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Crack in the garden

luisavolpe87MiR_1MX2luisavolpe87MiR_1MX2 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hello, I hope this is an appropriarlte question for this forum. We are in the process of buying a house with a big garden. On the video we took during our viewing, we noticed there is a big crack line going from a manhole concrete slab towards the neighbours' garden. I am attaching pictures. The crack is very large and long and has greener grass in it. We thought about an old shrinkage crack or maybe some pipes underneath, however it is very strange that pipes runs through a garden that back onto a train railway and then farms. Does anybody have any experience of what that could be? The soil is a mix of clay and loamy soil with poor drainage. 
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Posts

  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Think you need to ask your surveyor that question. The only suggestion I can think is that the clay has shrunk which is does when it's dry. 
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I agree, ask your surveyor for an opinion.  I would also mention your concern to your conveyancing solicitor who will probably recommend that you ask for a CCTV drain survey to be carried out.  It may also be worth contacting the estate agent to express your concern.  There may be a simple explanation that the vendor is aware of.  If not, the results of a drain survey should help you decide whether to proceed with your purchase or renegotiate your offer.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I agree it does need to be checked out by your surveyor.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    It doesn't look like an ordinary dry clay crack
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • luisavolpe87MiR_1MX2luisavolpe87MiR_1MX2 Posts: 3
    Thank you, we will ask those questions. We had terrible experiences so far and spent already a fair bit on surveys which highlighted big problems with the houses (almost impossible to mortgage) we wanted to buy and we had to pull out. This is why I am asking around before we invest extra money. 😔
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If you haven't made an offer yet or instructed a solicitor and don't want to incur any costs, definitely speak to the estate agent first and then decide whether to proceed.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • luisavolpe87MiR_1MX2luisavolpe87MiR_1MX2 Posts: 3
    Plantminded said:
    If you haven't made an offer yet or instructed a solicitor and don't want to incur any costs, definitely speak to the estate agent first and then decide whether to proceed.
    We had the offer accepted, mortgage in place etc. we are just waiti g for the memo of sale to instruct the surveyor but saw the crack only now whilst looking at the video
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    I thought the seller was responsible for all that information now?
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    luisavolpe87MiR_1MX2 said:
    Plantminded said:
    If you haven't made an offer yet or instructed a solicitor and don't want to incur any costs, definitely speak to the estate agent first and then decide whether to proceed.
    We had the offer accepted, mortgage in place etc. we are just waiti g for the memo of sale to instruct the surveyor but saw the crack only now whilst looking at the video

    In which case it is even more urgent and important that you find out what is causing the crack, before you exchange contracts.    An apparent straight line of cracks is not generally caused by dry weather.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Normal practice would be to make any offer dependent upon a survey of the property. I agree it can become pretty expensive if you then have to retract your offer and begin again.
    As others have said, speak with the estate agent and the vendor but get the survey done ( make sure you tell the surveyor of your concerns ) before you go any further. With luck, it will either not be an issue or one that you can deal with fairly easily if you decide to go ahead with the purchase.
    Best of luck  :)  
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