What to look out for when buying a second-hand home in SW8
If you are looking to buy a home near Vauxhall, properties range from apartments, terraced cottages and even period houses which are found in Vauxhall and nearby Kennington, Oval and Stockwell. However, some of the properties you will find are older properties and this may bring with it several issues to look out for.
While we are still in the colder months of the year damp and/or mould may be one issue that will raise its head. It is worth investigating should you come across it, but it is a common problem that can be dealt with.
How to deal with condensation in the home
Some older properties are built with hollow block walls with little or no insulation in them. This proves to be a problem in the colder months. The cold air temperature on the outside penetrates through the layers of the property. You may find the inner side of the wall will be very cold to the touch.
As cold air does not retain moisture this causes a lot of condensation. The due point, or the point with which the cold air releases its moisture, will occur on the inside of the property. This may leave you with damp and mould forming alongside a vicious cycle.
Ventilation and insulation are the key
When you have this condensation problem ventilation can be the key. Some older properties may not be properly ventilated. Good ventilation replaces moist air with fresh air and helps the problem.
External insulation can also be a great help in these situations. Internal insulation needs to be done properly with a vapour control membrane included. This will avoid a very unhealthy internal environment inside your walls.
When you are looking for a property a good inspection of all internal walls is recommended. You can check for ventilation yourself. A full survey is a must also and a good surveyor will be able to give you advice on any issues found within the report.
Interested in buying a property in Vauxhall?
If you would like to know what property we have for sale in the SW8 and SE1 area, then get in touch with our team in Henry Wiltshire today. Our Nine Elms office is just a call or click away.
