J P Baldwin Associates
Tel: 01803 311888 email: enquiries@jpbaldwinassociates.co.uk
Many people aspire to live in the beautiful
Whilst nothing should replace an inspection by a chartered surveyor, there are some more common problems that you can look out for yourself when viewing your potential new home.
· When small metal clips (called tingles) are seen supporting roof slates this can mean that the nails holding the slates to timber battens are rusting and snapping which is usually caused by condensation problems in the roof space.
· Sloping architraves above internal doors normally implies movement but only a professional will be able to tell you if it is historic or current as all properties move over a period of time. It’s the degree of movement that is important.
· New double glazing should be covered by a FENSA certificate which is a guarantee for ten years.
· Misty cavities inside double glazing probably means that the seals have failed which causes the harmless gas Argon to escape. Argon prevents the build up of condensation within glass cavities. If the double glazing is less than ten years old there may be a FENSA guarantee.
· Vegetation at ground level below gutters can indicate that the gutter above has been leaking, either because it is blocked or broken. Gutters that have been leaking for a long time can cause foundation movement.
· Beetle infestation is quite common and is sometimes difficult to detect if it is dormant or active. You could ask the vendor if he has had any timber treatment carried out in the past and particularly if the guarantee is insurance backed.
· Damp and musty smells in the house may mean problems with damp or that there has been a lack of ventilation – check that double glazed windows have trickle vents to the top of the window and that they are open. A surveyor will use an electronic damp meter to check moisture levels to internal walls.
None of the above problems are insurmountable and a property professional can advise you on what needs to be done to put things right (for an extra charge they will even tell you how much that is likely to cost – particularly helpful if you are going to refurbish a property). So for your own peace of mind you should always have a survey carried out by a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and preferably one who knows the local area and can guide you in the purchase of your dream home.