Solid wall property

[Deleted User]

In the middle of buying a Victorian detached, which has entirely solid walls (no cavities). Surveyor has given me the usual warnings about damp and low EPC.

None of it is putting me off but I wonder if I'm being naive? Should I run for the hills? Seems like no property is going to be perfect!

silvercar

We have a solid wall property. It is fine to heat now. When we moved in there was no double glazing and little loft insulation, so factor in other measures and their cost.

lincroft1710

Cavity wall construction only really became the norm 80 years ago, although there were some built on the 1930s. Lived in a solid wall construction property in the 1950s (as did tens of millions of others) and experienced no damp 

BJV

I bought a big old Victorian house in 2016.

We thought we would buy it, renovate and then when the kids get older move.

We thought it was a bargain and instead, it is a money pit. 

But I love it. My OH loves it and even the kids love it. In fact, I can honestly say that this one is my forever home. You can do so much with them. They are just solid and have so much character.

There can be downfalls as the Victorians tended to have lots smaller rooms as they were easier to heat but you can open them up. We did and the difference well it is night and day.

Yes you can have an eco glass box but you could also have an amazing Victorian home. 

We are still renovating and I would not want to think about how much it has cost so far but I would not want to be anywhere else. Go for it!

I have a friend who bought a similarly priced new house about two years after me and he has had nothing but problems, and ooh the rooms and garden are so small. 

[Deleted User]

That's what I think- I've lived in mostly new builds/newish builds and the build quality has been so poor, I think the fact that a house from 100+ years ago is still standing is more than a lot of them would do, cold or not!

BJV

Any house can get damp; any house can be cold.

Victorian - Edwardian houses have their charms.  Ours is detached, built in 1890 ish and we don't have any damp. Our Epc is not bad either, new heating system, low energy everything and masses of insulation.  

Also, just because you live in a Victorian house does not mean you have to live like a Victorian. They are amazing when you mix new with old. I would do it all again in a hearbeat.

Green_hopeful

There are lots of websites with proper advice for old solid wall houses. This one is well known. https://www.heritage-house.org/ It’s a good idea to learn about looking after them or it’s easy to make things worse and cost lots of money. 

RAS

Depends on aspect. I'm replacing very large old sash windows on the north side so will internally insulate and accommodate the the extra window depth. My neighbours are currently insulating the timber floor on the same side, DIY.

Draught proof. Thick curtains closed at dusk are also really useful

stuart45

A lot of Victorian properties have solid walls, especially away from the coast.
Remember to use line mortar when repointing any brickwork. Lime render if it's rendered.

Jaybee_16

Lived in a London flat as part of a street full of terraced properties. Built 1920, solid double brick wall and no foundations. 

Postik

My parents have a solid wall property with no cavity.  Before the advent of double glazing they had terrible condensation and some mould.  But after they had double glazing fitted approx 30 years ago it hasn't been too bad. They still run a dehumidifier on the landing and it's never going to be as economical as a house with a cavity wall, but they like the house.