HomeBuyer Survey Recommends Sub-floor Timber Survey

Ben1989

Thanks skiddaw1.

Just searching for independent timber checkers

Doozergirl

Ben1989 wrote: »

Thanks skiddaw1.

Just searching for independent timber checkers

Hmm. Not people that sell any kind of chemical damp proofing!

It's more than lifting carpets, the boards need to come up and someone needs a good shimmy under there.

I'd consider renegotiating on the assumption that some joists need replacing. I very much doubt you have dry rot there. The house looks reasonably well kept.

When you get the house, strip the carpets at some point and do some bouncing around the edges where the joists are. See if there is specific bounce.

If any have gone then you really just need to replace them.

You definitely need some airflow, maybe you could get some additional airbricks on the side of the kitchen, connect it to some drainage pipe so the air gets to the dining room side of the house.

Mutton_Geoff

Ben1989 wrote: »

i need to be sure that the floor joists are okay as that can be pricey from what I've read!

I've renovated an old Victorian cottage where the joists were laid on the earth and had quite a lot of rot. The easiest, and nicest solution was to dig the whole lot up, have a lovely bonfire, lay any pipework/CH needed then concrete/insulate/screed the floor. I prefer solid floors anyhow and it was a lot cheaper than excavating for brick piers and relaying a timber floor.

Ben1989

Doozergirl wrote: »

Hmm. Not people that sell any kind of chemical damp proofing!

It's more than lifting carpets, the boards need to come up and someone needs a good shimmy under there.

I'd consider renegotiating on the assumption that some joists need replacing. I very much doubt you have dry rot there. The house looks reasonably well kept.

When you get the house, strip the carpets at some point and do some bouncing around the edges where the joists are. See if there is specific bounce.

If any have gone then you really just need to replace them.

You definitely need some airflow, maybe you could get some additional airbricks on the side of the kitchen, connect it to some drainage pipe so the air gets to the dining room side of the house.

I’m having trouble finding someone who isn’t a damp proofer. The two seem to go hand in hand, unfortunately.

Ben1989

Mutton_Geoff wrote: »

I've renovated an old Victorian cottage where the joists were laid on the earth and had quite a lot of rot. The easiest, and nicest solution was to dig the whole lot up, have a lovely bonfire, lay any pipework/CH needed then concrete/insulate/screed the floor. I prefer solid floors anyhow and it was a lot cheaper than excavating for brick piers and relaying a timber floor.

How much did that cost you Mutton, if you don’t mind me asking

FreeBear

Mutton_Geoff wrote: »

I've renovated an old Victorian cottage where the joists were laid on the earth and had quite a lot of rot. The easiest, and nicest solution was to dig the whole lot up, have a lovely bonfire, lay any pipework/CH needed then concrete/insulate/screed the floor.

Whilst slapping in a ton of concrete is quick & easy, it stores up problems for the future. Foamed glass & limecrete would have been a better solution, all be it, somewhat more expensive in the short term.

scholesfan88

I went through this recently and pulled out of the sale. The house was vacant and the seller point blank refused for the floor coverings to come up for the inspection.

Non invasive surveys arent worth much, your limited to the end of the joists most of the time.

Ensure your surveyor offers no remedial work. The majority of the damp industry is a con.

Doozergirl

FreeBear wrote: »

Whilst slapping in a ton of concrete is quick & easy, it stores up problems for the future. Foamed glass & limecrete would have been a better solution, all be it, somewhat more expensive in the short term.

Agree. Concreting the floors is how you end up with damp working its way out on the internal masonry walls.

We keep saying it. Old houses need to breathe and they are not compatible with cement products.

Doozergirl

Ben1989 wrote: »

I’m having trouble finding someone who isn’t a damp proofer. The two seem to go hand in hand, unfortunately.

I think you can check this yourself. You seem capable. Then you only need a builder if there are any issues.

Ben1989

Doozergirl wrote: »

I think you can check this yourself. You seem capable. Then you only need a builder if there are any issues.

I'm not sure I am. It will only be a complete non-experienced visual inspection.