We here at WJ Surveying understand that buying a house will be one of the biggest decisions you ever make in your life. We also understand how daunting the process can be, so here are some helpful tips for what to look out for when viewing your future home.
Septic Tanks
If you are buying a stand alone property there is a high probability it will have a septic tank. In its most recent findings, the EPA in Ireland found that 49 percent of all septic tanks it tested in 2022 failed to meet their standards. They can be very costly to repair or replace and in some cases planning permission will be required to bring them up to standard which can be time consuming and expensive.
You need to look out for:
A) Signs of leaks near the septic tank.
B) Presence of rushes and ponding.
C) Excessive flies
D) Evidence of vermin
Roof
The roof is obviously a hugely important part of the house and while there is only so much you can inspect from the ground there are things to keep in mind:
A) The type of roof cover: natural slates, synthetic slates or concrete roof tiles, they would all have different life spans that could indicate when they need to be replaced.
B) Missing slates/tiles: This could lead to water ingress and cause major problems in the house if it is not repaired.
C) Condition of the Fascia & Soffit: missing or broken pieces could lead to water ingress into you home.
D) Down pipes: All down pipes should be secured to the wall and be draining into a gully.
Chimney
The chimney is another area that it is difficult to fully examine from the ground but it is worth keeping your eyes peeled for the following:
A) Cracks: Cracks on the chimney are fairly common and depending on the size of them are not something to be overly concerned about. However any cracks over 5mm should be investigated further.
B) Lead flashing around the chimney in poor state: Again this is very common especially in houses over 20 years old as the lead starts to become porous and allows rain water in through it.
Attic
If you can gain access to the attic when viewing the property check for the following:
A) The state of the roofing timbers: do they look discoloured or contain traces of woodworm.
B) Is there insulation in the attic: 400mm is the minimum standard that should be present.
C) Evidence of damp or mould especially around the chimney.
Those are just some of the things to keep in mind when going to view your future home. We wish you the best of luck with you search and when you find ‘the one’.
Feel free to contact us here at WJ Surveying to arrange a pre-purchase survey