Buying house with Structural & Damp Problem

ishi

Doozergirl wrote: »

I'm not talking about cavity wall ties! There are more types of wall tie than cavity wall ties, which, incidently, only tie the two leaves of a cavity together, not into the rest of the structure. Remembering something from buying a house once is not enough experience to tell someone that the entire side of a house needs rebuilding.

The OP has come back now with the advice from their surveyor - the same that I've given.
Quote from the OP:

"Modern method: Long stainless steel tie. Surveyor suggested me to contact company called Helifix for this."

This is possibly the sort of wall tie needed:<url>
But you can see from that website that there are many more types of tie.

The best thing the OP can do is call their surveyor and ask them the question "If it were you, would you buy this house?". Because, despite the surveyor suggesting the appropriate remedial action that doesn't even involve consulting a structural engineer, the internet is telling them that a 20mm bulge means that the house is so bad it is essentially falling down - which is the only reason you would ever have to rebuild a wall.

If the OP is intending to build an extension onto that wall, it's the perfect opportunity to provide 'belt and braces' type support an addition to wall ties. It might be a nice idea to consult a structural engineer at the time to design something in that will essentially be invisible.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Your views are quite similar to the surveyor who has over 30yrs of experience. I heard similar point from him last Friday.

When I received the survey report, my immediate reaction was not to buy this house. Then I spoke to surveyor & his words was "Don't worry, it's a common problem...It just needs wall ties!". He even said "If I visit similar houses of this age, it's highly likely I will find same problem"

Other point which I am considering: what next after walking away from this house?
I am looking for a house near town center. 95% of house within 1mile are old & there is no guarantee that other houses will be free from such problems.

I will definitely consult Structural Engineer before making final decision.

Mardle

If you get a builder to look at the wall get him to look at the damp, too. When we bought our house 18 months ago the surveyor picked up damp in a couple of rooms. Because we were getting a grant for work on the house we had to get 3 quotes which included dealing with the 'damp'. Two builders said it wasn't damp but due to the house being empty for over a year. The 3rd builder brought in a damp specialist who quoted over £3000.

We went with one of the first two builders so no damp treatment was done and 18 months on there is no evidence of damp at all.

ishi

Mardle wrote: »

If you get a builder to look at the wall get him to look at the damp, too. When we bought our house 18 months ago the surveyor picked up damp in a couple of rooms. Because we were getting a grant for work on the house we had to get 3 quotes which included dealing with the 'damp'. Two builders said it wasn't damp but due to the house being empty for over a year. The 3rd builder brought in a damp specialist who quoted over £3000.

We went with one of the first two builders so no damp treatment was done and 18 months on there is no evidence of damp at all.

Yes, the house is empty for some time now.
I visited the house on day of survey(just for few mins in end). Surveyor showed me moisture meter reading from different walls.
On ground floor reading was relatively high(upto 1feet & then normal) while on first floor it was all ok.
He also showed me wallpapers coming out near skirting board & black spots at some place. The wallpapers are relatively new, so I didn't spotted the problem at the time of viewing.

One of the reason he explained me: high ground levels against the walls where concrete hard-standings have been laid directly against the walls(when carport was built)

Cakeguts

ishi wrote: »

Yes, the house is empty for some time now.
I visited the house on day of survey(just for few mins in end). Surveyor showed me moisture meter reading from different walls.
On ground floor reading was relatively high(upto 1feet & then normal) while on first floor it was all ok.
He also showed me wallpapers coming out near skirting board & black spots at some place. The wallpapers are relatively new, so I didn't spotted the problem at the time of viewing.

One of the reason he explained me: high ground levels against the walls where concrete hard-standings have been laid directly against the walls(when carport was built)

Why is the house empty? Has someone died or is it a repossession? Is the carport on the wall with the bulge in it?

ishi

Cakeguts wrote: »

Why is the house empty? Has someone died or is it a repossession? Is the carport on the wall with the bulge in it?

Owner moved out of the UK. Yes, carport on the wall with the bulge.

AdrianC

ishi wrote: »

Yes, carport on the wall with the bulge.

Bingo.

A poorly supported wall with a high-wind-loading weight hung off it. It's a recipe for problems.

ishi

AdrianC wrote: »

Bingo.

A poorly supported wall with a high-wind-loading weight hung off it. It's a recipe for problems.

Google earth doesn't show carport. The google image was taken on 25-05-2007(used google earth app on PC to get date), so carport age< 9yrs.

If I consider your theory: what would be your recommendation for immediate fix: Remove/provide support to carport only OR Do I still need Wall ties?

AdrianC

ishi wrote: »

Google earth doesn't show carport. The google image was taken on 25-05-2007(used google earth app on PC to get date), so carport age< 9yrs.

If I consider your theory: what would be your recommendation for immediate fix: Remove/provide support to carport only OR Do I still need Wall ties?

Sort the cause - the carport - but you will also need to rectify the damage that has already occurred. Brick-and-mortar walls do not deform in any plastic way - once they move, the damage is done, and the bond between mortar and brick is broken.