building valuations

 

Cracks in Brickwork

 

If you need help and advice with regard to independent property surveys, building surveys, structural reports, engineers reports, specific defects report, structural surveys, independent valuations home buyers reports or any other property matters please free phone 0800 298 5424.

 

Meet the building surveyor at the property

If you have the time available and can get to the property whilst the survey is being carried out ours surveyors will be more than happy to talk to you about any concerns and possible problems that you think the property may have together with any potential alterations and improvements that you may be looking to carry out to the property. We will, of course, be happy to speak to you about the survey report once it has been completed. Please free phone 0800 298 5424 for a friendly chat with one of our surveyors.

 

Cracks to Brickwork

Cracks are one of the key things that we are asked to look out for when carrying out a building survey or structural survey, ranging from hairline cracks through bricks to structural cracks caused by movement.

 

Large or small cracks can all be a problem

It is not about the size of the crack in a property, it is about the cause. We once heard it said that you should only be concerned about a crack if you can get your hand through it. Obviously as a Building Surveyor we can't agree with this. Please read on to find out more.

Large crack

Hairline cracking through bricks

 

We use lots of sketches and photos in our building surveys

As you can see from this article we use lots of sketches and photos in our reports as the feedback we have from our clients is that the sketches and photos help them understand the reports.

 

Free phone 0800 298 5424

 

Cracks and Movement in Brickwork

Cracks can identify movement in a property. During a survey we would endeavour to establish why the movement has occurred which may be due to many reasons such as an extension being added giving additional weight to the building, the addition of new window openings which could reduce stability, trees nearby or water discharging into the area.

Different types of cracks

 

Monitor cracking

The only true way to confirm whether the movement is progressive is to carry out a monitoring exercise, which would normally take a year and should be carried out by your insurance company . As soon as you identify signs of movement we would recommend that you advise the insurance company who will carry out monitoring of the cracking. This will mean it will limit any future liability to the insurance excess. If you are buying a property with cracks we would recommend that the existing owner places an insurance claim and you then can continue on with their insurance policy.

Cracking between original building and extension

 

Old historic cracking – but how do you tell the difference?

Cracking on the mortar joint – is this OK?

Stepped cracking – what does this mean?

 

What do the red circles mean?

The red circles are a system that we used within our structural surveys, building surveys and schedules of condition to highlight problem areas so that you are not left wondering what the problem is. In addition to this if the photographs do not, we believe, explain the problem enough together with our survey report we also add in one of our own sketches.

 

Other articles that may be of interest

We have written many surveying articles, you may find the following articles useful :

Damp Proof Courses and Modern Property

Cavity Wall Problems

Victorian and Edwardian properties and their common problems

Cowboy Builders

Deteriorating brickwork cement re-pointing

 

Movement from settlement, heave or subsidence

The cause of the movement and the cracking can be settlement heave or subsidence which would result in having to underpin the property.

 

Underpinning

Most people would be put off purchasing a property where underpinning has taken place however we would comment that underpinning is a popular way of resolving problems in clay areas particularly where there are trees and/or underground water in the area.

116 Concrete underpinning

Concrete underpinning

 

You need to ensure that you are happy to buy a property with this characteristic and that when you come to sell it may affect the value. We personally do not recommend large amounts of underpinning on older properties which was common in years gone by as the extra weight can cause equal stress and strain on the property and ironically cause further problems.
116a Concrete underpinning_section

Mass concrete underpinning


Underpinning – Your Legal Advisor should check

Prior to purchasing a property which has been underpinned we would recommend your legal advisor checks what information is available in relation to the underpinning.

In addition to this we would say that when a property has been underpinned it simply doesn't have the same value as a property that hasn't been underpinned.

 

Tie Bars

Tie bars are normally added where the lateral restraint from the floor joists has given way and bulging or movement in the property has occurred. Tie bars are used to pull the property back together.

Loadbearing wall and floor bracing

 

DSC08095
DSC06305

Tie bar in brick wall

Tie in stone wall

 

DSC08389
DSC08308

Internal tie bar on left hand side

Tie bar rod viewed internally that restrains the property

 

In the photograph above you can see support is taken from the central spine beam.

