We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
What Survey for a House with known sulphate attack?
JSCB
Posts: 52 Forumite
Hi everyone,
I had an offer accepted yesterday on my first house which also has a known sulphate attack to the ground concrete floors, the price was dropped to more than cover the costs of the repair work.
This attack was discovered 9 months ago by the surveyor of a previous buyer who subsequently dropped out due to insufficient funds to rectify the problem. At this time, the owner had a firm in to test the floor and produce a report, which concluded saying:
-Externally: "No evidence of cracking or lateral movement of the brickwork below damp-proof course level due to sulphate action"
-Internally: "The lounge floor is uneven with some evidence of slight 'dooming' towards the middle of the floor, which is co-incident with sulphate attack."
Borehole tests were carried out and black ash was found to be used as hardcore material and was moist.
This is all fine and I have quotes to have this sorted already, however, my concern is whether this could of caused any further structural issues, damage to supporting walls below DPC level, etc. and therefore whether I should be getting a full structural survey done?
I don't want to buy it, rip up the floors and then find out there are bigger issues which will cost thousands, but on the other hand I'm not sure whether any survey would be able to check what I'm concerned about anyway, since the surveyors can't do anything more than inspect visually for cracks etc. which I have already done myself.
This is my first house and I've never had to deal with surveys before, let alone deciding on one for a property with a known issue. If you know much about sulphate attacks/surveys, what would you suggest?
The previous buyers found no other problems with their survey 9 months ago other than the sulphate attack. I don't want to pay £700 for a survey that just tells me what I already know... "it's had a sulphate attack, seek specialist advice."
Will a full-structural survey be able to check the worries I have? Subsidence, damage to the foundations, existence or lack of a damp-proof course, etc?
Thanks guys.
I had an offer accepted yesterday on my first house which also has a known sulphate attack to the ground concrete floors, the price was dropped to more than cover the costs of the repair work.
This attack was discovered 9 months ago by the surveyor of a previous buyer who subsequently dropped out due to insufficient funds to rectify the problem. At this time, the owner had a firm in to test the floor and produce a report, which concluded saying:
-Externally: "No evidence of cracking or lateral movement of the brickwork below damp-proof course level due to sulphate action"
-Internally: "The lounge floor is uneven with some evidence of slight 'dooming' towards the middle of the floor, which is co-incident with sulphate attack."
Borehole tests were carried out and black ash was found to be used as hardcore material and was moist.
This is all fine and I have quotes to have this sorted already, however, my concern is whether this could of caused any further structural issues, damage to supporting walls below DPC level, etc. and therefore whether I should be getting a full structural survey done?
I don't want to buy it, rip up the floors and then find out there are bigger issues which will cost thousands, but on the other hand I'm not sure whether any survey would be able to check what I'm concerned about anyway, since the surveyors can't do anything more than inspect visually for cracks etc. which I have already done myself.
This is my first house and I've never had to deal with surveys before, let alone deciding on one for a property with a known issue. If you know much about sulphate attacks/surveys, what would you suggest?
The previous buyers found no other problems with their survey 9 months ago other than the sulphate attack. I don't want to pay £700 for a survey that just tells me what I already know... "it's had a sulphate attack, seek specialist advice."
Will a full-structural survey be able to check the worries I have? Subsidence, damage to the foundations, existence or lack of a damp-proof course, etc?
Thanks guys.
0
Comments
-
Hi. Did anyone respond to this as I cannot see any responses?0
-
Hi, I was wondering what was the outcome of your problem with the floor. I am in the process of buying a house where I have been asked to get a survey for sulphate attack damage. The I got back is £550 + VAT plus £200 lab fees which costs more than the building survey I got. Thanks Julie0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 350.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.1K Spending & Discounts
- 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 597.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.5K Life & Family
- 256K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards