We have just bought a new house after a long search. I wasn’t 100% sure about the house, husband persuaded me to put an offer in which was accepted.
Anyway, the house was built in 1960s/ 1970s. Sometime not long after this, an extension was built. It is built on a hillside.
When we viewed the property, I noticed that floor did not feel even in the upstairs hallway which was part of the extension. It was noticeably sloping and the bedroom and bathroom in that part of the house didn’t feel ‘right’ underfoot. I also noticed that the bathroom door was kept open by a stone.
We commissioned a surveyor to do a Home Buyers survey. We had initially asked him to do a structural survey but he said he’d do a home buyers first and then advise if that was necessary. I’m actually not sure if he does structural surveys?
Anyway the report came back stating that the house was structurally sound/ solid. It mentions that floor is ‘levelish’, but obviously nothing major was noted. I found the report reassuring as I thought obviously if I had noticed the sloping surely they would have mentioned it in the report. I still find it strange it wasn’t specifically mentioned as it is very obvious. I’m also annoyed because we specifically asked him about this and he didn’t respond, now kicking myself for not pushing more.
Since getting the keys, I’ve become extremely worried about this. We’ve been able to have a look ourselves with a spirit level and the floor and window sills in the small bedroom are sloping. To spirit level we used is (I think either 60cm or 80cm), and to bring it to level you need to pick it up and 1-2cm.
We have a friend who is in the trade and he thinks it is settlement from when the extension was first done. Which is good in that it means it’s hopefully not subsidence, but still leaves us with this issue of the sloping floors. The door frames look skeewiff too. The door in the bathroom was being held open with a stone because otherwise it slides shut. I’ve also just noticed this evening that another door upstairs is difficult to close. It’s along the same line as the sloping, although the spirit level seemed ok there so not sure if just crappy door (the whole place is rather shabby).
BTW the first floor part of this extension feels a bit sloppy too but not to the same extent as the first floor.
I’m really hoping someone might be able to provide me with some reassurance. Can we just level the floor? I have barely slept a wink and am so stressed. Please be kind, I am struggling.