resting on the old topsoil or turf that was originally there and be completely free standing.

To give a logical analysis, when all this is considered from an insurance company viewpoint a conservatory becomes a risk. Hence it is excluded from a policy, or it becomes a premium hike after the insurance company has been notified that a conservatory is present.