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What makes us different
RICS-qualified surveyors
Professional property experts trained to detect hidden structural defects, damp, and material hazards accurately.
3- to 5-day reports
Prompt written documentation delivered shortly after inspection to keep your property purchase moving forward.
Free follow-up call
Complementary phone consultation to review findings, answer questions, and discuss potential repairs clearly.
RICS property inspections from Chassen House Building Surveyors, Manchester
Throughout our 15 years of experience, we at Chassen House Building Surveyors have seen many things during our property inspections. Here you can find some of the more common problems we find on-site. We do not provide you with this information to scare you but to give you an indication of common issues found during property surveys. After all, just because you have seen a crack in a wall, this does not mean that the building is going to fall down. If you have any worries about a property you are potentially looking to buy or your current property, get in touch with us to arrange a professional home survey.
Property damp
This is one of the most common issues we find with properties when conducting surveys. Especially common in older buildings. Damp can be difficult and costly to get rid of. Some signs of damp problems can include condensation on interior walls and visible damp or mould patches, which will appear black in nature. This mould can be detrimental to anyone's health, so it is quite important to get this looked into properly.
Leaking gutters
If you are buying a property and you notice guttering in poor condition or potentially blocked, this could be an area of concern and ideally should be checked. Broken, blocked or leaking gutters can lead to property damage. An ingress of damp, masonry damage and general integrity of a property’s structure, if left unresolved, can be a concern.
Painted exterior walls
Painted walls, if not done correctly with the right materials or if poorly maintained, can result in numerous problems. Cracked paint can trap moisture, causing damp and further damage to the paint and walls. When the wrong type of paint or even render is used, this can cause damp internally, allowing or trapping moisture. One visible sign of this is mould or visible damp patches; however, this isn't always the case, and to the naked eye the problem may not be evident without the right equipment.
Property cracks and subsidence
All properties have to satisfy building principles to ensure the property does not falter when it is built or in use. We will assess the property for any potential failings. Some of the signs we look out for include:
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Sagging roofs
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Visible cracks in brickwork
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Uneven flooring
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Leaning of external walls
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed is a plant which originated in Asia and found its way to the UK. As it has no natural predators here, it can rapidly outperform other native species. This plant is known to grow very rapidly and is a survivor with the ability to regrow from tiny cuttings of around 2mm. There are specialist companies who deal with the eradication of this plant, and mortgage lenders may hold back funds until proof or insurance is in place to confirm this.
Asbestos checking
Asbestos was used widely across the UK in the building industry before the year 2000. It is now well known to be a major health risk, so much so that only specialist and licensed companies are allowed to deal with the removal of this construction material. If you are concerned about a property that was constructed before the year 2000, it is always good advice to get it checked for asbestos.
