How Can I Identify Potential Issues Before Buying a Property?

adamwhitehouse0
Dec 6
4 min read

TL;DR

On viewings in Barnsley, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Nottingham, Taunton, Exeter and surrounding towns, look for obvious red flags: cracking, damp, mould, sagging roofs, uneven floors and poor drainage.
Check paperwork for extensions, loft conversions, electrics, boilers and windows – missing documentation is common and may increase risk.
Gardens, ground levels and surface water management are especially important in hilly or rural parts of Yorkshire, the East Midlands, Somerset and Devon.
Volarex uses drone surveys and thermal imaging to uncover roof defects, insulation gaps and hidden damp that you cannot reliably spot during a short viewing.
A professional, independent survey from Volarex – delivered by an experienced sole practitioner and CRE‑qualified adviser – remains the safest way to understand the true condition of any property before you commit.

Walking around a house in Barnsley, Leeds, Hull, Nottingham, Taunton or Exeter and trying to decide if it’s a sound purchase can be daunting. While nothing replaces a professional survey, there are many clues you can look for at viewing stage to help you make better decisions – and to know when to seek more detailed advice.

1. External Red Flags on a Viewing

Start outside and take your time.

Walls and brickwork

Look for stepped or diagonal cracks around doors and windows, or where extensions meet the main house – especially if they are wider than hairline. These can sometimes indicate past or ongoing movement and should be assessed professionally. Ideal Home
Check for missing or eroded pointing, spalled bricks and damaged render, which are common on older terraces and semis across Sheffield, Leeds, Hull, Nottingham and Exeter.

Roofs, chimneys and gutters

Stand back and check if the roof line is straight. Sagging, missing tiles or damaged flashings can all allow water in.
Look for blocked or leaking gutters and downpipes – staining on walls below often gives them away.
In coastal and rural parts of East Yorkshire, Somerset and Devon, wind exposure and driving rain can accelerate deterioration.

A Volarex survey uses drone technology to inspect high and inaccessible areas in much more detail than is possible from street level alone.

2. Internal Warning Signs

Once inside, let your nose and eyes do some work.

Damp and mould

UK guidance consistently flags damp as one of the most common and costly issues for homeowners.

Look out for:

A persistent musty smell, even if recently redecorated
Discoloured patches, tide marks or bubbling paint on walls
Black spotting or mould growth behind furniture or in corners
Cold, clammy surfaces on external walls

Damp can stem from condensation, penetrating water or moisture wicking up from the ground, and the long‑term impact can range from cosmetic damage to serious timber decay.

Floors and ceilings

Uneven or springy floors may suggest past movement, alterations or timber issues.
Cracks that follow a clear pattern, particularly around extensions or staircases, may need professional interpretation (many hairline cracks are harmless, some are not).

Windows and doors

Sticking doors or windows, or frames that appear out of square, can indicate movement or moisture problems.
Single‑glazed or older double‑glazed units may affect energy efficiency and comfort.

During a Volarex survey, thermal imaging is used to help identify cold bridges, missing insulation and patterns consistent with hidden damp, giving a far clearer picture than visual inspection alone.

3. Gardens, Ground Levels and Drainage

In South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and hilly parts of West Yorkshire and Devon, ground levels and drainage are crucial.

Check whether driveways and patios slope towards or away from the property. Water should ideally run away from the house.
Look for damp staining or moss at the base of walls or around gullies.
In older properties, pay attention to any history of mining, flooding or ground stability that your solicitor or search results raise.

These points don’t necessarily mean you should walk away, but they do indicate where a survey should dig deeper.

4. Paperwork and History

Ask the seller or agent:

When were the roof, boiler, windows and electrics last renewed?
Is there paperwork for extensions, loft conversions or structural alterations?
Are there guarantees for damp proofing, cavity wall insulation or double‑glazing?

Missing documentation is common, especially in older properties around Barnsley, Wakefield, Hull, Derby and Taunton, but it may affect risk and insurability. Your surveyor can help you understand what is reasonable and what requires further checks.

5. Why a Professional Survey is Still Essential

Even the most careful viewing has limits. You can’t safely inspect the roof, take moisture readings, access lofts properly or interpret complex crack patterns in a 20‑minute appointment.

Independent surveys, especially those carried out to RICS standards, are designed to provide a structured, impartial assessment of a property’s condition and highlight risks in a clear, accessible way.

With Volarex, that assessment is enhanced by:

20+ years’ construction and surveying experience
A sole‑practitioner model, so you always deal with the same surveyor
A rare international advisory credential as a CRE – Counselor of Real Estate®
Thermal imaging and drone roof inspections as standard, where possible

The goal is not to frighten buyers, but to give them a realistic understanding of what they are buying – whether that’s a stone cottage near Beverley, a 1930s semi in Leeds, a townhouse in Nottingham or a modern estate property in Exeter.

Short FAQ – Identifying Potential Issues Before You Buy

Q1. What are the biggest red flags to look for on a viewing?

Obvious external cracks, significant damp or mould, badly sagging roofs, clear signs of water ingress and major DIY alterations with no paperwork are all warning signs that merit professional assessment.

Q2. Can I rely on a seller’s or builder’s survey instead?

It’s usually safer to instruct your own independent surveyor so the duty of care is owed directly to you, not to the seller or builder.

Q3. Do new‑build homes in places like Barnsley, Leeds, Nottingham or Exeter still need a survey?

New‑builds can suffer from workmanship issues, incomplete detailing and drainage or snagging problems. A tailored inspection can help identify concerns before your warranty period progresses.

Q4. How do drones and thermal cameras help spot issues?

Drones allow safe, detailed inspection of roofs, chimneys and high elevations. Thermal cameras help highlight heat loss, potential hidden damp and insulation defects that are invisible to the naked eye.

Q5. If I spot problems, should I walk away immediately?

Not always. Many issues are manageable if understood and priced correctly. A detailed survey will explain severity, likely causes and reasonable next steps so you can decide whether to proceed, renegotiate or withdraw.