Worrying issue on Building Survey

Lavadude

Hi,

We had a building survey done, and it spotted some issues with uneven floor in corner of one of the rooms:

"There is unevenness and out of level to the floor of the bedroom to the front right
corner and evidence of settlement to the floor of the ensuite behind, where there are
clear gaps at the junctions between the tiled floor and the walls to the front, right side
and rear and also between the floor and the base of the pedestal wash basin. We
have been advised that the ensuite was created within the last 10 years and it is clear
that such movement has occurred since. The movement to the floor is significant and
may be progressive. Further investigation is now required to confirm the exact cause
and full extent of the problem.
In the circumstances you should instruct a Structural Engineer to inspect the whole
property and provide you with a written report identifying the cause and the extent of
the movement, together with quotations for any necessary remedial work."

Is this saying Subsidence? Anyone have a rough idea what a Structural Engineer should cost to check this?

Thanks.

Davesnave

Yes, subsidence is a possibility, and no more than that at this stage. All houses settle, so it depends on age etc. We have just had a very dry summer, which will also throw-up problems for some.

If you want to know more, a structural engineer might be able to give quick answers, but sometimes they need to measure movement over time, which probably won't suit your purposes.

I'd speak with the surveyor and get an off the record comment from him/her before instructing anyone.

LadyDee

You could get an idea of the cost of such a report - https://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/structural-engineers-inpsection-reports.aspx?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm-zAie603QIVBrTtCh1BBgB_EAAYAiAAEgKBm_D_BwE

Lavadude

The bungalow was built in the early 60's. We are now really worried about this.

Anyone had any similar experiences?

stuart45

Problems with concrete floors on houses buillt before 1965 without a DPM can be dampness and sulphate attacks.
Another issue was that the infill with hardcore was sometimes really deep, especially near the external walls in the trenches and this can cause settlement in the floors. Nowadays a block and beam would be used when the fill would exceed 600mm.

Lavadude

LadyDee wrote: »

You could get an idea of the cost of such a report - .localsurveyorsdirect.co.u

Rather frustratingly the localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk website gives one company name only. They have just emailed to say they can't do it, as they have no one to cover my area.

G_M

https://www.istructe.org/finding-a-structural-engineer

Lavadude

G_M wrote: »

[istructe.org/finding-a-structural-engineer

Thanks for this.

Cakeguts

Is the building on a hill? I once looked at a bungalow on a hill and you could see that it was still moving because recent paths were moving away from the property. It became known to us as the mobile home.

Lavadude

No... Just hoping its nothing too serious. Have instructed a Structural Engineer to take a look.
I suspect there is a leaking drain or something, as the floor drop is isolated to the small ensuite.

Keeping my fingers crossed, as I will have to pull out if there is a serious subsidence issue uncovered.