Lumpy Solid Floor (Manchester)

[Jadele]

Our house has lumps and bumps under the carpet throughout the ground floor under the carpet. I have had a look under the carpet and it's difficult to photograph but there are undulations in random spots. Some places have ruptured through. Done a bit of research and sulphate attack has been mentioned. I think the house would have e been built around 1950.

Is this floor ashfelt and what do you think about these lumps? It hard to tell if more are appearing or I am just now noticing them.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[JohnD]

what town are you in?

In some districts furnace ash was used for concrete and can swell up causing cracking depending on the chemicals (especially sulphates) it contains.

if you are in such a district builders, estate agents and long-term residents will know. The floor may need to be dug out and relaid.

 

[Jadele]

Yeah thats what i have been looking at - i am in Manchester

is it ashfelt on top

 

[JohnD]

might be, but we don't have that round my way.

Someone more local may reply

 

[^woody^]

Sulphate attack is not just related to towns or parts of the country, but can vary at street level depeding on the builder and date.

Post war properties are a prime candidate though.

What brings it on is dampness, and often a leaking drain is the instigator. It can get progressively worse, or occur and then stop. Its only a problem if it becomes a problem. Otherwise it can be left.

Asphalt can experience blistering due to moisture and temperature effects. This would be more common on roofs or exposed elements than in a relatively sheltered house floor.

 

[tony1851]

OP is probably correct. There are a few estates in Manchester built in the early 50s that are specifically known to have hardcore problems causing lifting of the floor. The only remedy is to dig it out complete, and lay a new floor, incorporating insulation as well.

 

[tomfe]

Are you sure it's not just had some gripper rods screwed down and then pulled out leaving a hole and some damage?

 

[Jadele]

Are you sure it's not just had some gripper rods screwed down and then pulled out leaving a hole and some damage?

no that pic was more to show the compostion of the surface as i dont know if its ashfelt. the lumps are in the 2nd pic and are random over the floor area but not all over. the dont look much but are very pronounced underfoot.

 

[PaulUszak]

Would sulphate attack be likely too in a 1900's house in the same location (thread hijack)?

 

[^woody^]

Yeah if there are sulphates in the ground

 

[Jadele]

This lumpiness was present when we bought the house. We had a bank lending survey done and it wasn't mentioned. I wonder if there is any recourse if it turned out it was that. Probably not.

 

[PaulUszak]

Do you immediately notice the lumps when you walk across the floor?

If so -> assume they were starting to emerge when the survey was done. -> the experienced and professional surveyor should have noticed the defect. Get legal advice by contacting a no win no fee solicitor with a case against the lender /surveyor. If your case has legs, the solicitor will want to pursue it and you'll know your position...

 

[^woody^]

We had a bank lending survey done and it wasn't mentioned. I wonder if there is any recourse

There is not. That survey is for the lenders purpose to see that the house is worth what they are lending if you default, and is not for your use. You should have had your own survey done.

 

[PaulUszak]

Foreseen loss of asset value perchance? It's probably worth while getting the free legal advice as this is a builder's forum, right?

 

[^woody^]

Foreseen loss of asset value nochance, more like.

The OP did not have a survey. He will need to claim against himself, no-one else is to blame.