We have just had a structural survey done on a Victorian house we want to buy. It is on the west coast, close to a beach. The survey results are frightening and we really need some advice. The survey includes the following concerns:
Main house: Internal walls around a front window shows signs of damp, most likely penetrating damp (wall faces west wind at Atlantic coast)
On the east wing, the purlin running east/west is substantially perished, requires re-enforcement and bracing, or replacement.
At corner...the valley support board appears perished from wet rot and will require replacement/repairs.
Walls: cracks in sand/cementbrender to walls, not apparent whether these extend to structure beneath. Cracks are all slight expect one, which is up to 2mm. Cracks are probably insignificant. care should be taken to seal as they allow water ingress into structure. Cracking in rear chimneystack, could be caused by thermal expansion of flue.
Lots of cracks in walls due to: sttelement/movement/shrinkage
Not the main house, but apartment built at rear of building: horizontal & vertical cracking and bulging in rear wall - wall bulges out by up to 50mm. The soffit is missing on this part of the wall, exposing roof timbers to water ingress. this area should have ventilated soffit. The gap between the stone cladding and wall at the north end should be made good. the slab roofing at the north end should be re-pointed