Pebbledash on End Terrace

Midlander01

Hi All,
Quick question re: pebbledash on this end terrace I'm viewing at weekend.
As you can see it only remains on the bottom 3 feet of the side wall and below the roof.
Does this look like it was done for cosmetic reasons or suggests a more serious underlying issue?

DE_612183

doubt it was cosmetic -  I presume there was some work need on the wall at some point that needed the pebble dash to be removed - what does the agent say?

eddddy

As a starting point, ask the estate agent. I suspect that the estate agent has already asked the seller, but if not, they'll probably give the seller a call to ask.

Obviously, the seller might not give a 100% honest answer - but you can post their answer here, and see if others think it credible.

DE_612183

has the PD also been removed from the front of the house?

stuart45

Solid 9 inch gable walls are often exposed to driving rain causing damp issues inside. Render/pebble dash was often done to try and help.

Albermarle

stuart45 said:

Solid 9 inch gable walls are often exposed to driving rain causing damp issues inside. Render/pebble dash was often done to try and help.

I think it depends on which way it is facing and the location. Most rain and wind in the UK comes from SW and West.

My parents had a small semi in the North West of England, with a joint passageway to the next semi.( about 70 years old) 
Their side wall/gable was in very good condition, whilst the neighbours was in poor condition due to it getting a lot more 'weather' even though the side passage was not that wide ( about one metre) .

lincroft1710

Possibly the p/d cracked and fell off or was causing problems and was removed. But I would be cautious about buying a house where the vendor doesn't seem to care about the external appearance

Midlander01

Thanks for replies all. I've emailed agent awaiting response

That wall is facing SE/East. I can see why render might have been left on the gable wall for protection from the elements - it just looks uneven so Im wondering if, as suggested, the rest was removed at some point

jimbog

Do historical Google Streeview show anything?

ThisIsWeird

How could PD be removed so cleanly?! Unless it was so poorly applied that it just fell off.
Strange.

bobster2

jimbog said:

Do historical Google Streeview show anything?

Yes. Definitely have a look on Google Streetview. You may find images going back to 2008.

That will at least give you an idea of when the pebbledash came off.