RICS CHARTERED SURVEYORS IN DERBY

DERBY SURVEYORS FOR RICS HOMEBUYERS REPORTS STRUCTURAL AND BUILDING SURVEYS

DERBY SURVEYORS RICS HOME BUYERS SURVEYS STRUCTURAL AND BUILDING REPORTS

This building near to Derby had problems caused by the blocking up of a former coal drop and an absence of other underfloor vents. Poor ventialtion can cause cellars to become damp. Still air particualry encourages dry rot which had infested a timber door frame. Dry rot can extend far beyond a source of moisture putting other parts of the building which are dry at risk. If disturbed the fruits can expell millions of spores. The cellar also had a small plant growing on the wall which is probably wet rot. Beetles also like damp timber. Dust form their boring has been trappd by the cobwebs. The cellar also contained an open flued boiler which in an unventilated cellar would casue an extreme danger of carbon monoxide poisioning

Derby property structural survey and report on a 1910 semi detached house

This property has been constructed with a shared side path and side doors to reduce plot width saving land costs. The walls are solid and will be cold.

The property also has an angled ceiling in the annex again to reduce the expense of constructing full room height walls. The angle is unlikely to be insulated and will be cold and prone to condensation. It may be possible to push rigid insulation down from the roof void. Stuffing soft insulation into the angles should be avoided as it prevents ventilation encouraging condensation.

Our Derby property surveyors were unconcerned by a solider arch that had dropped as it was probably due to historic foundation movement and as the bricks drop they jamb tightly together thus repairing the arch.

Our property surveyors were much more concerned by a leaking downpipe as the water can easily soak through the solid walls. Large escapes of water can trigger dry rot decay.

Our property surveyors were also alerted by a missing chimney breast. Most pre WWII reception rooms have a chimney breast. The lack of one in this room may be indicated to our property surveyos that the first  floor attic chimney breast is no longer supported.