building valuations

 

Buying a new house and home, is the

heating system working and are the

building services

in good condition?

 

If you are buying a property an Independent expert Building Surveyor can help you and give advice with regard to building surveys, structural surveys, engineers reports, independent valuations, specific defects report relating to issues such as dampness, building disputes or any other property matters please free phone 0800 298 5424 for a friendly chat with one of our surveyors. We would like to meet you at the property during the survey and are more than happy to talk about the report and discuss any concerns you may have.

Thermal image of a property

Free phone 0800 298 5424

Looking at heating systems from approximately the 1970's onwards

This is one of several articles we have written about how our homes and houses are heated. This particular article looks at things such as warm air heating, hot water cylinders and insulation in the roof.

Heat loss in a property

 

Please also take a look at this article below that covers traditional heating such as real fires through to modern radiators:-

Do Independent Building Surveyors look at the heating system and services during a Structural Survey?  

A house can lose heat through a poorly insulated roof

 

Why should you have a

Building Survey?

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 as he has only been commissioned to sell the house.

Sketch of a typical house

 

Heating system and a Building Survey

This article gives a general look at different heating systems. If you do not find the information you are looking for then please have a look at some of the other articles we have carried out. We believe we have carried out articles on most types of heating systems over the years. We have included some links to other property articles within this article or you can go to our 1stAssociated.co.uk home page where you will find an index of different articles if you scroll down the page.

 

Warm air heating

This is a system that we come across from time to time. Some people like this system whereas others do not. One of the problems with this system is often asbestos sheeting was used during this era and this can be a problem.

Boiler system for the warm air heating

 

Grill for the warm air heating system transfers the warm air around via ducts which are often Asbestos

 

Here is an example of a warm air heating system

There are tell-tale signs externally such as vents to the ridge of the roof.

This looks like a perfectly normal house from the outside but if you know what you are looking for you can see the vents in the roof

Vent in the roof

Internally you can see the warm air heating system, this looks similar to the system in the previous photos. There are also air vents at high level. Sometimes these can be found above doors.

Warm air heating unit

Vent in the ceiling

There is a lot of ventilation pipe work hidden within the roof.

Vent pipes in the roof to feed the different rooms

Vent pipes covered in insulation

Duct work leading to the roof

There are also pipes that can be seen in cupboards in the property.

Factory lagged hot water cylinder. in the airing cupboard. Above this is the ductwork for the warm air heating system

Ductwork for warm air heating system

 

Heated skirting boards

A concept that was seen in the 1960's and 1970's and that is still used today is heating via the skirting boards. This gives the advantage of not having radiators taking up space on the walls especially as many people also consider radiators to be ugly. We recently carried out a survey where the property had heated skirting boards.

This skirting board is heated

This is what it looks like with a thermal imaging camera

 

Heating systems are not just about heating the rooms they heat the hot water as well

The photo shows an original type of water heater found in a Victorian property. There are now modern equivalents. Today modern electric water heaters are still very popular with their capacity to heat very quickly whereas older ones tend to not be as efficient. There are various models by manufacturers such as Triton, Mira, Bristan and Aqualisa.

Very old Victorian water heater

 

Hot water cylinders

There are also various cylinder systems, which have improved over the years, and provide hot water throughout the house. These are not as popular as they once were with boiler systems now offering instantaneous hot water.

An older style cylinder with a loose insulation jacket

 

Factory Insulated Cylinder

Modern version of the hot water cylinder known by the trade name of Megaflow which is a sealed unit tank and is very popular

 

Airing Cupboard

One of the unseen advantages of having a hot water cylinder is having an airing cupboard that allows clothes to be dried or aired within the airing cupboard rather than on radiators (which can cause all sorts of problems with condensation).

Airing cupboard

 

Ten minute heat test

Whilst we are carrying out structural surveys and buildings surveys we always comment on the heating of the property as it is so important. In fact we do something that, as far as we aware, no other Structural Surveyors do and carry out a ten minute test of the heating. This is very simple we literally have the occupier turn the heating on to see how warm it gets in ten minutes.

 

It's no use having efficient heating if you do not insulate and ventilate properly

During our structural surveys we still come across roofs that are not insulated or have very little insulation.

No insulation in roof space

 

Some people seem to buy too much insulation.

We do not know if people get carried away when they are insulating their roof or simply do not think to measure the roof before they buy the insulation. We often come across rolls of insulation left in roofs.

Our other concern is where over insulated roofs have a lack of ventilation.

 

Too much insulation in the roof space

 

Ventilation is needed for heavily insulated roofs

In the photographs below the venting pipe from a shower has been damaged and is allowing humidity to transfer into the room.

 

Damaged venting pipe from a shower

 

 

Damaged venting pipe

Here are some other surveying articles that we hope will help you in buying a property

Building Surveys, also known as Structural Surveys

Selling your historic Victorian House and Home

Thermal Efficiency in Georgian and Regency Houses

 

Independent Building Surveyors with Thermal Image Cameras

Yes we do have thermal imagers and yes it can be dangerous for Surveyors using thermal imagers if they do not have enough experience working with them. We have developed knowledge of thermal imaging cameras over the many years we have now worked with them. We have even given lectures about them at universities

The photos below were taken during a building survey of a house with reasonable insulation.

 

Photo taken during one of our surveys of a property with reasonable insulation

 

Thermal image shows heat coming out of the chimney and an upstairs window

 

Other things we have noticed whilst using our Thermal Imaging Camera, just for fun!

Electric pylon

Viewed via a thermal imaging camera

 

We noticed how warm trees are?

Tree

Thermal image of a tree

 

Independent Surveyors

If you truly do want an independent expert opinion from a Building Surveyor with regard to structural surveys, building surveys, structural reports, engineers reports, specific defects report, dilapidations or any other property matters please contact 0800 298 5424 and we will call you back.

 

What do the ovals or circles in our building surveys mean?

We utilise a system of ovals and circles within our structural surveys and building surveys to highlight problem areas so that you are not left wondering what the problem is.

 

 

 

Radiator under window helps air movement in the room

 

Our Good, Bad & Ugly surveys!

If you are in the process of buying a new home we would like to tell you about what we call our good, bad and ugly survey. This is a Building Survey also sometimes known as a structural survey. We have developed this over many years, in fact several decades. We have listened to feedback from our clients and amended and altered our surveys to make them easy to read and describe issues clearly. The key factor we believe is our Independent Surveys are easy to understand and written in plain English.

 

Examples of our surveys

If you would like to see some examples of our building surveys we are more than happy to send you these via email. The surveys contain photos, sketches and definitions that help to explain the specific problems that we find within the property.

 

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

The contents of the web site are for general information only and are 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    

 

 

 

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