Survey report points - maintenance jobs?

YummieGummie

We arranged a Level 2 survey to be carried out and the report came back very positive; the property is structurally sound and nothing is falling apart or requires urgent, major work. There were a few minor issues and I'm wondering if I would be right in thinking that all the things below are just things we should absorb the cost of in fixing ourselves:

• A failed rear elevation double-glazed unit, with condensation forming between the panes 
• Moss / vegetation blocking gutter between main roof and conservatory roof - this could increase the risk of water ingress
• Leaking gutter joint
• Holes in rear facia board could allow pest entry and should be filled 
• No gable restraint straps connecting the roof structure to the gable wall. 'While this may not have been a requirement under the building regulations in place at the time of construction, the installation of gable restraint straps is recommended in line with current standards to improve stability.'
• A section of the wind bracing has been cut to accommodate a now redundant flue pipe. 'Additional bracing is recommended to restore continuity and maintain the stability of the roof structure.'
• Some wall tiles missing from the base of the soil vent pipe enclosure in the bathroom 

david29dpo

Nothing there would worry me to much except perhaps for gable end restraints.
How old is the house?
 

stuart45

The majority of houses built in the 20th century don't have restraint straps on the gable ends. It's not a massive job to retro fit them, although nowadays it will still probably cost a fair bit to work in the roof space. Same with the diagonal wind braces. The early trussed rafter roofs in the 60's to 80's didn't have them, and many still don't. 

YummieGummie

Thanks for your replies. I didn't know that most houses built in the 20th century don't have gable end restraint straps.

david29dpo said:

Nothing there would worry me to much except perhaps for gable end restraints.
How old is the house?
 

The house was built around 1980, according to the survey report.

stuart45

YummieGummie said:

Thanks for your replies. I didn't know that most houses built in the 20th century don't have gable end restraint straps.

david29dpo said:

Nothing there would worry me to much except perhaps for gable end restraints.
How old is the house?
 

The house was built around 1980, according to the survey report.

After the hurricane in 1987, when a lot of roofs came off and gable ends came down, new ideas came in for new builds. Roofs were strapped down from the wall plates, and gable ends had restraint straps built into the inner skin.
You could fit them yourself if you are reasonably practical, all you need to do is put a few noggins between the rafters, screw the straps to the rafters and to the inner block wall.
These are the noggins, but I did these when building the roof, so they are on top of the rafters, but when you retro fit them they are fixed to the bottom.

Smalltownhypocrite

A level 2 survey isn't a structural survey (its cosmetic level survey about what may effect the 'value') and surveyors are not structural engineers (even a level 3 so called 'structural' report will just highlight possible problems and tells you to seek a professional specialist) so they can't say the house is 'structurally sound'.

Albermarle

Smalltownhypocrite said:

A level 2 survey isn't a structural survey (its cosmetic level survey about what may effect the 'value') and surveyors are not structural engineers (even a level 3 so called 'structural' report will just highlight possible problems and tells you to seek a professional specialist) so they can't say the house is 'structurally sound'.

A level 2 survey will also alert you to general maintenance jobs that need doing, what might need replacing in the near future,  and to advise on what other areas need further investigation ( if any) .

YummieGummie

Thanks everyone for your replies.

stuart45 said:

After the hurricane in 1987, when a lot of roofs came off and gable ends came down, new ideas came in for new builds. Roofs were strapped down from the wall plates, and gable ends had restraint straps built into the inner skin.
You could fit them yourself if you are reasonably practical, all you need to do is put a few noggins between the rafters, screw the straps to the rafters and to the inner block wall.
These are the noggins, but I did these when building the roof, so they are on top of the rafters, but when you retro fit them they are fixed to the bottom.

Thanks for the info, Stuart. To say I'm not very practical would be an understatement - I had to look up what noggins are - so might be tempted to call in a professional.