Do houses ever fall down?

Out,_Vile_Jelly

When I bought my 1930s terraced ex-Council house, my dad took a look in the loft and reported that the timber was in better nick than that in his (bigger and posher) detached late 70s house.

vicki2221

Our new house is over 500 years old. Surveyor said it's more structurally sound than many new builds.

EachPenny

Doozergirl wrote: »

I think you missed my point. A new roof isn't the most expensive renovation item. I think roofs are pretty good value for money, considering how important they are.

There's a bit of mystique when it comes to the roof as very few householders ever get to see one close up. There's a vague awareness that they need to be 'fixed' to stop terrible things happening, which coupled with the mystique creates fertile ground for the roofing cowboys to charge extortionate amounts to replace a 'missing tile' or to powerwash the roof and apply some form of snakeoil.

Because people don't understand them, cannot easily see them, and there is a fear-factor ("It's high up") it is easy for people to think they need an 'expert' to sort it out for them - and then get conned into spending vast amounts on roof repairs.

Similar considerations apply to drainage, except there the fear-factor is in the 'yuck!'

EachPenny

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

When I bought my 1930s terraced ex-Council house, my dad took a look in the loft and reported that the timber was in better nick than that in his (bigger and posher) detached late 70s house.

My friend's 1930's-semi neighbours did a loft conversion. I spoke to the builders and managed to bag all the 4x2 rafters that were being stripped off. Once the accumulated soot was removed, the wood beneath is totally sound and also incredibly dense, perhaps about twice that of the modern (expensive) softwood which was going on in its place. A couple of passes with a belt sander to remove the greyness and it comes up as clean as new wood... except for the nail holes

Doozergirl

EachPenny wrote: »

There's a bit of mystique when it comes to the roof as very few householders ever get to see one close up. There's a vague awareness that they need to be 'fixed' to stop terrible things happening, which coupled with the mystique creates fertile ground for the roofing cowboys to charge extortionate amounts to replace a 'missing tile' or to powerwash the roof and apply some form of snakeoil.

Because people don't understand them, cannot easily see them, and there is a fear-factor ("It's high up") it is easy for people to think they need an 'expert' to sort it out for them - and then get conned into spending vast amounts on roof repairs.

Similar considerations apply to drainage, except there the fear-factor is in the 'yuck!'

Indeed, hence the other thread on this board where someone is now talking about drainage being a LOT more complicated than the OP's own architect says.

telemarks

You saw a LOT of timber framed, brick/stone skinned "lightweight" houses been built these days.

A builder friend told me the designed lifetime for the timber frame is 25 years :eek::eek::eek:
I have no idea if this is true or not.

My house is 300+ years old, and has walls 18 inches thick of solid stone, one wall is 6 foot thick! I'm happy with my house, I know its totally solid, and well tried and tested :cool::cool:

Doozergirl

telemarks wrote: »

You saw a LOT of timber framed, brick/stone skinned "lightweight" houses been built these days.

A builder friend told me the designed lifetime for the timber frame is 25 years :eek::eek::eek:
I have no idea if this is true or not.

My house is 300+ years old, and has walls 18 inches thick of solid stone, one wall is 6 foot thick! I'm happy with my house, I know its totally solid, and well tried and tested :cool::cool:

Your builder friend needs to get with the 21st century. It isn't true. The future is not built in masonry cavity walls.

TamsinC

I have heard a lot more horror stories about modern houses and the rubbish build quality than old houses. My sister has a 2010s ish new build - it's rubbish quality and will need serious work to keep it going as long at the 270 year old proeprty we are in the process of buying. I too will have 2ft thick stone walls that aren't going anywhere. They have stayed this long without any movement they aren't going anywhere soon. As long as I make sure the roof stays sound, and the drainage is kept clear this house will standanother 270 years.