Survey report

Car1980

A relative is buying a house and I said I'd post up the issues that have come up to get a second opinion. It was built in 1840.

• Lateral movement in the past related to the presence of tie bars running the full width of both front and rear elevations, passing through not only the rear roof void to the kitchen, but also the extension to the rear of next door.

• Loss of key and areas of damage and failure in the render of principle walls. Repair is required

• Principle fascia boards are in timber and considered to be suspect

• Fire stop ie. party walls between neighbouring properties are not fully built. Suggest minor works undertaken

• Ridge tiles acceptable, but pointing is failing. Tiles need to be lifted, cleaned and properly re-bedded. A number of damaged slates with tags suggest previous repairs have been required. Small areas of light penetration, but no leaks seen.

• No damp !!!!!! course but only localised areas of dampness within the living room, dining room and kitchen. Scope for creating gravel-filled back channels.

SG27

Looks good to me for an 1840s house! Just some maintenance to deal with as and when.

G_M

Car1980 wrote: »

A relative is buying a house and I said I'd post up the issues that have come up to get a second opinion. It was built in 1840.

• Lateral movement in the past related to the presence of tie bars running the full width of both front and rear elevations, passing through not only the rear roof void to the kitchen, but also the extension to the rear of next door.
Look like this has been sorted then. Not unusula in an old propertyy.
May lead to higher insurance premiums though - get some quotes to find out!

• Loss of key and areas of damage and failure in the render of principle walls. Repair is required
Render is a pain. This will need sorting so get a quote. It' not a problem but it is a cost to budget for.

• Principle fascia boards are in timber and considered to be suspect
Fascias are basicaly cosmetic (OK - they serve a function but it's not a biggie).
Wooden ones always need re-painting every few years and if ignored will rot. Then they need wood filler before re-painting, or replacing is the rot is serious. Either new wood ones or upvc (in a 19th C house......!!?)

• Fire stop ie. party walls between neighbouring properties are not fully built. Suggest minor works undertaken
Very common. Up to you. You want 21st C standards? Buy a 21st C house!

• Ridge tiles acceptable, but pointing is failing. Tiles need to be lifted, cleaned and properly re-bedded. A number of damaged slates with tags suggest previous repairs have been required. Small areas of light penetration, but no leaks seen.
Define 'failing'? Ask the surveyor or get a builder to uote. Ponting may be fine for years to come, or may need re-pointing urgently - though in that case I'd expect the report to have said so.

• No damp !!!!!! course but only localised areas of dampness within the living room, dining room and kitchen. Scope for creating gravel-filled back channels.

I bet there IS a dpc. Slate. Invisible.

But the damp is clearly easy to resolve as described. Take you a weekend with a shovel.