Survey on a 1930s house - what sort of things are likely to come up? Common defects etc?

[Booooooo]

As above really. Selling our 1930s house which to me seems to be in good condition but I'm not a surveyor and have no building knowledge! Have been panicking reading about people pulling out / drastically dropping the price after surveys. There are a couple of cracks to brick work outside (ie. Really minor and would not be noticed unless really looked. We've had people inspect the property (builders and structural engineers over the 4 years that we've had the property) and they've all been happy that it's just part of the age of the property, to be expected and of no concern.

Anyway, I'm just trying to keep realistic about the whole thing and not expect everything to go swimmingly so wanted to be aware of things that might crop up...

Thanks

Damp.
Roof and chimney.
Signs of movement.

Very old wiring and plumbing. Ancient boiler.
But as you are selling you will know if this is a problem. When we bought our 1930s house it was apparent that stuff had been upgraded in the early 1960s and then nothing since as the same lady had lived there since then.
Not having double glazing? I know that’s obvious but it’s bizarre what people can nitpick about to try and reduce the price.

We have double glazing, new boiler, wiring fine. Timber work all good as re done by us. Decoration all fine and newish carpets (although I appreciate they may want to change this to their own taste.)

I guess it's just movement that concerns me. I'm hoping this is what people would expect from the age of the house...

A decent surveyor will say whether it's something to be expected or that rings alarm bells.

There is sometimes movement in the bricks above the front door, especially if the porch is arched. No idea why, but if you look at 1930s semis they’ve often been repointed in that area.

We are buying a 1930s house (moving day tomorrow!!!! ) Our survey picked up 'suspected movement' under the solid floors and we had to get a structural engineer out to give a report. It was totally clear and no structural issues at all. Historic movement/settlement is quite common but not a problem unless it's ongoing. It also mentioned that the (beautiful original) Windows are single glazed and will need maintenance, which we know.

Happy moving day @emsyj37 - how exciting!! Ps Your username sounds very familiar from when I used to go on youandyourwedding (many years ago!) were you on that?

Our 1930's house showed up- chimney needed repointed, some damp in the ground floor external wall, the fact that if you have traditional ceilings (ie with the bit of joist exposed and the sort of curved edge??) then if anyone buying wants to do the ceiling they will lose this feature or have to pay a lot more to preserve it (apparently?), asbestos possibility in ceilings. It was all pretty commonplace stuff, and largely depends on how much has already been done to the house.

Thanks! Haha Yes, I was on there years ago!!!

If you have bay windows the original frames were often structural. If they have been replaced with new window frames with inadequate support, there can be movement in the bays.

Damp
Movement
Pointing
Roof and chimney
Wall toes
Asbestos (especially garage)

Wall ties!!!!

What are wall ties?

I am no expert but I understand from around the 1920s most houses were built with cavity walls so 2 walls with a small gap between. Wall ties are little metal rods (kind of like sturdy tent pegs!!) that attached to both walls to provide strength / keep them from moving / not sure!! They're supposed to last a lifetime (well 100s of yrs) but they can corrode over time which can cause issues.

If the house has never been replumbed then the supply up to the house from the street is likely to be lead.

Thanks for all the responses 😀

A tiny crack you can barely see will not be anything major. You really would have noticed a big crack. You can go into your loft and look around for yourself. You would also know if there was damp or your drains are not working efficiently. You can easily check for pointing that’s poor, bricks blown and any roof tiles that are missing. You can visually see if the roof is sagging. You cannot easily check any wall ties but you can satisfy yourself about quite a lot so you don’t need to worry.

Do any of your houses have lath and plaster ceilings? Do they have cracks in them? Did they come up in surveys?

Issues due to the local geology/construction materials or mining, for example subsidence sue to clay in the London area or being built over old mine workings & mundic block in Cornwall.

Due to clay

Also dodgy diy and extensions by previous owners that don't conform to building regulations.

The problem I have is corner of ceiling in porch is dropping, anyone know if it's plasterboard or not and how it's fixed? I feel like pulling it away but don't know if it's stuck/nailed to battens/likely to crumble or pull something else away. There's a 9" dia light fitted centrally so is this a possible DIY if I turn power off first? Can't afford more than one tradesman and don't know where to start looking.

The problem I have is corner of porch ceiling is dropping and I feel like pulling it away to renew however does anyone know what material it's likely to be and will it crumble or pull other materials down? There's a 9" diameter light fitted centrally so I have to be careful it doesn't all crash down. Could it perhaps be plasterboard that is fixed onto wood strips?

We have a 1930s semi and things that have come up most people have mentioned.

• lead water supply pipes with narrow gauge (affects pressure)
• crack in drain pipe which I think caused a bit of subsidence - nothing major
• lathe and plaster ceilings falling down
• asbestos in vinyl floor (carpeted over top by previous owners), in ceiling of loft extension, and garage roof
• not great loft conversion with no building control docs. Done in 1980s and a bit wobbly. Insulation falling down behind walls, needed new felt on flat roof
• no insulation in roof eaves
• electrics and plumbing needed updating (but you are ok)
• blown plaster in walls

That's the main gist. Our porch ceiling is just plywood dizzydes.