Building Survey

[swfcdm1]

Hi All,

In the process of purchasing a house, built in the 1960s and have had a level 2 survey done on the property, one area it has flagged is moderate movement above the front window

Does this look like a possible failed boot lintel or could it be signs of subsidance

On the neighbouring property there is also cracks starting at the top of their window and going down onto the front of the property i am looking to purchase

Cant upload pictures but here is the link

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drive.google.com

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Photos 1 & 2 don't look like a big deal, it does look like the lintel only.

Photos 3 & 4 look far more serious. A failed lintel won't cause a crack below it, that is foundation movement.

Vertical movement downwards is shown in photo 3. That means subsidence.

This house or the neighbour has been re-pointed. The one that hasn't been looks fine, which raises the obvious question as to why it was done? Possibly as a cover-up, probably the last time it was sold.

I would run away. Actually I wouldn't have got to where you now are, I'd have walked away before going in the door for the first viewing. Accept the loss of fees as a lesson learned, train your eyes and look for yourself in future.

Sorry if it's not what you wanted to hear.

 

[swfcdm1]

Photos 1 & 2 don't look like a big deal, it does look like the lintel only.

Photos 3 & 4 look far more serious. A failed lintel won't cause a crack below it, that is foundation movement.

Vertical movement downwards is shown in photo 3. That means subsidence.

This house or the neighbour has been re-pointed. The one that hasn't been looks fine, which raises the obvious question as to why it was done? Possibly as a cover-up, probably the last time it was sold.

View attachment 395910

I would run away. Actually I wouldn't have got to where you now are, I'd have walked away before going in the door for the first viewing. Accept the loss of fees as a lesson learned, train your eyes and look for yourself in future.

Sorry if it's not what you wanted to hear.

Thanks for the reply, exactly my thoughts, the crack on the left side of the fence is concerning as it starts top of the window on their side and goes down to the side of the house i am looking at, the area it is built in is clay based which is worse for subsidence right?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

You can build on anything if the foundations are adequate.

Vertical lines aren't much of a worry, it normally means the brickwork has shrunk, usually because it's dried after building.

But horizontal lines can only mean that part of the building has moved downwards, which means the foundation has cracked and some of it is sinking.

 

[swfcdm1]

but judging off the 3rd and 4th picture you would say it is concerning?

I am going back tomorrow with a builder and plan is to speak to the neighbour who's house has the cracks

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Great, but I think you're wasting your time and possibly money.

The cracks are not confined to next door.

 

[swfcdm1]

Great, but I think you're wasting your time and possibly money.

The cracks are not confined to next door.

the builder is a friend so no cost to me thankfully

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Get him in before the surveyor next time!