Power to sockets problem

[kevin12345]

Hello,
I'm in the process of buying a repossion house.
As normal all the electrics are turned off for health and safety until sale has completed.
I was checky and turned the consumer unit back on while on a unsupervised visit just to have a quick check that everything is working.
I can not give detailed infomation about the consumer unit apart from the property is 11 years old and it has trip swictches in the unit.
I put all the trips up and the lights work in the house along with bathroom fans but there is no power to the plug sockets downstairs and upstairs.
There is only one trip for sockets up and down, same with the lights only one trip. The trips stay up for the sockets and lights.
It looks like there has been a small flood from the ceiling above the kitchen at same time, don't know if this is related to the problem.
Sorry I can not give any more infomation, just wondered if there could be a really simple reason for this problem or could I be looking at a big problem?
Thanks

 

[bongos]

It could be a simple explanation cuch as a loose cable somewhere. But it could also be much worse if things such as concealed junction boxes have become flood damaged or maybe cables have become damaged somewhere in the house.

Unfortunately it's very difficult to say without doing a bit of inspection and fault finding.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm in the process of buying a repossion house.

Have you budgeted for a complete rewire?

 

[kevin12345]

No I have not budgeted for a rewire, I did not know of the problem when viewing. I was hoping it is something easily fixable.
Thanks

 

[securespark]

Can I just say to anyone else buying a repo... Don't turn the electricity on if it is off.

Put it this way...would you do the same with the gas???

 

[Johnmelad502]

Hello,
I'm in the process of buying a repossion house.
As normal all the electrics are turned off for health and safety until sale has completed.
I was checky and turned the consumer unit back on while on a unsupervised visit just to have a quick check that everything is working.
I can not give detailed infomation about the consumer unit apart from the property is 11 years old and it has trip swictches in the unit.
I put all the trips up and the lights work in the house along with bathroom fans but there is no power to the plug sockets downstairs and upstairs.
There is only one trip for sockets up and down, same with the lights only one trip. The trips stay up for the sockets and lights.
It looks like there has been a small flood from the ceiling above the kitchen at same time, don't know if this is related to the problem.
Sorry I can not give any more infomation, just wondered if there could be a really simple reason for this problem or could I be looking at a big problem?
Thanks

Insist on having the electrics checked (and gas if you have it) as a prerequisite of the purchase. If you don't, you could be facing a really hefty bill.

 

[plugwash]

My guess is either the breaker is shot or there is a RCD after it which you haven't found yet or some wires have come out somewhere.

The particular fault that is stopping the sockets working is probablly realtively simple to fix, the worry is what other horrors the electrician will find when looking for it.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

'tis not unknown for people, knowing they are to be evicted and their house repossessed, to do a bit of "slash & burn" before they go.

 

[taycast]

'tis not unknown for people, knowing they are to be evicted and their house repossessed, to do a bit of "slash & burn" before they go.

I agree. I am not a spark but deal with repossessions all the time which are more often than not trashed to some degree before eviction. Be very wary about property condition.

Usually sold as seen. Assume worst case scenario.

 

[kevin12345]

Hello,
Thanks for your replys.
I have a few more details about my lack of power in the sockets in the house that I'm buying but is empty at the moment.
Inside the consumer unit on the side there is 2 sockets switches and 1 cooker switch. These switches can be put up in the reset possition but I do not get any power from the sockets or the cooker socket. Beside them is a RCCB trip 63A, I can not get this to go up in the reset possition. It has a blue test button on it I have tried pressing it and putting it up but nothing happens, it is stuck in the down possition. On the right hand side of the consumer box there are trips for the lights and these work and I'm getting lights ok.
What do you think may be my problem?
Thanks in advance

 

[nozspark]

It sounds like it could be an older Square d CU...

Theie RCD's (once tripped) need to be pushed down before they will allow you to reset them....

But, you should really get it tested before you buy, or factor in for a rewire and then get it tested before you move in..

Electricity can kill you know!!

 

[kevin12345]

Hello,
Thanks for your replys.
I have a few more details about my lack of power in the sockets in the house that I'm buying but is empty at the moment.
Inside the consumer unit on the side there is 2 sockets switches and 1 cooker switch. These switches can be put up in the reset possition but I do not get any power from the sockets or the cooker socket. Beside them is a RCCB trip 63A, I can not get this to go up in the reset possition. It has a blue test button on it I have tried pressing it and putting it up but nothing happens, it is stuck in the down possition. On the right hand side of the consumer box there are trips for the lights and these work and I'm getting lights ok.
What do you think may be my problem?
Thanks in advance

I have been back to the property and tried to reset the 63A Hager trip by pushing it down then up, nothing happens , I can not push it down and can not push it up.
Any ideas before I call out an electrician?
Thanks in advance

 

[EdwardCurrent]

Hello.
It would be wrong for any of us to comment without seeing/testing anything in this case.The results could be shocking.
Lets face it, your best bet is to get a registered part p electrician to visit the property and carry out a PIR test. And then you can take things from there ?
Just my thoughts.
Ed.

 

[kevin12345]

What is a PIR Test and how much should it cost me?
Thanks

 

[1john]

it is a Periodic Inspection Report, phone and get 3 to 5 quotes, the prices vary from region to region and from company to company.

That is the best advice for you.