Spine beam defined

This is the thicker central timber.

 

If you are buying a property that has had structural alterations such as tie bars we would recommend that you do not proceed unless the Structural Engineer will put in writing that the structural alterations have been carried out to his approval. Factors such as internal decoration and external vegetation can cover structural alterations that have been made to the inexperienced but should be picked up by a Surveyor.

 

Why have an independent building survey?

Always have an independent building survey as this will highlight any property problems. Caveat emptor means buyer beware and is why you need to have a building survey to find out if there are any problems within the property; the estate agent certainly will not advise you of any.

Remember the building Surveyor that you employ will be the only person working for you with your interests at heart.

 

Independent Surveyors

If you truly do want an independent expert opinion from a building surveyor, we are happy to carry out valuations, building surveys, structural surveys, structural reports, engineer's reports, specific defects reports, home buyers reports or any other property matters. Please ring free phone 0 800 298 5424 for a friendly chat with one of our surveyors.

We feel our surveys are quite unique, as they are written by our surveyors to your level of knowledge. The surveys include photos and sketches and definitions. The survey will also include an action required section and an estimate of costs in the executive summary. Our surveyors are more than happy to meet you at the property whilst carrying out the survey to discuss any specific issues you may have or have a general chat about what we have found at the end of the survey.

 

Example surveys

If you require a Building Survey or a Structural Survey on a home, house or commercial property we believe as Building Surveyors we have a wealth of experience and expertise that we can utilise to help you.

We are more than happy to send you examples of our Surveys that we have carried out on similar properties to yours and pretty much have always carried out a survey on similar property to the one that you are looking at although we do appreciate that all properties are unique.

We really believe that you should see what you are getting in the form of an example Survey before you purchase a property. What is more is that we are so confident with our higher than average standards that we believe that there is no other comparable survey available in the UK property and surveying market.

 

Commercial Property

We do come across from time to time commercial properties that have been built with a timber frame, particularly on older shops. If you are looking for commercial property, whether it is freehold or leasehold, we would recommend a survey as this will prevent dilapidations claims in the long run. You may wish to look at our Dilapidations Website at www.DilapsHelp.com and for Disputes go to our Disputes Help site www.DisputesHelp.com , both of which we have been advised are very helpful!

 

Surveying articles

We hope you found the article of use and if you have any experiences that you feel should be added to this article that would benefit others, or you feel that some of the information that we have put is wrong then we would be pleased to hear from you.

The contents of the web site are for general information only and is not intended to be relied upon for specific or general decisions. Appropriate independent professional advice should be paid for before making such a decision.

 

All rights reserved by 1stAssociated.co.uk

All rights are reserved the contents of the web site is not to be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or part without the express written permission of www.1stAssociated.co.uk. 

 

Free phone 0800 298 5424

 

 

 

 

Home Buyers Reports Property Surveys - why we're the best. Engineers Reports
© Copyright 1stAssociated.co.uk
Site Map

1stassociated-logo-for-footer IVSA-badge IVSA-putting-client-first call-us-for-footer

We have thousands of free property articles to help you - or call us freephone on 0800 298 5424

We have been working in the property industry for many years and have been
providing free property articles for over ten years. All for free and to help you with buying your next property.

House and Home Surveys and Useful Information

All you need to know about Building Surveys

Building Control, what do they do?

Designers and Architects will they save me money or will they cost me money

Enviroment, Your Building and Garden Gnomes

Estate Agents help sell houses and work for the vendors

Have a Structural Survey to protect you against structural problems

Home improvements, builder problems and ideas for you on how to solve them

How a Surveyor values a property, Chartered Surveyors and Regulated Valuers

How Chartered Engineers and Building Engineers can help you

Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

NHBC National House Building Council

Structural Surveys and How We Can Help You

Traditional and Non-Traditional Houses and Mortgage Problems

Valuations and how much is the building worth?

