who should I get to check structural concerns?

Hi All

We purchased our house in April 07 and had a "full structural survey" carried out by someone independent of the mortgage company.

I've recently been up in the loft and have some concerns over a few things that I would consider obvious and would have expected to see in the report.

Firstly, should I get someone round to have a look over it and who would be best? General builder? Engineer? another surveyor?

And if they find anything, do I have any comeback on a survey carried out 20 months ago?

There was a caveat in the report that basically said, If something is hidden or not visable then he cant be expected to bring it to our attention, but all of the things are visable (and were at the time)

Any advice greatly appreciated.

hi,
what did you find??????.

IIRC, there is no such thing as a "full structural survey" by any of the professions.

So you will have to determine what type of survey you had, and what the limitations of that survey were.

If this "structural survey" was done by a structural engineer, then he may well have just been looking at the structure, and not commented on anything not significant to the structural elements

Whether the things you have seen in the loft are obvious, missed or insignificant to the report, depends on what they are

If, after twenty months the property has not fallen down due to these items, then it may be safe to assume that they are not an issue

Hi guys and thanks for taking a look

One of my main concerns is what I guess is called the main ridge beam of the house. We are an end terrace and it is not tied into the gable wall at the end. It is some 8" short of the wall.

One of the 2 main structural beams, that look like they were added in the 80s, passes through the chimney breast and there is some major wood worm damage to 2 of the upright supports in the gable end wall.

The roof has been redone in I beleive the 80s and the slate was replaced with concrete tiles, which I am told are heavier. The roof had a couple 2x4s added to give additional support but there is a slight sag.

My first concern over water in the loft sounds like condensation having read some other posts on here.

The £600 I paid for the survey only highlighted a minor leak in the soil pipe and some blown plaster downstairs from an old damp problem long since rectified.

The loft was empty during the inspection with enough boards to allow access to all of these areas and the "surveyor" did carryout a loft inspection.

The overall appraisal of the house was one of sound structure.

I will dig out the report tomorrow and see what the terms are, but my initial reaction is that it isnt worth the paper it is written on.

But hey, I might feel differently in the morning.

Thanks again for looking I'll update tomorrow

Kind regards

Paul

You need a structural engineer.

The ridge beam is not really load bearing so may not have to bear on to the gable wall. But I would expect a comment just to say that its been noticed and not a concern

Wood worm can munch away in twenty months, so whether it was there at the time of survey is debatable

Deflection to the rafters is a another moot argument difficult to say what it was like at time of survey. But it will depend on the actual survey instruction as to whether a comment was warranted.

But change of roof cover is something which would ring a little bell and require a check of the rafters and supports for adequacy.

Hi All and thanks again for your comments

I have read through the report this morning and it has more holes in it than my supporting beams. Enough caveats to make it next to useless.

I think next time I buy a house I will only employ a specialist to check on specific areas I have concern on rather than paying £680 for a general report about the hinges on my back gate and the size of my front garden.

Great news about the ridge beam. This was one of my main areas of concern.

From a further inspection last night, It appears as though there is little ventilation in the loft space and the vents in the eves (soffits and facias etc??) seem to be blocked with debris. The yellow fibre glass insulation is stuffed right into them as well. I'm going to take some time later today to clean them all out.

Thanks again for your comments

Paul