RICS Level 2 Survey in Waberthwaite

We carry out a RICS Level 2 Survey as a detailed inspection of the property’s condition, looking at all readily accessible parts of the building. Roof structure, walls, floors, windows, doors, and key fittings such as bathrooms and kitchens are all examined. In Waberthwaite, that also means a close look at traditional stone walls, which are common across the village and can let damp in if they have not been kept in good order.

Visible defects are picked up and graded by severity at the time of inspection. We pay particular attention to damp, a familiar problem in older Cumbrian homes, especially where solid walls have been used instead of cavity wall construction. Roofs are checked too, and in this exposed spot near the Cumbrian coast they can show weathering and tile damage from the prevailing winds.

Windows, doors, and their fittings are checked for draughts or anything that does not work as it should. Electrical and plumbing systems are given a visual look over, though we always advise specialist testing for older installations. The report comes with a clear traffic light rating, so it is obvious which areas need urgent attention, which should be watched, and which are in satisfactory condition.

Where a property sits within the Lake District National Park boundary, our surveyors take extra care with anything that may carry historical or architectural importance. In Waberthwaite, many homes still have original beams, flagstone floors, or traditional fireplaces, all of which are part of the building’s character. We record those features and say if any of them need specialist heritage assessment.

• Roof structure and covering
• Wall construction and condition
• Damp and timber decay assessment
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Plumbing and electrical visual check
• Floors and staircase condition
• External surfaces and drainage
• Building compliance review

The village’s properties mostly use traditional Cumbrian construction methods that reflect the rural setting. Local stone, often sourced from quarries nearby, is the main wall material for many farmhouses and cottages. This solid stone wall construction is very different from modern cavity wall systems, which means moisture can move through the wall fabric more readily if maintenance has not been kept up.

At ground level, many of the traditional homes still have original flagstone floors, a common feature in Cumbrian farmhouses and cottages. Those floors can become damp, especially where ground levels have been raised over the years or ventilation has been blocked off. Our surveyors check these floors carefully and look for damp penetration that could affect timbers resting on, or close to, the flags.

Roof structures in Waberthwaite are usually built with traditional rafters and slate or stone tile coverings. The steep pitches found across Lake District properties help heavy rainfall run off quickly. Even so, roofs can still suffer from slipped tiles, degraded pointing between slates, and worn flashings around chimneys and roof windows. We inspect the covering closely and consider how well it stands up to the weather exposure these properties face all year round.

Original joinery, including windows, doors, and staircases, often survives in Waberthwaite properties, which adds charm but also calls for proper assessment. Windows may be single-glazed and fitted in frames that have warped over decades of use. Staircases, especially in older homes, can be steep with narrow treads that do not meet current building regulations. We note these features and flag any safety issues they may create.

Our work across the Lake District has shown a few recurring issues that Waberthwaite buyers should bear in mind. Damp is still the most common defect in older traditional homes, particularly where solid stone walls are involved. Rising damp tends to appear when the original damp-proof course has failed, or was never installed, while penetrating damp often affects walls exposed to prevailing winds driving rain inland from the coast at Bootle and Silecroft.

Careful roof inspection matters in this area. Properties in exposed locations can experience quicker wear to roof tiles and coverings. We often find slipped tiles, degraded pointing, and worn flashings around chimneys. Because many Waberthwaite roofs are original, or have only been re-tiled once, a thorough inspection is vital before anyone commits to a purchase.

Older properties can also suffer timber defects, including woodworm and rot, in both structural elements and finishes. Floor timbers, particularly in ground-floor rooms, may be affected by rot where damp conditions or poor ventilation are present. Our surveyors tap and probe accessible timber to judge its condition, and we report any areas that need specialist investigation.

Electrical and plumbing systems in older homes often do not meet current regulations. Original wiring, sometimes dating back decades, may still be in service even though it can present fire risks. We recommend that all buyers obtain specialist electrical and gas safety certificates, whatever our visual survey reveals. In addition, traditional plumbing may use galvanised steel or lead pipes, both now considered obsolete and both able to affect water quality.