Viewed Victorian Property - how does this roof look like?

bbbuyer

Do we think this is original roof and if there a signs that may require replacing?

silvercar

It’s really difficult to tell. My son bought a Victorian house with a roof that I thought looked very old and in need of work. The surveyor said it was fine. Always best to get a full structural survey when buying a property that old.

Bookworm105

slate roof, so almost certain to be original but with dubious flashing around chimney and wall

easy way to confirm is to look in the loft at what is beneath it 

bbbuyer

Thanks haven’t made an offer yet (and don’t have a chance to look into the loft, could ask for second viewing).

this is a flip where they added new electrics, heating, kitchen, bathroom but roof was untouched it seems (looking at historical street view)

FreeBear

Bookworm105 said:

slate roof, so almost certain to be original but with dubious flashing around chimney and wall

A cement fillet - No where near as good as proper lead flashing. It will crack and start to leak. That said, it looks to be relatively new, so possibly replaced sometime in the last 20 years or so. A few of the ridge tiles look as if they could do with rebedding. Lead flashing also required above the porch area.

Another concern is the pebbledash render - It will trap moisture within the solid brick walls, leading to damp issues. But if it is just limited to the upper half, it shouldn't be too higher a concern. Keep an eye on it, patch any cracks as they appear.

bbbuyer

Oi FreeBear said:

Bookworm105 said:

slate roof, so almost certain to be original but with dubious flashing around chimney and wall

A cement fillet - No where near as good as proper lead flashing. It will crack andstart to leak. That said, it looks to be relatively new, so possibly replaced sometime in the last 20 years or so. A few of the ridge tiles look as if they could do with rebedding. Lead flashing also required above the porch area.

Another concern is the pebbledash render - It will trap moisture within the solid brick walls, leading to damp issues. But if it is just limited to the upper half, it shouldn't be too higher a concern. Keep an eye on it, patch any cracks as they appear.

Oh yeah the PebbleDash used to look like this (it looks they painted over?


 I do wonder why it’s darker in some spots.

in the back it’s gone in places, wonder if that needs redoing?

Sarahspangles

With old slates you’re looking for nail rot. You can see several patches where slates have been replaced and I wonder if the rest are on point of failure. The slates are normally okay for reuse but won’t be if they shed and break, and there’s a point where it’s cheaper to reroof with another material than with slate.

The problem when houses are flipped is that cosmetic stuff is prioritised so you could end up living for years with a kitchen that isn’t what you would have chosen yet you’re facing bills for more structural stuff.

bbbuyer

Sarahspangles said:

The problem when houses are flipped is that cosmetic stuff is prioritised so you could end up living for years with a kitchen that isn’t what you would have chosen yet you’re facing bills for more structural stuff.

I do agree, is just there not many options on the market 😕 at the end of the day will always depend on price compared to comparable properties.

they paid 330 and now wanting 475 6 months after (which is more or less same price as equivalent properties). Obviously there may be other structural stuff hidden.
Windows and skirtings are the same. They kept floorboards (I.e no other flooring on top which is a plus)

FreeBear

bbbuyer said:

Oi FreeBear said:

Bookworm105 said:

slate roof, so almost certain to be original but with dubious flashing around chimney and wall

A cement fillet - No where near as good as proper lead flashing. It will crack andstart to leak. That said, it looks to be relatively new, so possibly replaced sometime in the last 20 years or so. A few of the ridge tiles look as if they could do with rebedding. Lead flashing also required above the porch area.

Another concern is the pebbledash render - It will trap moisture within the solid brick walls, leading to damp issues. But if it is just limited to the upper half, it shouldn't be too higher a concern. Keep an eye on it, patch any cracks as they appear.

 I do wonder why it’s darker in some spots.

in the back it’s gone in places, wonder if that needs redoing?

The rain has probably been washing the dirt off, and the window sill has been shielding that bit of wall.

As for the back, looks like some of the outer layer has delaminated - Removing the rest of it and then slapping a fresh top coat on would be the easiest fix. Going back to brick opens up a can of worms with Building Regulations (more than 25%, and you'd need to add insulation).

Sarahspangles

bbbuyer said:

Sarahspangles said:

The problem when houses are flipped is that cosmetic stuff is prioritised so you could end up living for years with a kitchen that isn’t what you would have chosen yet you’re facing bills for more structural stuff.

I do agree, is just there not many options on the market 😕 at the end of the day will always depend on price compared to comparable properties.

they paid 330 and now wanting 475 6 months after (which is more or less same price as equivalent properties). Obviously there may be other structural stuff hidden.
Windows and skirtings are the same. They kept floorboards (I.e no other flooring on top which is a plus)

There’s a house on our street like that with a bigger garden which I would like. It was in good condition structurally and I mentally costed up what it would cost to rewire, because I knew there weren’t enough sockets even if there had been a rewire, and then replastered throughout. But decided we’d have to put our stuff in storage and I wouldn’t be able to continue working from home through the upheaval. I don’t think it’s worth what the flippers are asking even if they have lived through six months of DIY.

bbbuyer

Sarahspangles said:

bbbuyer said:

Sarahspangles said:

The problem when houses are flipped is that cosmetic stuff is prioritised so you could end up living for years with a kitchen that isn’t what you would have chosen yet you’re facing bills for more structural stuff.

I do agree, is just there not many options on the market 😕 at the end of the day will always depend on price compared to comparable properties.

they paid 330 and now wanting 475 6 months after (which is more or less same price as equivalent properties). Obviously there may be other structural stuff hidden.
Windows and skirtings are the same. They kept floorboards (I.e no other flooring on top which is a plus)

There’s a house on our street like that with a bigger garden which I would like. It was in good condition structurally and I mentally costed up what it would cost to rewire, because I knew there weren’t enough sockets even if there had been a rewire, and then replastered throughout. But decided we’d have to put our stuff in storage and I wouldn’t be able to continue working from home through the upheaval. I don’t think it’s worth what the flippers are asking even if they have lived through six months of DIY.

Can be tricky if you are a mover. We are FTB so have 2 months overlap with tenancy and also don’t have lot of furniture