Sulphate attack - full lower floor replacement - anyone experienced this?

[RainySmallHands]

We are in the process of not buying a house and have just had the Homebuyer's Report back. Apart from the lead pipes, asbestos and unsupported first floor bay window we have been told that there is some bowing to the ground floor floors. This may be due to a sulphate attack on the concrete foundations, causing it to degrade, move and damage the floors (?). House was built around 1892...

The surveyor has suggested we get a full report before going ahead with the purchase as full replacement of the floors would be a) extremely destructive; b) take about a month; and c) cost around £10k

Anyone have any experience of this? Was it as bad as it sounds? Aaargh! Why is nothing ever simple?!

is that what is sometimes referred to as 'concrete cancer' do you know?

Not sure, croissant. According to wiki, concrete cancer is a generic term for concrete failure.

Concrete cancer often refers to rusting of reinforcing bars inside the concrete, causing it to split. Sulphate attack is the migration of sulphates into the concrete causing it to expand. It can only be resolved by removing the concrete and replacing it. If the concrete is in the foundations that's an expensive job.

Are you sure it has concrete foundations? I've lived in a number of houses of similar age and none of them have had concrete foundations. Actually they haven't had any foundations at all.

If the floors are bowing you need to know why, even if it isn't sulphate attack, so a survey is a good idea.