Survey report says cracks on internal wall!

[olubee30]

Good day fam!
We are buying an old 1900 3-bed terrace and surveyors report picked this up:

There are cracks/distortions in the bathroom and rear bedroom that could be associated with drains leaking below ground and close to the building externally or plumbing leaks below the floors. Faulty drainage or plumbing can cause movement and buildings can often be found to have defective drains. Plumbing leaks are found less often. Leaking water can soften the ground beneath the foundations, leading to movement. We therefore recommend that the drainage is tested by means of a pressure test, possibly followed by a CCTV inspection. A CCTV inspection alone will not confirm whether or not there are any leaks, nor whereabouts the leaks are located. The local water company could be responsible for some drainage repairs and this should be confirmed by your legal advisor. The plumbing system can be tested for leaks by a reputable plumbing contractor. Further advice with regard to remedial work necessary, can be obtained from a structural engineer. A structural engineers specification for necessary repair will also be required, particularly if no leaks can be found.

It said this about the hallway as well. I have attached pictures of the said crack as well. just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding this, as we are wondering if to proceed with purchase.

 

[securespark]

What does it look like outside?

Where there are drains, manholes, etc, are there sunken flagstones, cracked concrete, or brickwork etc?

 

[olubee30]

@securespark Thanks for the response.
Survey did identify cracks on external wall as well. I've attached pictures and the statement.

 

[jj4091]

"It said this about the hallway as well. I have attached pictures of the said crack as well. just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding this, as we are wondering if to proceed with purchase."

Don't proceed unless you are completely happy. Getting alll the various opinions may help but would be expensive and you still wouldn't be sure until the repair work was started how much work would be involved nor how much upheavaland expense you would suffer once you moved in. No disrespect to you but if you have no one whose opinion you would trust and expertise to advise you then I think I would look for another property in better condition. If it's cheap then there is probably a reason for it. To me the surveyor sounds a bit concerened about the condition of it.

 

[securespark]

A good survey usually includes estimates for repairs. Do you have any included in yours?

Basically, I would weigh up the purchase price and the costs of all the repairs.

Does this figure come in well under the cost of buying a similar property that does not need repairs?

Have you spoken to your surveyor?

If in any doubt, walk away.

They say there's only three things that matter:

Location, location and location.

It would have to be a flipping good location with no other alternatives.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

It's impossible to judge from tiny photos at the other end of the internet.

Fixing the drains is essential IF they are the cause. It could be a minor patch up or complete replacement of every pipe. Nobody knows this is even the cause, it's the surveyor's guess. But whatever the cause, the damage needs repairing. This could include underpinning, which will cost £1000s and will probably mean it's hard to insure and/or you pay extra per year for ever, and you'd need to declare this to any future potential buyers. I think some councils keep a register, so it won't ever be forgotten.

Unless there's something exceptional about it my instinct would be to wait for something better to appear. Next time you'll know the sort of thing you should be looking for so hopefully won't need to spend £100s to find out there's an issue.

Register with Rightmove, save a search with alerts and wait. Be ready to pounce, hopefully get the next good one before anyone else gets chance.

The stuff that's currently listed for sale is entirely everyone else's rejects. The good ones pop up and are grabbed almost immediately, most people don't ever see them.

 

[olubee30]

Thank you for the response. Much appreciated.
Really considering walking away, bur just wanted to be sure I'm not overeacting.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

You're probably not, it's the biggest investment most people make in their lifetimes. Structural cracks are definitely a big deal. But... it's impossible for anyone here to tell just from the tiny photos you've posted.

In general shrinkage isn't a big deal - which is usually a vertical crack resulting from entirely horizontal movement. More common in new buildings. If there's any vertical movement (downwards) then that is a concern. If so you'd get a step in the bricks courses on each side of the crack, or a crack that's wider at the top than the bottom, where two parts of the building are tilting away from each other.