Floors not tied into walls

 

Do I need a structural survey?

This article has been written by a surveyor who has experience in carrying out structural surveys and building surveys together with specific defect reports covering anything from structural problems, to damp problems to thermal efficiency and we also carry out independent valuations.

If you have a property problem we may even already have written an article on it and we would refer you to the many articles we have on our home page 1stAssociated.co.uk. We use independent surveyors who are more than happy to chat. Please Free phone us on 0800 298 5424 and we will talk through your problem and explain the options to you.

Free phone 0800 298 5424

My wall is cracking and it doesn't look straight – what can the problem be?

We are getting more and more calls from people that are noticing cracking in their walls. These can range from anything from a hairline crack to a larger crack of a few millimetres. The general rule of thumb is to seek advice and to only panic if you can literally get your hand through the gap!

Different types of cracks


Is the crack the effect or is it the cause?

We would always recommend where there is cracking that a Building Surveyor or a Building Engineer is asked to look at the property as a whole as the crack can often be the effect rather than the cause.

Crack to gable wall

When we are carrying out structural surveys or building surveys as they are now known, we often think of the surveys as a 3D puzzle where we have to check everything to ensure that everything is in the right place. It is where elements have been missed or have been amended that problems can occur; this can range from everything from world war damage to extensions and alterations by ‘professional builders', to DIY type alterations.

If a building has been altered it can affect the structural stability of the building. Alterations can range from anything from replacement double glazed windows which don't have the same structural strength as the original windows to the removal of walls internally to make larger rooms without thought and adding in lintels. Sometimes a building can cope with one or two alterations and amendments particularly older buildings, sometimes it can't. It also depends upon the age, type and style of the building. All of these things need to be considered by the surveyor carrying out a structural survey.

 

Other articles that may be of interest

The following articles give further information related to this topic, but don't forget that we have written articles on many different areas of property:

Structural Cracking

How, in our experience, insurance companies deal with cracks in properties

Render problems and render cracking

Problems with cracking render

 

 

Bowing wall seen during the structural survey

It was during the course of a structural survey that we saw a bowing wall on a relatively old property which in itself didn't concern us on this particular age, type and style of property. The reason why it didn't concern us on this particular older property is we felt there is more than enough strength on it to hold this type of bowing or un-straight walls however as we pieced together the survey we realised that the reason for the bowing wall was not its age but because the gable end wall was not tied into the structure. Walls are tied into a structure by many elements; one of these is the floors.

 

Tie Bars

On older properties you may well see tie bars have been used where the lateral restraint or ties into the walls have deteriorated for whatever reason.

Tie bars

‘S' tie bar

Metal ties

 

Walls – a delicate structural balance

Walls on the external of a property are relatively thin and take support and their stability from the corners within the property and also from the way the structure ties the walls together. Key elements that tie a building together include floor joists and roof joists.

 

If you can imagine the framework of a building structure you should be able to see in your mind's eye the wall and the floor joists. These floor joists then have dual function, as well as being floors and ceilings, of tying the whole structure together.

Timber frame ceiling

When there is deterioration to the floor joists, for example, when they get damp, wet rot, dry rot or woodworm or when someone doesn't understand the structure and cuts joists away without adding in extra support, however there are also cases where there have been problems since day one and it is a very gradual movement process that takes place, that is until it gets to the tipping point when you start to get structural cracks within the property. A good example of this is where the floor joists have been put in in different ways and don't tie the structure together.

Damp to floor joists

 

Excessive floor deflection

One thing that a good surveyor will note as they carry out their building survey is possibly too much deflection in the floor as you get very used to the weight of your own body when carrying out lots of structural surveys. This deflection could then indicate many things. If for example the excessive deflection is just to the first floor this could be because walls have been removed or dampness has got into the end of the joists and started to rot it or it could be a combination of many things such as woodworm that has occurred. All of these type of things could result in cracking and bowing to the wall.

Excessive floor deflection to first floor

In some older properties there will be deflection both to the ground floor and the first floor. This then tends to be more a problem related to the joist sizes and the timber sizes and rotting to them or wet rot, dry rot or woodworm as well as other things. For example on the ground floor it could be a lack of ventilation under the floor and to the first floor it could be the removing and repositioning of a staircase for example.

Excessive floor deflection to ground and first floor

All of these things need to be considered when looking at why walls are bowing or not straight or cracking.

 

A little knowledge is dangerous

This article has only touched upon the various different possibilities of problems that can occur in properties. As you saw earlier within this article there are many other articles that we have written which we have referred you to. If you are at all concerned please call us on 0800 298 5424.

 

Independent Surveyors

If you truly do want an independent expert opinion from a building surveyor, we are happy to do valuations, building surveys, structural surveys, structural reports, engineers reports, specific defects reports, home buyers reports or any other property matters. Please contact us on 0 800 298 5424 to have a free of charge friendly chat with one of our surveyors.

We feel our surveys are quite unique, as they are specifically written 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. We 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.

 

Commercial Property

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!

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 please do not hesitate to contact us (we are only human).

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 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. 

building engineers

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

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