Survey findings _ Real or a scare

TornSoldier

As FTB I had went overboard and got a building survey done for the property. The report has following "defect" observations. If anyone could help me debunk them, it will be very helpful. Should I take them back to seller for negotiations

1. Roof coverings -
No significant sagging or deflection could be seen from the limited inspection from ground
level and there are no indications to suggest any weakness in the timbers making up the
roof frame.However, on closer inspection defects may become apparent, for example to ridge tiles or roof tiles.The lead flashings to the door canopy require some redressing and the bed joint into whichthey are set should be repointed. The mortar work below some verge tiles was noted to be cracked and defective requiring raking out and renewal, for example the rear left-hand elevation. Raking out and repointing may prove a short-term solution and it is likely to fail again. Ideally, the verge tiles should be lifted, the defective mortar renewed and the tiles re-bedded. This should be carried out by a competent roofing contractor.

2. Rainwater pipe & gutters
We suspect the gutters are significantly blocked and are leaking as indicated by the
significant staining both to the guttering and the front elevation walls. These gutters should
be cleared out at the earliest opportunity.

3. Windows
The glazing to the en-suite of bedroom two and the downstairs WC was smashed and these
units will require replacement.

4. Ceiling
Where extract fans have been removed in the bathroom and bedroom one en-suite, the
resultant holes have been fixed with a metal grill. This is inappropriate as it could allow for
steam from these rooms to form condensation within the roof space which could result in an
outbreak of fungal decay.

5. Water heating
During our inspection the hot water cylinder appeared to be constantly running indicating a
fault on the system.

6. Drainage
The waste leading from the bathroom into the soil and vent stack is not connected correctly,
meaning that waste from the bathroom is running down the outside of the stack and the
outside of the wall, significantly staining both. The connection from the bathroom to the soil
and vent stack should be replaced and ensure correct discharge of the waste.

7. Main Wall
The waste leading from the bathroom into the soil and vent stack is not connected correctly,
meaning that waste from the bathroom is running down the outside of the stack and the
outside of the wall, significantly staining both. The connection from the bathroom to the soil
and vent stack should be replaced and ensure correct discharge of the waste.

The mortgage valuation has come to selling price.

Appreciate your time and wisdom if you can help out.

[Deleted User]

How much of this did you know about prior to making an offer?

I would be worried about a few bits, nothing is a dealbreaker but certainly something needing discussion.

May be worth involving a plumber as a few bits are about he drainage and heating system. Maybe try arrange a viewing with a plumber in tow and a copy of the report to price up the work

Bathroom waste running down the the outside of the wall sounds really grim! definitely something needing fixed

None of this is a dealbreaker assuming the vendor is happy to negotiate or fix the bits themselves.
When it comes to negotiating i would personally copy and past the relevant bits to a document to explain that you are not asking for money off just cause you are cheap, taking a plumber around will help you price up 90% of this

Albala

You could ask a roofer to give you a quote too.

AdrianC

TornSoldier wrote: »

1. Roof coverings -
...
The lead flashings to the door canopy require some redressing and the bed joint into whichthey are set should be repointed. The mortar work below some verge tiles was noted to be cracked and defective requiring raking out and renewal, for example the rear left-hand elevation. Raking out and repointing may prove a short-term solution and it is likely to fail again. Ideally, the verge tiles should be lifted, the defective mortar renewed and the tiles re-bedded. This should be carried out by a competent roofing contractor.

Doubt that'd even be a full day's job.

2. Rainwater pipe & gutters
We suspect the gutters are significantly blocked and are leaking as indicated by the
significant staining both to the guttering and the front elevation walls. These gutters should
be cleared out at the earliest opportunity.

Get yourself up a ladder with some rubber gloves! Basic routine maintenance every year or two.

3. Windows
The glazing to the en-suite of bedroom two and the downstairs WC was smashed and these units will require replacement.

Please at least tell me this wasn't news to you...?

4. Ceiling
Where extract fans have been removed in the bathroom and bedroom one en-suite, the
resultant holes have been fixed with a metal grill. This is inappropriate as it could allow for
steam from these rooms to form condensation within the roof space which could result in an outbreak of fungal decay.

Why on earth did they remove the extractors in the first place? Refit 'em!

5. Water heating
During our inspection the hot water cylinder appeared to be constantly running indicating a
fault on the system.

Or the timer might simply be "ON"

6. Drainage
The waste leading from the bathroom into the soil and vent stack is not connected correctly, meaning that waste from the bathroom is running down the outside of the stack and the outside of the wall, significantly staining both. The connection from the bathroom to the soil and vent stack should be replaced and ensure correct discharge of the waste.

Highish priority, probably a smallish job.

7. Main Wall

Same as 6, just comes under both headings.

Unless there's been a copy/paste fail?

Should I take them back to seller for negotiations
...
The mortgage valuation has come to selling price.

There's your answer. It's worth that money in the condition they inspected it.

Doozergirl

That's a great survey. Tells you the problem, pays attention to detail and provides the solution. Nothing hugely expensive, all little things that people let slip. A couple of thousand there to sort it all properly. Nothing, in the grand scheme.

FreeBear

Deleted_User wrote: »

Bathroom waste running down the the outside of the wall sounds really grim! definitely something needing fixed

Could be an indication that the underground sewer pipe has a blockage. Certainly worth lifting manhole covers to check. If there is a blockage, it might be nothing more than a build up of wet wipes (these should always go in the bin), or a collapsed drain.