4 Things Surveyors Find Most in Winter Property Surveys
If you’re buying a property this autumn or winter, you might think the cold, wet weather is a reason to put things off. Actually, the opposite is true. Winter is one of the best times to have a survey carried out.
Many of the most common and costly property defects are far easier to identify when the weather is doing its worst. Damp shows itself. Roof issues become obvious. The conditions that hide problems in summer can’t hide them in November. (would you say winter)
Here are the five things our chartered surveyors find most often during winter inspections.
1. Damp and Moisture Ingress
Damp is the number one defect finding on UK property RICS surveys year-round, but in winter it becomes much harder to miss. Cold exterior walls, condensation, and persistent wet weather all make moisture problems more visible, both to the eye and in the readings taken with specialist equipment.
The most common types are rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation damp. All three need different remedies, and all three can be significantly more expensive to fix if left unchecked.
2. Roof and Chimney Defects
Autumn storms take their toll. Slipped, cracked or missing tiles, damaged flashings around chimneys, and blocked or broken guttering are all common findings at this time of year, and all can allow water ingress that damages the fabric of the building.
3. Condensation and Ventilation Issues
Poorly ventilated properties often show their weaknesses in winter. Condensation on windows, black mould around frames, and damp patches on walls and ceilings are all signs that a property isn’t breathing properly. This is particularly common in older properties retrofitted with double glazing without adequate ventilation being added.
4. Structural Movement
Cracks in walls, sloping floors and sticking doors can all indicate structural movement. Cold weather and saturated ground can exacerbate movement, making winter a good time for a surveyor to assess whether cracks are historic and stable, or active and in need of further investigation.
Why Winter Surveys Make Sense
Buying in winter doesn’t mean compromising. It means buying with your eyes open at a time when the property has nowhere to hide.
At Home Surveying, our RICS-regulated surveyors carry out residential surveys across the UK, with every report independently audited to ensure the standard is right. Book your winter survey at home-surveying.co.uk.
