The War Years and Post War Properties - 1914 - 1950s

This information sheet gives guidance on the typical problems that surveyors find when looking at war years and post war years properties. We would add that there are always regional variations and that our surveyors are often coming across new issues, but the following has been given as a general guidance. We would of course recommend that you seek advice from a chartered building surveyor before you proceed with any purchase.

Identifying a war year and post war property

Although there was a vast variety of properties built during this period it tends to be typified by the suburban 1930s to 1950s mass house development that took place. These properties utilised brick and render finishes, pitched concrete tile roof and chimney with a particular feature being a semi circular bay window (but still little consideration was being given to the car). The typical general problem of that period of house building is the lack of skilled labour available due to the war years and the limited supply of materials, as rationing took place until many years after the war had finished with many different items.

The materials they were using also started to change with modern concretes and cements being used. More rigid structures usually had what's now known as cavity wall construction. We were also experimenting with other materials that would have been used for window frames, such as metals, steels and aluminiums.

Typical Problems in war year and post war properties

CHIMNEY STACKS

Due to their exposed condition they do tend to weather and deteriorate and may need repointing, re-straightening or flashing repairs.

ROOF COVERINGS AND UNDERLAYERS

Pitched concrete tile roofs and clay roof tiles were the predominant materials used in this era. Weak areas tend to be where flashings and valley gutters have been formed in zinc or other metals which are coming to the end of their useful life.

Flat Roofs - Flat roof extensions have often been added to these properties. Problem is they are flat and are meant to have a fall of 12 degrees. Original flat roofs were by the Romans - we used other materials like zinc. All metal roofs have problems with the joints, rusting and gets into the decking beneath, once it starts to sag you get the ponding effect.

Felts on flat roofs - Problems we had with felt problems with sun in the summer "known as crocodiling" cos of croc skin. Winter known "freeze thaw" - then they started putting stone chippings on top to stop this.

ROOF STRUCTURE AND LOFT SPACE

Originally these would have been cast iron. If they have not been well maintained they may have rusted or cracked over the years. Checks need to be made as considerable damage can be caused by water coming from these. Originally these would have been cast iron. If they have not been well maintained they may have rusted or cracked over the years; checks need to be made as considerable damage can be caused by water coming from these. Equally, replacement plastic gutters and downpipes may not be supported correctly; this often occurs where the old cast iron brackets are used and extra brackets have not been added to give enough support when converting to plastic.

EXTERNAL WALLS

Usually a mixture of brickwork and render; render in this age of property is now starting to deteriorate and will need repairing and redecorating. A more serious problem in this age of property is wall tie failure; a wall tie is what ties the outer skin of brickwork to the inner skin and in the earlier years these were made with materials that rust, which can cause deterioration to the walls.

EXTERNAL JOINERY

A variety of materials were being experimented with, one of the most well known of these is asbestos that was used just like tin board and was used almost anywhere. Health hazards of asbestos are well documented. We generally find that people do not wish to buy properties with any asbestos in at all. Also metal windows were popular commonly known as Crittal windows, which has become the generic name for these metal windows; although many have been replaced. The ones that remain may still suffer from rusting, warping and may be difficult to shut - condensation can occur with them too.

EXTERNAL DECORATIONS

It is important to keep the render well decorated and also any joinery. We tend to find in this age of property that the wood used is not of the best quality.

FLOORS

Problems can occur with flooring. It was common in this age of property to build a damp proof course to minimise dampness, however some of the older ones can break down and there is of course always the potential for bad workmanship.

SERVICES

Electricity - Typically the electrics have been amended and altered over the years - you always need to check for DIY alterations, old circuits and fuse boards.

Plumbing and Heating - Although state of the art when put in, lead pipework is no longer recommended as it's a health risk and has been removed from the majority of houses, but it still needs to be checked for.

Main Drains - Damage can be caused by any nearby tree roots; we may recommend a check is carried out that the drains aren't leaking, as this in turn can cause subsidence to the property.

OUTSIDE AREAS

In this age of property they do tend to have good sized gardens compared with more modern properties.