A buyer’s surveyor contacted SERL due to concerns about the unusual stepping in the brickwork on the rear wall of an extension. Our reputation for expertise in period property surveys and impartiality in this field prompted the endorsement.
The client required our expertise in structural engineering reports, particularly for period residential properties in East London. They requested a detailed report to ensure peace of mind and to meet the requirements of their lender.
In response to the client’s requirements our qualified Chartered Structural Engineer recommended a Specific Structural Inspection report.
SERL offers two types of structural reports:
1) A localised, specific, and limited Specific Structural Inspection (SSI) report or a Structural Engineers Defect Report.
2) A broader General Structural Inspection Report (GSI) or Structural Engineers General Movement Report which focuses only on matters of cracking and movement.
The property was a typical late Victorian mid-terrace family home, featuring solid brick external walls and suspended timber floors and roof structures.
The foundations were likely to be quite simple, as the area is characterised by Hackney Gravel, which is generally strong and stable. This type of soil profile is not prone to the usual seasonal movements as seen with London Clay during long periods of drought.
Viewed from the rear, a step was observed in the rear elevation of the extension, next to the left-hand party wall.
It was evident that the rear wall of the property had been rebuilt to be plumb and vertical. The step in the brickwork occurred where this newly reconstructed vertical wall met the neighbouring wall, which had a natural curve and misalignment.
Properties over a century old are often no longer perfectly straight and vertical; they tend to bulge and lean slightly due to their age and, at times, past bomb damage.
The client was relieved to receive guidance from an experienced chartered structural engineer.
We were satisfied that, although the wall looked somewhat unusual, it was perfectly safe and strong and no remedial work was required.