Can a home survey spot structural movement?
A home survey helps potential buyers identify any problems or future issues with a property they’re interested in. Conducted by a licensed RICS chartered surveyor, you’ll know about every crack, crevice and leaky tap there is. In the long run, this could save you thousands.
Structural movement, otherwise known as subsidence, is one of those scary terms. However, it affects a surprising number of homes throughout the UK, particularly around London. Before you purchase your new home, you want to know if it’ll be affected and, if so, what you should do about it.
A home survey will have no trouble spotting structural movement. This article contains everything you need to know.
What is structural movement?
Structural movement is another term for subsidence. It refers to when the ground underneath a property swells and contracts or otherwise shifts position.
The building foundations, therefore, also move. This has a knock-on effect on all the structural walls and the home as a whole, hence the term structural movement.
The property will typically lose support from the ground in one area. Although it should be strong enough to withstand leaning (apart from severe cases), extra stresses are applied to the rest of the home’s walls and structural components.
The most common cause of structural movement is heavy clay-content soil. When the clay absorbs water, it expands. It shrinks when the water evaporates. This means the ground is constantly moving slightly between seasons.
Other causes include:
- Tree roots (these also increase/decrease the amount of water in the soil)
- Foundation damage (such as tree roots or invasive pest plants like Japanese Knotweed)
- Old mine shafts
- Collapsed drains
- Cliff erosion
- Poorly laid/old (historic) foundations
Why is structural movement dangerous?
Structural movement’s real threat is the long-term strain on your home’s structural walls, roof and joints.
Imagine that your home is a box on a table, perfectly evenly supported at all four corners. Moving the box to the edge of the table so one corner hangs off throws the whole thing out of balance.
A home is, of course, much heavier than a box and much more rigidly constructed and held together. It won’t tip over. However, those same stresses and forces are transferring through the structure.
It puts a lot of strain on weak walls, joints and the mid-points of beams and joists. In most cases, this leads to cracks and damp problems, meaning you’ll spend a lot on maintenance. Allowed to progress for long enough without a maintenance plan, a property could end up with a partial collapse (in the most extreme conditions).
How can a home survey identify structural movement?
Home surveys involve a chartered surveyor inspecting a property you’re hoping to buy. After you submit your initial offer (but long before you exchange keys and legalise the deal), they’ll head out to the house or flat to thoroughly review it.
A chartered surveyor looks for several factors to establish whether a property suffers from structural movement. Here are a few of them. Keep an eye out when you view the property for the first time.
- Is the building in a subsidence hotspot? Local chartered surveyors will already know this, but it’s easy enough to look up online.
- Cracks are evident in the brickwork (outside) or plasterboard (inside). These cracks are visible evidence of the house’s imbalanced forces.
- Doors and windows are difficult to close or don’t fit properly. When initially installed, they should fit just right. As the frames and fascia shift with structural movement, they might get tighter. Note that this could be caused by other things, too, such as wood swelling due to damp.
When looking for a home survey, we’d recommend a RICS Home Survey Level 3. This is the most in-depth, focusing particularly on structural integrity.
Ask for GB Home Surveys’ help with structural movement
Our team of friendly chartered surveyors at GB Home Surveys loves to help. We’re based throughout the South-West, West Midlands and South Wales. If you’re considering moving to one of these areas, we’re sure to have an office nearby.
We hope this article has answered your questions about the importance of home surveys spotting structural movement (subsidence). If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our staff are always happy to have a chat (completely obligation-free).
Use the form below to get in touch or enquire about home surveys. We look forward to helping you with your relocation.