Whats the difference between a Chartered Building Surveyor, Chartered Surveyor and an Independent Surveyor

Useful property problem articles by Chartered Surveyors explaining building issues to avoid

External - Helpful information on building problems on the outside of the property

Chimney issues and problems

Cracking and Movement Problems and Surveying Solutions

Flat Roof Problems, how we can solve them

Foundations and Structures and Settlement and Subsidence and Underpinning

Pitched Roofs Problems and Solutions

Roof Problems

Wall Problems

Windows and Doors and Fascias and Soffits and Wet Rot and Dry Rot and other problems

Internal - House problems we have investigated inside

All you ever need to know about floors

Asbestos in your home, what you need to know

Ceiling Cracks and Structural Problems

Condensation, Damp and Black Mould Problems

Cracking and Movement Problems and Surveying Solutions

Windows and Doors and Fascias and Soffits and Wet Rot and Dry Rot and other problems

Woodworm is it a problem or not? Is it active or not?

Services - Building help and advice on costly services

Drainage, what's underground can affect what's above ground

Heating; I just can't get my house warm enough or alternatively I just can't get my house cool enough

You can't mess around with the electric, you need an expert

 

Commercial Property Services

Building Terms Explained and Directories

Commercial Property Surveys

Commercial Structural Surveys

Leisure Facilites

Offices Large and Small

Shops and Retail

Warehouse and Industrial Buildings

Dilapidations Help and Advice What is a Dilapidations Notice?

A Beginner's Guide to Dilaps

Damp Mould and Condensation

Dampness Rising Damp Mould Black Mould Condensation

Dilapidations and Negotiations

Dilapidations Claim by a Landlord

Energy Saving what can I do?

Finance what is a Financial Adviser (We are not Financial Advisors)

Fire Risk and Help

Health and Safety Risks

Insurance how do I get the correct property insurance?

Landlords Surveying Advice

Property Investment how can I invest in property?

Property TV Reviews by an Independent Surveyor

Schedules of Condition Leasing a Commercial Property

Scotts Schedule and Section 18 Valuation

Tenants Surveying Advice

Weather how does weather affect my property?

Flooding

Rain

Snow and Ice

Strong Winds

Reviews from clients on Commercial Building Surveys

Churches and Charities, helpful reviews from our clients

Industrial Buildings and Warehouses and what our clients say about us

Offices Large and Small, reviews and feedback from our clients

Pubs, Restaurants, Hotels and other Leisure facilities we have surveyed over the years

Shops and Retail, helpful reviews from our clients

 

First Time Buyers

Buying a Leasehold or Shared Freehold Home

Buying and Selling Houses for the experienced house and home purchaser

First Time Buyers how do I go about buying my first house and home?

Improve your property knowledge with our presentations on house, homes and commercial property

Building Surveys

Building Surveying Useful Information

Dilapidations

Dilapidations Presentations in Detail

Final Year Building Surveying Exams for University Students or those that would like to know more

How old is your Building? Which era was it built in?

Party Walls

Surveyors and Design Tools

Disputes and Party Walls

Boundary Disputes

Building and Property Disputes

Party Wall Book Reviews

Party Walls Your Rights and Responsibilities

1stAssociated Surveyors Review for Structural Surveys and Building Surveys

Building Surveys, reviews and feedback from satisfied customers

Buy to let property clients, what they say about our structural surveys

Buying at auction, review of the survey

Buying bungalows and retirement properties and how our surveyors can help

Both at work / busy couples, how we can help and some 1stAssociated client reviews

Families with a young person flying the nest, reviews and feedback

First Time Buyers, what they say about us

Listed buildings, structural surveys

Older buildings, a review of buying an older house

Families with children looking for a new home, feedback and reviews

Buying a Non-Traditional Property

Residential Surveys

House and Home Surveys

Commercial Building Surveys

Commercial Surveys

1st Associated Surveyors Are Also Available in the Following Areas:

East Anglia and East

South and South East

West Country and South West

Midlands

North and North East

 

London

London Markets

London Parks

 

Wales

Areas of Britain

1stAssociated Independent Expert Property Surveyors

Specialists in Home Buyers Reports, Building Surveys and Structural Surveys and Schedules of Condition

All Surveyors are Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors qualified and RICS regulated

and are Members of the Independent Surveyors and Valuers Association

Putting the Client First

We do not accept service of documents by email or fax