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3 replies
1k views
3 replies
Your opinions on foundation and bathroom
Hello,
We are in the house-hunting phase for spring, but we've fallen for a house now and don't know how to evaluate some points; would you like to share your opinions? I realize they are opinions, but I mostly want to brainstorm a bit and get some ideas.
The house is inspected, which to me means there are defects we will never get compensated for (I see it as insurance for the buyer); am I being too anxious?
The house was built in 1991. In the inspection report, the following is stated:
-- Concrete slab on ground with floating floor. Due to natural moisture impact from the concrete slab, there is a risk that the carpet may come loose from the substrate. The carpet and glue might also emit an odor that spreads to the living environment. Movement can occur in a parquet floor. Microbial growth may occur if organic material remains from the construction period under the durable plastic film placed on the concrete slab. No such damages were noted during the inspection.
Should we be worried? Are we at risk for an expensive hit? Mold, moisture, and other unpleasant issues?
And the other point I'm pondering is a comment about the shower:
Sealing to the elevation ring visible. It is recommended to contact a craftsman to address the sealing. The sealing is intended to seal against the elevation. When the sealing is not as intended, water may seep in, leading to moisture-related damages. No such damage was noted during the inspection. Moisture indication without any remarks. No elevated moisture indications were noted in the space during the moisture indication.
How likely do you think there is moisture underneath even though it wasn’t detected? I assume a plumber can easily fix the drain? We believe the bathroom is from when the house was built, i.e., '91. So it should probably be fixed but we hope to wait for about three years or so.
Thanks for your input!
We are in the house-hunting phase for spring, but we've fallen for a house now and don't know how to evaluate some points; would you like to share your opinions? I realize they are opinions, but I mostly want to brainstorm a bit and get some ideas.
The house is inspected, which to me means there are defects we will never get compensated for (I see it as insurance for the buyer); am I being too anxious?
The house was built in 1991. In the inspection report, the following is stated:
-- Concrete slab on ground with floating floor. Due to natural moisture impact from the concrete slab, there is a risk that the carpet may come loose from the substrate. The carpet and glue might also emit an odor that spreads to the living environment. Movement can occur in a parquet floor. Microbial growth may occur if organic material remains from the construction period under the durable plastic film placed on the concrete slab. No such damages were noted during the inspection.
Should we be worried? Are we at risk for an expensive hit? Mold, moisture, and other unpleasant issues?
And the other point I'm pondering is a comment about the shower:
Sealing to the elevation ring visible. It is recommended to contact a craftsman to address the sealing. The sealing is intended to seal against the elevation. When the sealing is not as intended, water may seep in, leading to moisture-related damages. No such damage was noted during the inspection. Moisture indication without any remarks. No elevated moisture indications were noted in the space during the moisture indication.
How likely do you think there is moisture underneath even though it wasn’t detected? I assume a plumber can easily fix the drain? We believe the bathroom is from when the house was built, i.e., '91. So it should probably be fixed but we hope to wait for about three years or so.
Thanks for your input!
The first point is probably just a standard note that inspectors write for all foundations of that type. I wouldn't be worried about a slab-on-grade built in 1991, as by then they were aware of the potential issues with slab-on-grade and it should be done correctly.
Regarding the sealing ring, I wouldn't worry either. Is the well in the concrete slab or on an upper floor? If it's in the concrete slab, not much can happen even if there's a small leak. If there are no noticeable issues now, I wouldn't do anything about it until you renovate the bathroom, according to the principle "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
You can't see these points as insurance for the seller; these are things that will never be classified as hidden defects and will be confirmed when you do your own inspection.
Regarding the sealing ring, I wouldn't worry either. Is the well in the concrete slab or on an upper floor? If it's in the concrete slab, not much can happen even if there's a small leak. If there are no noticeable issues now, I wouldn't do anything about it until you renovate the bathroom, according to the principle "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
You can't see these points as insurance for the seller; these are things that will never be classified as hidden defects and will be confirmed when you do your own inspection.
For point one, it's just a matter of tearing out the bad solution and replacing it with either tiles or a ventilated floor like Nivell or similar, IF mold or a bad smell is detected. Include that cost in the calculation during a bidding process.
Concrete slab on ground with floating floor is still common today. The important thing here for the construction to be robust is that the slab has at least 10 cm insulation like EPS foam underneath. In that case, it is the construction that many consider to be the safest today.
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