Building Survey - Should I be worried?

Crafted

Hi!

So we are buying a detached 4 bed house around 1970/1980 block and brick construction. I opted for a full building survey and the advice has come back to not purchase at this stage due to a bunch of issues however I am wondering whether this stuff might just be a bit of him being on the safe side. 

I am really hoping to get your opinions/experience with any of these points which the surveyor has listed as urgent issues. Some do feel like they could be relatively cheap to fix and we are under no illusion this property was not going to be brand new, I guess the Main walls is the big one which concerns me but why so many urgent issues?

CHIMNEY STACK
A brick built stack is noted to the right hand side and this is fairly tall so a risk in high winds and should be monitored. There are frost damaged brick faces and pitted bricks and significant repairs are needed. It is strongly recommended a reputable builder inspects the stack at close hand for the stability of the upper brickwork and the flashings to ensure fully water tight.

 ROOF COVERINGS
Double pitched and covered in concrete tiles. The stability of the ridge and hipped tiles should be checked at close hand as some of the concrete bedding has come away. There is a potential loose ridge tile to the front left hand side and all tiles should be checked at close hand.

RAINWATER PIPES AND GUTTERS
Quarter square black plastic guttering. A downpipe is needed to the front and rear canopies and a cap end to the front canopy left hand side. The soil pipe should protrude externally to the rear of the property. There is a dated metal soil pipe to the rear elevation and this should be monitored and renewed in the short term.

MAIN WALLS
 Cavity brick construction. Some structural concerns have been noted externally. The top of the right side gable wall has been re-pointed and also the left side gable wall. Some strip lines are noted where there are thicker mortar joints to the left side gable middle section and there is a risk of cavity wall tie failure. This can be a significant structural concern and a report is recommended from a Structural Engineer as noted. Patch point the flashing course to the front canopy to the right hand side. A step crack is developing above the conservatory to the right hand side and there is some general opening of joints to one brick course. Some patch pointing has been carried out to the left side gable lower middle section. There is a previous flue hole to the left side gable wall and this should be properly filled. There iscurrently a loose brick. The overflow pipes above should also be properly sealed to the upper gable section and rear elevation lower middle section. A step crack is also developing to the middle section of the rear canopy and minor joints are opening up to the left side of the conservatory. Due to the nature of the cracking and some internal cracking to ceilings as noted the report may require structural monitoring. There is a risk of ongoing and progressive structural movement.

WINDOWS
Windows are UPVC double glazed with an inherent insulation value. You should be aware that double glazed units have a limited life due to the progressive deterioration of the edge seals which will eventually fail and allow condensation to form between the two panes of glass. A failed unit is noted to the conservatory right hand side and also the kitchen door. Monitor all windows as there is a risk of future failed units

CEILINGS
Some general cracking is noted internally to ceilings and this is mainly to the rear bedroom right hand side where there is a crack to the middle section and towards the rear and also the front left side bedroom where there is cracking to the ceiling all the way across and this also applies to the front bedroom. There is a possible link to the external cracking. 

WOODWORK
The staircase has open treads and decorative metal sections only and is not built to current standards. This should be improved. 

BATHROOM FITTINGS
A better ventilation unit to current standards is required in the bathroom. There is some black spot mould growth to inner windows and the bath seal and all areas should be washed down using a fungicidal solution. Improve ventilation generally.

GROUNDS
Remove all vegetation around the property especially to the right side gable wall as there could be fast growers and this could cause a problem with drains and foundations in the future. Also monitor the small tree to the rear. Due to this and the age of the property a Drain Survey is strongly recommended. They should check the full system including gullies and joints. A full CCTV survey is recommended. You should also take advice from an arboriculturist with regards to the extent of roots and future maintenance / lopping and height / root control.

Chandler85

Did the surveyor advise not buying it?

Generally on that whole report the big issue are both with main walls "A step crack is developing above the conservatory to the right hand side and there is some general opening of joints to one brick course" and "There is a risk of ongoing and progressive structural movement."

You don't want to be buying a house that is still moving.  Probably worth the structural report if you still want the house.

Everything else is general maintenance, windows, guttering, keeping your roof in good order etc.

weeg

It sounds like an abundance of caution. Get an SE to take a look. Often things that look worrying are easily explained (for example cracking near a conservatory may be a result of said conservatory being installed if a new or enlarged wall opening was put in)