Garage Floor Level Higher than House Floor Level & other issues!!

superted

Hi there to all

Not sure if anyone can help out there also appologies if this is in the wrong section,,

we have had a home buyers survey done on a property we are looking to move too and it has thrown at us a few worries..

one of which states the floor in the garage is higher than the floor in the house....!!

and they think this might go against building regulations... anyone know if this is the case?

the property was build in the earl 1930's !!!

also we are in Northampton can anyone recommend a good Timber/Gas/Electricity Specialists as we have also been suggested they are items that need to be checked....


thanks for reading and i look forward to any feedback!!!

ukwoody

I can only assume the garage floor issue relates to the possible height of the Damp Proof Course. If the floor is higher then the DPC on the main house, theoretically you could have a damp problem in years to come. This is probably unlikely, but it might be worth getting a local builder round to tell you what he thinks.

My partner is in independent mortage advisor, who informs me it is a normal precaution the surveyor has taken over the timber gas and electric. It suggests this could be an older property (?), in which if the supplies are over 10 years old then they should be checked by a qualified sparky and Corgi engineer.
I am a bit puzzled by the timber aspect, if it is an old house he may be worried by the possiblilty of woodworm, in which case get a local company in to check. If a newer house, then I'm really not quite sure.
Do bear in mind though that these are very often standard conditions to cover his own backside....

woody

superted

ukwoody wrote: »

I can only assume the garage floor issue relates to the possible height of the Damp Proof Course. If the floor is higher then the DPC on the main house, theoretically you could have a damp problem in years to come. This is probably unlikely, but it might be worth getting a local builder round to tell you what he thinks.

My partner is in independent mortage advisor, who informs me it is a normal precaution the surveyor has taken over the timber gas and electric. It suggests this could be an older property (?), in which if the supplies are over 10 years old then they should be checked by a qualified sparky and Corgi engineer.
I am a bit puzzled by the timber aspect, if it is an old house he may be worried by the possiblilty of woodworm, in which case get a local company in to check. If a newer house, then I'm really not quite sure.
Do bear in mind though that these are very often standard conditions to cover his own backside....

woody

Thank you for your prompt and fast response....

IT has reassured me a great deal.. Yes the house was built in the 1930's...

We will find some "experts" in the area. and go from there.... Thanks again

S.:beer:

fletch14

Hi,

Current Building regs state that there must be a min 150mm step up from a garage into the house on the door threshold. This is to stop petrol fumes entering the house.

Although, the regluations can't be applied retrospectively (sp) so if was ok when it was built no-one could make you change it.

Also would agree with the possible DPC bridge.

Hope that helps

superted

fletch14 wrote: »

Hi,

Current Building regs state that there must be a min 150mm step up from a garage into the house on the door threshold. This is to stop petrol fumes entering the house.

Although, the regluations can't be applied retrospectively (sp) so if was ok when it was built no-one could make you change it.

Also would agree with the possible DPC bridge.

Hope that helps

Thank you for your reply...

When u get a Home Buyers report.. it scares the *** out of ya.. Suddenly thought we were buying a "Money Pit".....

have passed to are solicitor now see what they have to say...

one other thing .. Can anyone recommend a "wood Specialist" in northamptonshire..? that we might be able to use?

nelly_2

fletch14 wrote: »

Hi,

Current Building regs state that there must be a min 150mm step up from a garage into the house on the door threshold. This is to stop petrol fumes entering the house.

Although, the regluations can't be applied retrospectively (sp) so if was ok when it was built no-one could make you change it.

Also would agree with the possible DPC bridge.

Hope that helps

Are you sure?

How exactly cant petrol fumes go over a small step? cos I know if theres petrol on the floor I can smell it stood up 5 foot higher.

I think its to do with petrol leaks from cars coming into the house

Except has anyone ever heard of that actually happening?

And does anyone actually bother putting their car in the garage anymore?

fletch14

Yep, i'm sure :-) I'm a building control surveyor!! (for my sins)

Petrol fumes are heavier than air, therefore can collect and create a layer at floor level. Hence the requirement to have a min 150mm difference up to the house if there is a door opening. To prevent them coming into the home.

Yes you will be able to smell petrol fumes some distance up vertically, petrol molecules will still be in the air.

However, most garages are pretty well ventilated (due to gaps round the garage doors etc), so the petrol fumes are usually dispersed naturally in most cases.

I totally agree, I have never heard of any problems or fire caused by petrol fumes collecting in a garage! Also yep, no one really uses the garages for cars anyway J

I’m based in Manchester so i’m no help on the “wood Specialist” front, just be careful though some of them are just sales people (says problems exist to get the work)!

Good Luck with it all

superted

fletch14 wrote: »

Yep, i'm sure :-) I'm a building control surveyor!! (for my sins)

Petrol fumes are heavier than air, therefore can collect and create a layer at floor level. Hence the requirement to have a min 150mm difference up to the house if there is a door opening. To prevent them coming into the home.

Yes you will be able to smell petrol fumes some distance up vertically, petrol molecules will still be in the air.

However, most garages are pretty well ventilated (due to gaps round the garage doors etc), so the petrol fumes are usually dispersed naturally in most cases.

I totally agree, I have never heard of any problems or fire caused by petrol fumes collecting in a garage! Also yep, no one really uses the garages for cars anyway J

I’m based in Manchester so i’m no help on the “wood Specialist” front, just be careful though some of them are just sales people (says problems exist to get the work)!

Good Luck with it all

Thanks for the kind words.. and Onwards we move with the purchase of the property...

thanks again!:rotfl: