Hi all, considering buying a 30s semi and noticed a couple of dodgy-looking areas on the walls during our viewing. Would really appreciate a second opinion from anyone with a bit of experience in these things.
Firstly beneath the bay window in the lounge, there is a large area that looks speckled and we wondered if mould is the likely culprit although there's no obvious smell of mould. Secondly, on the side of what is presumaby the chimney breast (no fireplace now, just plain wall), there's a small area that has bubbled up and the corner of the wall looks like it has been patched up and repainted a bit, plus the skirting and possibly discolouration on the floor. Photos attached of both. I also wasn't sure if the screw in the socket on that second picture is showing a bit of rust. Any ideas on whether that is likely down to damp, either past or current, how it might have occurred and how serious it might be?
We did ask the vendor (via estate agents) if there had been any damp problems in the house and were told there had in the hall cupboard and that a new damp proof course was put in recently, but no mention of any other damp. Both these areas are nowhere near the hall cupboard which is in the centre of the house (as it is now - it backs onto the internal garage wall I'm guessing used to be the external wall before the garage was added). Not sure where the damp there would have come from, or whether the DPC would just relate to that area.
Obviously we would get a full survey done but would rather do some initial fact-finding before we get to that stage, given the time, cost and hassle if it turns out there's a bad enough problem that we don't want to go ahead with the purchase. Not expecting a 30s house to be in perfect nick, but it's already stretching our budget a bit and we can't afford to saddle ourselves with a money pit (we've also no idea if it has ever been rewired or checked for lead pipes).
Then there are the stone window sills at the front, which have cracks in - not sure how easily they can be repaired but would probably cost a lot to replace. Not an issue at the back which has rounded bay windows with render in between (may need patching up a bit too). Again, photos attached.
Never had a house this old before and only considering this one through necessity rather than any great desire for a period property, so would rather not go ahead if it's likely to be a lot of trouble. Any advice gratefully received!
Firstly beneath the bay window in the lounge, there is a large area that looks speckled and we wondered if mould is the likely culprit although there's no obvious smell of mould. Secondly, on the side of what is presumaby the chimney breast (no fireplace now, just plain wall), there's a small area that has bubbled up and the corner of the wall looks like it has been patched up and repainted a bit, plus the skirting and possibly discolouration on the floor. Photos attached of both. I also wasn't sure if the screw in the socket on that second picture is showing a bit of rust. Any ideas on whether that is likely down to damp, either past or current, how it might have occurred and how serious it might be?
We did ask the vendor (via estate agents) if there had been any damp problems in the house and were told there had in the hall cupboard and that a new damp proof course was put in recently, but no mention of any other damp. Both these areas are nowhere near the hall cupboard which is in the centre of the house (as it is now - it backs onto the internal garage wall I'm guessing used to be the external wall before the garage was added). Not sure where the damp there would have come from, or whether the DPC would just relate to that area.
Obviously we would get a full survey done but would rather do some initial fact-finding before we get to that stage, given the time, cost and hassle if it turns out there's a bad enough problem that we don't want to go ahead with the purchase. Not expecting a 30s house to be in perfect nick, but it's already stretching our budget a bit and we can't afford to saddle ourselves with a money pit (we've also no idea if it has ever been rewired or checked for lead pipes).
Then there are the stone window sills at the front, which have cracks in - not sure how easily they can be repaired but would probably cost a lot to replace. Not an issue at the back which has rounded bay windows with render in between (may need patching up a bit too). Again, photos attached.
Never had a house this old before and only considering this one through necessity rather than any great desire for a period property, so would rather not go ahead if it's likely to be a lot of trouble. Any advice gratefully received!
