Hi everyone,

 

I'm in the process of purchasing a basement apartment in West-London at the moment as a first-time buyer.

 

As part of the full homebuyer's survey I did, the surveyor noted he could not comment on any of the plumbing/drainage within the flat. Given it's a building dating from the late 1800's, I would like to get this further checked out before executing the sale.

 

But I am a bit confused whether I would need a 'Drainage report', or a 'Plumber report'? Reading what they both do, it seems very similar to me..

 

What I want to get checked is whether all water taps (sinks, toilets, showers) etc are running fine, as well as if all the pipes inside/and serving the flat are in good conditions, free from any damages. And given the flat has some small visual damp issues, I would like to make sure this is not faulty drainage/pipes that cause this. Do I need a Plumbers report or a Drainage report for this? Or are they the same? Reading online I suspect I definitely need some CCTV checking of the pipes/drainage.

 

Thank you so much for your help.

Cheers

T

55 minutes ago, tedmosby said:

purchasing a basement apartment

 

55 minutes ago, tedmosby said:

flat has some small visual damp issues

 

Based on these I would not recommend you go ahead.  Find somewhere above ground and damp free.

17 hours ago, tedmosby said:

..... And given the flat has some small visual damp issues, I would like to make sure this is not faulty drainage/pipes that cause this. Do I need a Plumbers report or a Drainage report for this? ...

 

There's your drainage report. AVOID.

 

Or immerse yourself in the depths of the most dysfunctional  sector of the building industry. Everyone is an expert on your dollar. 

I have allocated a budget of 15k (taken into account at offer stage) to deal with the damp in one of the bedrooms and the living room (together 45sqm). 

 

Given I have accounted for this spend, am I still being foolish to go ahead? 

 

May I ask why you believe this is the sector within the building industry to stay clear off? 

 

Thank you!
Bo

22 hours ago, tedmosby said:

...

May I ask why you believe this is the sector within the building industry to stay clear off? 

 

Thank you!
Bo

 

Bitter experience, and years of reading the threads started by BH members.

Can you give us more of a clue on the background e.g. what period is the building from? the fittings? has any known pipework refurb/replacement been done? when was the basement flat created? That'll give us an idea of what could be expected to be there and what to watch out for. 

 

>>> What I want to get checked is whether all water taps (sinks, toilets, showers) etc are running fine

 

Suggest first check yourself visually. You could measure the pressure and flow rate easy enough - or specify that for a plumber to do. Post up some pictures here to get the benefit of the experienced guys.

 

>>> as well as if all the pipes inside/and serving the flat are in good conditions, free from any damages.

 

That's harder as you won't be able to see a lot of them. You'll have to make an educated guess based on the stuff you can see and anything you're concerned about which you could expose and/or cctv. See if you can spot some inspection chambers for the drainage.

 

>>> And given the flat has some small visual damp issues, I would like to make sure this is not faulty drainage/pipes that cause this.

 

That sounds the most bothersome, and I think I would spend most of my energy on that. Leaks are notoriously hard to diagnose but some are fairly likely caused by leaking shower trays / gutters / roofs / rising damp / window seals / condensation etc. Again pictures will help.