RICS Level 3 Building Survey in SA64 | Crymych & Pembrokeshire

Across SA64, a good share of the housing stock is older and built in traditional ways, which is why our RICS Level 3 Building Survey is well suited to this postcode. Many homes in this rural part of Pembrokeshire date from before 1919 and use solid stone walls, lime mortar and traditional timber frameworks. Those methods can last extremely well, but they need informed inspection. We look closely at the condition of these original elements, watching for movement, decay and past repairs that may fall short of current building standards.

We inspect the main structural parts in detail, including the foundations, walls, floors and roof structure. In SA64, we regularly see slate roofs, a traditional covering found across Pembrokeshire and tied to the area's quarrying history. Our surveyors check for slipped slates, failing lead flashing and any signs of stress in the roof timbers. Chimney stacks get careful attention too, as they are common on older homes here and often suffer from weathering and mortar loss in the local climate.

Our Level 3 survey also picks up the defects we commonly see in SA64 homes, from damp penetration in solid wall construction to timber problems such as woodworm and rot, along with poor insulation or ventilation. Around 150 properties changed hands in the SA64 area over the past year, and many of them are older homes needing work. A detailed survey sets out what you are actually buying, and what investment may be needed to bring it up to a good standard.

Environmental risk forms part of the picture as well. In parts of Pembrokeshire, radon exposure is something to consider, and we flag where radon testing would be a sensible next step so you can make a properly informed decision about the home.

Anyone buying in SA64 should be aware of a few local factors, and the geology is one of them. Some parts of the area have notable clay deposits, which can trigger foundation movement in spells of very wet or very dry weather. That shrink-swell cycle can affect buildings with shallow or older foundations in particular. Our surveyors are trained to spot the usual clues, including characteristic cracking and distortion to window or door frames.

Radon is another point we take seriously in SA64. Some parts of Pembrokeshire are known for elevated radon potential, and certain properties may need radon testing as a result. Our survey is visual, so it does not include radon testing itself, but we note anything that suggests further investigation would be wise and advise you accordingly. If the home sits in a higher-risk zone, we can point you towards qualified radon testing providers.

Materials matter here as much as structure. Many SA64 homes are built of local stone, often finished with render or paint, and topped with slate roofs. They are durable materials in many cases, but they do not behave like modern brick and tile. Our surveyors understand how these traditional forms of construction should be assessed, and we look for issues such as decayed lime mortar, erosion to the stone or deterioration in the slates that can easily be missed without experience.

Because SA64 is so rural, quite a few properties depend on private water supplies, septic tanks or sewage treatment systems rather than mains services. Our survey is centred on the building itself, but we do note the presence of these arrangements. Where needed, we advise that separate specialist inspections may be required to confirm they comply with current regulations and are operating as they should.

From our survey work across SA64, some defects appear again and again. Damp is high on the list, especially in older homes where solid walls have no modern damp-proof course. Moisture can rise from the ground or penetrate from weather exposure, affecting walls, plaster and timbers. Our surveyors work to identify not just the presence of damp but its cause, separating condensation from penetrating damp and rising damp so the right remedy can be considered. In the solid stone buildings common around Crymych, that approach is important because damp management differs from what would be expected in modern cavity wall construction.

Timber defects are another regular finding in SA64. We see woodworm in floor structures, roof timbers and other structural elements, and wet rot or dry rot can develop where damp persists. Left unchecked, those problems can weaken affected parts of the building. Our survey sets out the type and extent of any timber defect we find and advises on the specialist treatment likely to be needed. This is particularly common in older properties, where traditional timber frame construction or original timber floor joists may have faced years of moisture exposure.

Roofing defects are also common, especially on homes with traditional slate coverings. Age, weathering and impact damage can all lead to slipped or broken slates, failing mortar pointing and defects in lead flashing around chimneys and valleys. Because slate roofing is so widespread in SA64, we pay close attention to those details and note any repairs needed to keep the roof weather tight. We also inspect roof space insulation and ventilation, both of which play an important part in reducing condensation risk in older houses.

We do encounter structural movement in some SA64 properties, though it is by no means universal. The risk is greater where homes stand on clay soils that are prone to shrink-swell movement in wet or dry spells. During inspection, we look for the classic warning signs, including cracking patterns, doors and windows that no longer shut properly and evidence of earlier movement that may already have been stabilised. If the movement appears significant, we recommend further investigation by a structural engineer so the cause and the right remedial works can be established.