- Joined
- 13 Nov 2018
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- 6
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Im in the process of buying a house. The house was originally constructed in 1820 and consisted of 2 downstairs rooms and 2 upstairs rooms. The house was extensively extended in the 1960s and is now a 4 bedroom ditched house. The house is located in County Durham. The standard of the build on the extension (which included a full new roof) is excellent.
However, weve found a slight issue. There is a considerable (50-80mm) lean on 1 upstairs bedroom and the staircase. both of which are part of the original house. We have had a structural survey conducted and the surveyor stated that "there is no obvious signs of subsidence that would warrant such a big slope across the floors. If there had been such a movement none of the doors would close – but they all do and they don’t appear to have been adjusted to suit a sloping wall. However, the doors and windows could have been realigned and plastered / rendered around during the alteration works in the 1960s which would create the impression that nothing has moved. T If it is not recent subsidence then the sloping floor could be historic subsidence and the renovations and alterations in the 1960’s covered everything over – except the sloping floors." The house has not been decorated or updated since the 1960s (old farmer).
"There are no other signs of movement and no cracks in any of the interior walls. The exterior is poorly rendered and the render is cracked due to de-bonding and needs replaced but there is no cracking internally to match the external."
The render means the external walls cannot be checked. But in the loft the gable walls are exposed and are of excellent construction and have no signs of movement.
Im unsure where to go from here. It seems solid but the survey is inconclusive and there are no reports of underpinning or insurance claims. Do I keep going with the purchase or pull out whilst i still can? Any advice would be appreciated.
However, weve found a slight issue. There is a considerable (50-80mm) lean on 1 upstairs bedroom and the staircase. both of which are part of the original house. We have had a structural survey conducted and the surveyor stated that "there is no obvious signs of subsidence that would warrant such a big slope across the floors. If there had been such a movement none of the doors would close – but they all do and they don’t appear to have been adjusted to suit a sloping wall. However, the doors and windows could have been realigned and plastered / rendered around during the alteration works in the 1960s which would create the impression that nothing has moved. T If it is not recent subsidence then the sloping floor could be historic subsidence and the renovations and alterations in the 1960’s covered everything over – except the sloping floors." The house has not been decorated or updated since the 1960s (old farmer).
"There are no other signs of movement and no cracks in any of the interior walls. The exterior is poorly rendered and the render is cracked due to de-bonding and needs replaced but there is no cracking internally to match the external."
The render means the external walls cannot be checked. But in the loft the gable walls are exposed and are of excellent construction and have no signs of movement.
Im unsure where to go from here. It seems solid but the survey is inconclusive and there are no reports of underpinning or insurance claims. Do I keep going with the purchase or pull out whilst i still can? Any advice would be appreciated.