Steel framed house 1950s build

[HawkEye244]

I'm looking at potentially picking up a property at auction and have never come across a steel framed semi from the 1950s. Are there any particular issues with this type of design ? Of course my main concerns are structural. The general condition of the inside is poor and needs modernisation (I haven't yet seen inside).

 

[blightymam]

Only things I know about them is there may be a problem insuring them/getting mortgage, at least that was what I was lead to believe when we eyed up a timber house a few years ago (was mentioned at the time as another building type that was unusual). Oh, and may have a fair bit of asbestos used in them so modernisation may be trickier to do?

 

[HawkEye244]

Only things I know about them is there may be a problem insuring them/getting mortgage, at least that was what I was lead to believe when we eyed up a timber house a few years ago (was mentioned at the time as another building type that was unusual). Oh, and may have a fair bit of asbestos used in them so modernisation may be trickier to do?

This is the type of feedback I was after. Surely steel is almost as sturdy as brick or stone in a fire ? I may give an insurer a ring.

Where would the asbestos likely to be do you think ?

I can't picture how the external walls/internal walls are built up so it's difficult to imagine. I would assume the internal partitions would be brick.. ?

 

[KenGMac]

I have seen three of four only, when I was undertaking insurance claim Surveys.

1/. as above Asbestos, left when parts of the air central heating was removed, one I saw had a vertical Asbestos shaft?
2/. External wall insulation as I recall was really thin or non-existent, a major up-grade may be requires to the insulation.
3/. Keep an eye open for any indications of rusting or rust run marks internally and externally, the outer surfaces were painted with a textured coating of some sort.


There is an entire estate sited to the East of Glasgow that I have been in, Insurance should not be to difficult it is an accepted design, and they are still standing.

Ken.

 

[HawkEye244]

Am I to assume that all buildings of this design had ary air heating systems then ?

It has an EPC rating of E49, so yes, terrible.

Here it is have a look :

http://www.shobrook.co.uk/properties/view/552

I was thinking perhaps taking the pebble dash render off and re-applying an insulation + render system. It would add a few hundred mm to the face of the building but then bring it up to spec. Not something I've done before so I'd have a specialist in.

The asbestos is an issue. If the property is riddled with it I'd prefer to have the lot taken out, but by the sounds of this it's going to be in all the places that would require tearing the building apart. It may be worth doing this anyway I suppose as clearly they have not included internal photos for a very good reason.

It doesn't look to have a gas supplier either, just electric. The outside pavement indicates two water meters one for each house.

The greenhouse/fuel store indicates it's got no gas.

 

[empip]

Begin by looking up 'Defective Housing'.
Steel frame and precast concrete :-
http://www.prcbuilder.co.uk/Defective-Houses-List.php

-0-

 

[securespark]

Not steel framed, but very interesting all the same:

Look at the geezer carrying roof tiles up a ladder on his head, no hands!

 

[Nige F]

Looks like a classic ex L.A. house . If I lived next to it ( semi joined) I would see about getting it and knock them both down and re develop the plot. Other than that I wouldn't bother with it.

 

[HawkEye244]

I think the work isn't going to justify the return. Certainly not the re-sale return. It's clearly on auction for a reason and also I don't like the proximity to that road behind. Even with shrub screening you won't get any quiet in the back, especially not the back bedroom. Passing thought anyway.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Whatever it is will be reflected in the price.

Is there a road at the back?

 

[HawkEye244]

Whatever it is will be reflected in the price.

Is there a road at the back?

Not quite but almost. That rear bedroom has an ear full from boy racers if you look at google maps. Those little things are the tipping point when a house has other issues as well. I can see them getting near enough the guide price though.

 

[jeds]

First thing anybody should do when considering a non traditional house is find out the exact type. There are dozens of steel houses, mostly built in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and they all have different constructions and problems, knowing the type will allow you to look it up and see exactly how it was built and what problems to look for. As far as I recall none of the steel houses are designated defective, which means they should be mortgageable, but all will need extensive upgrading if they are still in original form.

 

[securespark]

which means they should be mortgageable

Assuming they have a working bathroom, kitchen and a roof in good order.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Several local councils around here faced with refurbishing 1940s and 195s Tarran houses have opted to dismantle the house and build new rendered blockwork and timber conventional houses on the existing concrete bases, retaining and reusing the services connections. This is reckoned to be cheaper and more durable than any other approach. Apart from asbestos there are other issues in terms of concrete panel condition, lack of DG, poor insulation, poor sound proofing, substandard heating/ventilation, damp and old wiring which to a greater or lesser extent afflict every one of this type of house I've ever worked in

 

[securespark]

If indeed the house you are interested in is a Tarran house, there is a report here on their viability:

http://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/d...Properties Appendix 1 - 28 Feb 9999 10098.pdf

PRC is prestressed reinforced concrete.