Nine Common Issues To Keep an Eye Out For On Your House Survey

When buying a property, there are several important steps which must take place to ensure the home you are buying is fit for purpose. One of the most important processes is having a house survey performed. But what do you need to keep your eye onwhen you get the results back? Here, we take a detailed look at some of thecommon issues you can expect to see on your house survey and what to do aboutthem.

What is a House Survey ?

A housesurvey is an examination of a property which is designed to spot various flawsand issues with a home before a purchase takes place. Carried out by structuralsurveyors, these surveys ensure that a property is fit to be bought andhighlights any problems that the buyer should be aware of. There are three maintypes of surveys that are performed to spot flaws and issues.

A conditionreport is the most basic survey and spots whether a home has any urgentstructural or legal issues that the buyer should be aware of. A homebuyersreport will test the same things as well as provide advice on suggested repairand maintenance work and the market valuation. The most thorough survey is abuilding survey which provides a more in-depth identification of the home’scondition and all of the required repair works.

Whenspending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a home, you must understandprecisely what you are buying, which is why a house survey is always suggestedfor homebuyers. Below, we take a look at just some of the issues that mightcome up on your report.

Damp

Damp is,unsurprisingly, one of the most common issues when it comes to surveying aproperty. Water can quite easily make its way through a home - via the roof,the walls, the floors or due to a flood. If damp is allowed to work its waythrough a home, it can cause rot which can damage the structure of a property.

If you’vehad a house survey come back detailing signs of damp, it’s well worth gettingin touch with a damp specialist. They will be best-placed to analyse the fullextent of the damage and provide advice on the necessary repairs.

Issues With The Roof

Roofingissues are another common structural problem with homes. Exposed to nature, thewind, the rain and storms, roofs take the brunt of the damage on the exteriorof a property. You might just have a couple of cracked tiles that needreplacing, guttering that is blocked or more severe issues which require urgentattention.

If anyunsettling signs of serious roofing issues arise in your survey, it’s vital toseek professional services from a roofing contractor. Anything more than a fewcracked tiles should be looked into more thoroughly.

Electrical Safety Issues

Whenpurchasing a property, it’s critical to ensure that the house has adequate testcertification for electrical appliances. Electrics should be tested once everydecade in a home. The survey will check this and could highlight small issuesor larger problems which may require a complete rewiring of the property. Ifthe issues highlighted are urgent, you will probably have to get an ElectricalInstallation Condition Report.

Structural Movement

Structuralmovement is an issue that has the potential to be very serious and may requireimmediate attention. As the name suggests, structural movement describes anissue whereby the physical structure of the home is slipping or moving. Themain signs of this are cracks in the walls and other symptoms of structuraldamage.

In the veryworst cases, structural movement can lead to collapsing walls, so it’scertainly not something you want to see in your survey. If your house surveydoes come up with evidence of structural movement, you’ll need to call in theexperts right away. The costs for severe repair works can be astronomical andcould even impact your decision to buy the house in the first place. Once youhave a second expert opinion, you’ll know the best way to move forward.

Cavity Wall Ties

Cavity wallties are small pins which bring the two layers of a cavity wall together andensure the structural stability of a home. Without them in place, the structureof a property can be in jeopardy. The vast majority of buildings since the1920s feature cavity walls and, therefore, wall ties. However, before 1978, allwall ties were made from galvanised mild steel. It was thought that these wouldlast for life, however, it’s since been noticed that they tend to corrode afterabout two decades. So, if you are buying a house which was built before 1978and your survey returns with wall issues, it may well be down to these ties.Getting an expert in to take a look can save you plenty of time, energy andstress.

Invasive Plants

If you seethe words: Japanese Knotweed in your survey, you should take serious note.These plants can slowly destabilise the structure of a property. However, evenmore, worrying than that, they are incredibly hard to get rid of. This type ofinvasive plant is so notoriously difficult to get rid of that some mortgageproviders won’t even give you your mortgage if its present on a survey. If youfind this, you’ll need to contact specialists and ensure that the weed iscompletely removed before buying. Otherwise, you could be in serious troublelater on down the road.

Drainage Issues

The drainagein your property is critical for the safety and structural integrity of yourhome. If you have faulty drain pipes, water can collect and cause damp androtting. A survey should include details about the quality of the drainage inyour home. If the house survey comes back with information detailing faultydrains, you should have a specialist drainage company take a look to ascertainwhether you require immediate action. If you do, it’s important to have thiscompleted or investigated further before buying.

Problems With Your Windows

Housesurveys also look at the quality and condition of your windows. Windows play animportant role in the insulation of your home. Your survey may come backsuggesting that your windows need updating or replacing. Especially if yourwindows are made of wood or are old, they may require some attention beforebuying. If the windows of the property are ill-fitting or won’t close properly,this could be a symptom of structural movement or other, more serious issues.

Insulation

Finally,your house survey should provide some information on the quality of yourinsulation and whether you require work to be completed in this area of theproperty. All homes should have adequate insulation installed to reduce heatingbills and protect the environment. Most homes will come with an Energy Performance Certificate which provides information on thequality of thermal performance of the home. Your house survey may come backwith details of missing areas of insulation. If so, seek further details sothat restorative action can take place.

For a Professional House Survey in Borehamwood,Watford and Greater London, Look No Further Than Simon Levy

Here atSimon Levy, we’re expert structural engineers who can provide you with a housesurvey when you require one in Greater London. As professionals with years ofexperience, we have worked with countless clients and provide a range ofservices. From providing a house survey for clients to services for party walldisputes, planning matters, witnesses and much more, we can help you withwhatever your requirements are.

Establishedin 1986, we’ve become one of the most well-renowned chartered surveyorcompanies in the area. We are spearheaded by Simon Levy who is a publishedexpert surveyor, whose knowledge and experience trickles down through everyfacet of the organisation. If you need experts for your commercial, domestic orindustrial construction project in Greater London, look no further and get intouch today.

To find outmore about our services, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at Link House, 49 TheobaldStreet, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 4RT. Alternatively, call us on 0208 2076100 or email us at info@simonlevy.net.