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'Moderate Movement' found above outside doors and windows on HomeBuyers Report

mutantcamel1979
Posts: 6 Forumite

I'm looking to buy a bungalow built in the 1960's built in an area that has clay sub soils.
What I'm concerned about is that there are gaps above the outside doors and windows on both the front and back of the property. The gaps are roughly around 20mm which the report calls 'moderate movement to front and rear openings'
It suggests fitting lintels for additional support and that I need a structural engineer.
I don't know what to do now, I'm not sure if I should get both a grounds expert/structural engineer to check for movement? The windows are fairly new fitted in 2018, the doors are considerably older. There is no way of knowing if it's recent movement or not really.
It also has damp issues and the dpc has been breached, but I'm getting a quote for that tomorrow hopefully.
Any advice would be helpful - Thanks
What I'm concerned about is that there are gaps above the outside doors and windows on both the front and back of the property. The gaps are roughly around 20mm which the report calls 'moderate movement to front and rear openings'
It suggests fitting lintels for additional support and that I need a structural engineer.
I don't know what to do now, I'm not sure if I should get both a grounds expert/structural engineer to check for movement? The windows are fairly new fitted in 2018, the doors are considerably older. There is no way of knowing if it's recent movement or not really.
It also has damp issues and the dpc has been breached, but I'm getting a quote for that tomorrow hopefully.
Any advice would be helpful - Thanks
0
Comments
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Gaps above the windows? That sounds more like simply badly fitted windows than them not providing sufficient support...
As for the DPC, is it simply the usual case of ground levels are too high, so soil is touching the building above the DPC? Bit of DIY with a spade...1 -
There are also gaps above the front door which was not replaced at the same time as the windows.
The report also notes historic movement noted on the internal wall under the front window where there is signs of damp (low level blown plaster). The floors are also showing signs of undulation in several rooms.
I'm more concerned about the ground condition and any future movement problems, rather than the damp.0 -
Photo of these "gaps"?0
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