Cracking in render behind drain

[hhr]

Had an offer accepted on a property but just noticed this when had another viewing.There is cracking behind drain in pebbledash - this sounds hollow and other adjacent parts have been patched up with different render (looks old). It has also had that Dutch damp proofing - you can just see round cylinder holes. House built around 1900-1910. Wires on wall are from plants.

There is vertical cracking higher up but I don't seem to have a photo of that.

There's no manhole anywhere in garden that we could find to see if drains are running ok.

Is this an indication of subsidence?

 

[ree]

OP,
Your pics show poorly applied render - render that slumped when it was originally applied - render bridging any DPC - and patched render thats in ground contact - & a probably blocked gully.
The Dutch damp system is an outright scam - all the inserts do is disfigure the walls of the property.
None of what you say or show is a big deal in terms of buying a house.
Why not see what the mortgage surveyor has to say, & then come back here?

 

[hhr]

OP,
Your pics show poorly applied render - render that slumped when it was originally applied - render bridging any DPC - and patched render thats in ground contact - & a probably blocked gully.
The Dutch damp system is an outright scam - all the inserts do is disfigure the walls of the property.
None of what you say or show is a big deal in terms of buying a house.
Why not see what the mortgage surveyor has to say, & then come back here?

Hi, I'm not getting a mortgage so I've had a structural engineer to look at it. I haven't had report but this is what he said.

He said rear corner has dropped slightly. It might be where the old toilet goes into drain has softened the ground. Or it could be drains. I asked what the fix was and he said as part of renovations need to investigate and dig out where old toilet is. Might need some concrete in that area.

I asked if that meant underpinning and he said not underpin as such and we don't use that word as insurers don't like it. He'll put it might need some concrete in corner due to softening or gully leakage and that's a localised area.

Is this right or is he trying to be helpful? I can't check the drains further as there are no manholes in any rear gardens.

I don't want to buy and find there are insurance issues.

 

[ree]

OP,
More pics & info needed showing 1. the corner that the SE mentioned - and 2. where the old WC was, & if the SE indicated "where the WC goes into drain"?
Are there any cracks inside the property?
Did the SE examine the whole internals & externals of the property?

 

[hhr]

Thanks for replying. I've been to property and got some photos. He didn't indicate where wc went into drain - there's no manhole to check so couldn't be certain.

There seems to be some inside cracks above kitchen door to left of drain.

He examined the whole of the property.

Any advice gratefully received

 

[ree]

OP,
Thank you for the photo's - what they show is very little in the way of "stop you buying a house" defects.
But I can only give an opinion on what I can see and what you say.
There will be a manhole close by the property or even covered over by the backyard tiles - its no big deal.
Doing a bit of digging - sorting out a bottle gully connected to drainage - re-designing the shed roof RWP - & hacking off a panel of render and a panel of interior plaster could possibly be done for £2000.
It depends on whats revealed after hacking off & digging.
FWIW: I would say buy the house if its the one you want.

Come back here if you buy & begin renovating.

 

[hhr]

OP,
Thank you for the photo's - what they show is very little in the way of "stop you buying a house" defects.
But I can only give an opinion on what I can see and what you say.
There will be a manhole close by the property or even covered over by the backyard tiles - its no big deal.
Doing a bit of digging - sorting out a bottle gully connected to drainage - re-designing the shed roof RWP - & hacking off a panel of render and a panel of interior plaster could possibly be done for £2000.
It depends on whats revealed after hacking off & digging.
FWIW: I would say buy the house if its the one you want.

Come back here if you buy & begin renovating.