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structural survey

  • 18-11-2014 9:14pm
    #1
    mullinr2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 627 ✭✭✭


    We have gone sale agreed on a house built in late 1970s. From the first viewing the house looked fine but I've viewed it twice more and have found a few exterior and interior cracks. We will be getting a survey but if there are any engineers that view this, how serious are cracks in houses? There's a few vertical and horizontal cracks. I'll try and post a few pics. I also checked the footpath around the house. It doesn't seem to be separating from the house, therefore im hopeful that the cracks are not foundational.


Comments

  • #2
    duckcfc
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 616 ✭✭✭duckcfc


    There few cracks in my own house but I was told they are nothing to worry about. I've even got one that's a hairline crack from top to bottom of an interior wall. I've called my engineer out twice and he's reassured me it settling cracks. Some blocks can crack with the weight of the roof if not cured properly ive read, think it even shows you in the homebond books.

    Yours could be the same or possibly foundation problems! Only an engineer could tell you and that's after doing some digging up. The horizontal crack could be just a bad mix of sand/cement.


  • #3
    Pullover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24 ✭Pullover


    I'm pretty sure once you go sale agreed, the actual sale of the house is dependent on the results of the valuation & survey you get done.You can decide then to pull out and still get your deposit back.
    That's what I've been told by an estate agent however you still should ask yours... Just is case!


  • #4
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    mullinr2 wrote: »
    We will be getting a survey but if there are any engineers that view
    only a site survey will decide.


  • #5
    mullinr2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 627 ✭✭✭mullinr2


    BryanF wrote: »
    only a site survey will decide.

    How much for one of them?


  • #6
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    mullinr2 wrote: »
    How much for one of them?

    Ring 3 engineers/surveyors and ask


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  • #7
    ArraMusha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 589 ✭✭✭ArraMusha


    Minor hairline cracks or cracks around the window cills are fine as they are associated with settling of the house.
    However one of the image has a significant horizontal crack that looks more serious.
    If it was me I'd take the cost of repairing these items out of your agreed sale price. A good structural eng and/or quantity surveyor will give you advice and a price to fix.


  • #8
    duckcfc
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 616 ✭✭✭duckcfc


    ArraMusha wrote: »
    Minor hairline cracks or cracks around the window cills are fine as they are associated with settling of the house.
    However one of the image has a significant horizontal crack that looks more serious.
    If it was me I'd take the cost of repairing these items out of your agreed sale price. A good structural eng and/or quantity surveyor will give you advice and a price to fix.


    What about a hairline crack running right down a structural wall. It hasn't got bigger in 5 years but appears again a year after painting.


  • #9
    ArraMusha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 589 ✭✭✭ArraMusha


    duckcfc wrote: »
    What about a hairline crack running right down a structural wall. It hasn't got bigger in 5 years but appears again a year after painting.

    As you say 'running down' I presume this is a vertical crack. If its located around a lintel or window cill, its probably a settling crack.
    A lot depends on the size, and if you say it appears again a year after painting, it may be more serious.


  • #10
    nnicl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1 ✭nnicl


    We bought a house recently and it has heaps of cracks, i didnt notice them though the surveyor had mentioned them in the report, he said they were cosmetic plaster cracks due to settlement. Howver now we are living here im beginning to think there is a bigger problem possibly water in foundation as there is terrible condensation and more horizontal cracks appearing about a foot from the bottom of the outside wall, along the first line of blocks id say. make sure your surveyor has a good investigation for you, should be easier during winter when the cold and wet will be making a clear impact.


  • #11
    duckcfc
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 616 ✭✭✭duckcfc


    ArraMusha wrote: »
    As you say 'running down' I presume this is a vertical crack. If its located around a lintel or window cill, its probably a settling crack.
    A lot depends on the size, and if you say it appears again a year after painting, it may be more serious.


    How can one tell if its serious or not. If its foundations can't they just settle and if its roof, that might just be a slight problem but settled.


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  • #12
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    duckcfc wrote: »
    How can one tell if its serious or not. If its foundations can't they just settle and if its roof, that might just be a slight problem but settled.
    you get a structural engineer


  • #13
    duckcfc
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 616 ✭✭✭duckcfc


    BryanF wrote: »
    you get a structural engineer

    Its just a hairline crack thou. I think that would be waste money thou insaying that, how much is it to get a structural survey. Might just get one done in the new year.


  • #14
    RORY O CONNOR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 270 ✭✭RORY O CONNOR


    nnicl wrote: »
    We bought a house recently and it has heaps of cracks, i didnt notice them though the surveyor had mentioned them in the report, he said they were cosmetic plaster cracks due to settlement. Howver now we are living here im beginning to think there is a bigger problem possibly water in foundation as there is terrible condensation and more horizontal cracks appearing about a foot from the bottom of the outside wall, along the first line of blocks id say. make sure your surveyor has a good investigation for you, should be easier during winter when the cold and wet will be making a clear impact.

    The condensation is most likely due to too much water vapour in the house-do you open the windows to change the air in the house? Possibly a lack of insulation so you will get black mould on the walls. Horizontal cracks a foot from the bottom of the wall-DPC level-could just be the DPC appearing. Is your development a Pyrite one?


  • #15
    RORY O CONNOR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 270 ✭✭RORY O CONNOR


    Those cracks are not those typically found with Pyrite. I would day some settlement. The cracks on the ceilings are at joints in the plasterboard so nothing to worry about there. The cracks at the wall ceiling junction might be the timber frame shrinking/expanding.

    If in doubt get an engineer who is experienced in inspecting property affected by Pyrite to do a survey for you. There is a list of suitable approved engineers on Engineers Ireland website.

    If you are with Homebond they will not help you. If the builder is solvent you might have to take him to court.


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