Checking Subsidence Signs
Subsidence is one of the most important problems to look for before you purchase a property. This issue can be hugely expensive to repair and could potentially require the building to be demolished. When you get a Home Buyer Report or a building survey, the surveyor should always check for signs of subsidence, including inspecting any cracks. If the structure is subsiding, it is crucial to know exactly what you will be getting into if you go ahead with the purchase.
Finding cracks in a property can be alarming, but it is not always an indication of subsidence. In the best cases they are caused by settlement, or the compression of the soil beneath the property. This generally occurs after construction and the ground will eventually stabilise once the soils are suitably compacted. The movement is classed as subsidence when it is caused by reasons other than this natural compaction of the soil, such as the presence of voids, sub-soil disturbances and when the structure is built on tipped materials.
If your building surveyor indicates that cracks could be caused by subsidence, you may need to arrange to monitor the property for a period of time to make sure the problem is not ongoing and that cracks aren’t growing at a rapid rate. If this is happening, it is likely that major repairs are needed on the property.
At Patterson Francis and Associates we can provide you with a highly trained building surveyor to inspect your Reading property. Our building surveyors are fully qualified and will provide you with the information you need to buy property with confidence.
When we deliver our report on the condition of a property, we will highlight any repairs we feel are urgent. When it comes to subsidence, we will provide an estimate of the repair cost so you can get an idea of how much you will need to invest to correct the problem. You can then factor this into your offer if you do want to go ahead with the purchase. If you have any questions about subsidence or would like to arrange a survey please contact us.
