Structural issue with chimney?

hanb

Hi all,

After a bit of advice/opinion.

Just been for a second viewing of a house and have a concern about the chimney. Hoping someone more knowledgable could give an opinion from this photo? https://postimg.org/image/g8xn8xp3r/

So a chimney was removed at some point and there's cracks on te external wall. Should we presume that it's unstable? Here's a photo of from inside the upstairs room if that helps https://s31.postimg.org/7w1lp4dvv/image.jpg the agent said its just the rendering but I'm not convinced!

Obviously we'd get a full survey done on the house if we proceed but wondered whether this would cause people to abandon it now and not pay for a survey or go along and see what's said.

We're FTB'ers and the house is towards top of our budget so don't fancy an expensive, messy structural repair job if that's what's needed (would it?!)! Aside from this, we do really like the house and it's what we've been looking for. Chances are it'll need a rewire on coming years which is ok but we don't want the chimney falling down!

Thanks for any advice!

lincroft1710

Could very well be the rendering cracking. Needs a proper survey by a surveyor who isn't afraid to go up a ladder.

hanb

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Could very well be the rendering cracking. Needs a proper survey by a surveyor who isn't afraid to go up a ladder.

Thanks! Would definitely get a full survey done! If it was the rendering, am I right in thinking that could be problematic with water getting in and causing significant damp issues?

It's so frustrating, everything else is perfect but we don't want a big problem if we are able to avoid it!

phill99

I would be tempted to speak to building control and ask to see the file on the house. It will show if a building regulation application was made to remove the chimney breast and how it was supported.

If there is no file on it and there is no building control sign off, I would be a little concerned.

Regardless of that, the rendering needs addressing as it will. as you identify, lead to water ingress.
Do not listen to the agents about this as they lie every time they open their mouths.

G_M

I doubt the surveyor will commit himself - you might need a structural engineer. Not for the whole house, just to report on that crack.

Don't forget to check you get vacant !!!!ession - that cat looks like he's settled in, so inspect the place on Completion date to ensure he's gone.....

Mr.Generous

crack runs in straight lines, not usually a problem. It would be cracked inside if it was serious. Try and negotiate a few £ off.

dc197

As above. Looks like rendering because it it were the structure the crack would be zig zag straight lines between bricks.
But yes, a risk of damp.

anselld

The internal picture shows that the chimney breast has been removed.
Wen this is done the remaining brickwork must be supported by the correct structure, either gallows brackets or RSJ.

This might have been done, but From the shape of the remaining chimney breast it doesn't look like it! Unfortunately the only way to know is eithe expose the remaining chimney breast brickwork or get confirmation from Building Control that the correct consent is in place.

The crack itself may not be a problem and might not be related to the chimney breast removal. I would be personally be more worried about the chimney breast itself and if it has been done correctly.

hanb

Thanks all.


The chimney breast was removed before the current owners bought (I snooped at the old listing on zoopla) so you'd like to think any serious issues would have been picked up in their survey - obviously without banking on anything.


Guess we need to decide whether we want to go through with the survey and potentially lose money to find out how bad it is or pull out and wait for something else.

dc197

hanb wrote: »

you'd like to think any serious issues would have been picked up in their survey

Also, you'd think that any serious issues would have come to light already - i.e. if it were going to fall down it probably would have done so already.

LittleMax

hanb wrote: »

Thanks all.


The chimney breast was removed before the current owners bought (I snooped at the old listing on zoopla) so you'd like to think any serious issues would have been picked up in their survey - obviously without banking on anything.

That's assuming they had a survey. My friend is buying a chapel conversion. Converted 10 years ago, vendors bought it off developer. Full survey has highlighted an unsupported chimney. Vendors 'can't remember' if they had a survey before they bought. Could mean they did and negotiated discount but haven't had work done. Or no survey and unaware of issue until now.

There is building regs for the conversion, so even that is no guarantee.