Common Home Survey Problems in Scotland (And How to Fix Them)

Mar 20
3 min read

Buying or selling a property in Scotland can be an exciting process, however the moment a home survey is carried out, unexpected issues can quickly arise. Many homeowners are caught off guard when survey reports highlight problems they didn’t even realise existed.

From roofing defects to damp penetration and failing exterior finishes, these issues are extremely common across properties in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and the wider Central Belt.

The good news is that most survey problems can be identified early and resolved properly, helping you protect your property’s value and avoid costly repairs later.

In this guide, we break down the most common home survey problems in Scotland, and exactly how to fix them.

Identifying Home Survey Problems in Scotland?

1. Roofing Issues Identified in Surveys

One of the most common issues flagged in Scottish home surveys is roof deterioration. Common roofing problems can include missing or slipped tiles, cracked or broken roofing materials, sagging roofline and damaged flashing around chimneys, simply to name a few.

Due to Scotland’s weather conditions, roofs naturally degrade over time, particularly if they are over 20–30 years old. Depending on the severity, this can be fixed through:

Minor tile replacement (short-term fix)
Repairing flashing or ridges
Full roof replacement (recommended long-term solution)

2. Damp and Moisture Problems

Damp is one of the biggest concerns in Scottish properties and is frequently flagged in surveys. Different types of damp can include:

Penetrating damp from external walls
Rising damp from ground level
Condensation from poor ventilation

Signs surveyors look for are water staining on walls or ceilings, peeling paint or wallpaper, mystery odours or cold and damp surfaces. Depending on the cause, this can be fixed through:

Improving exterior protection (roughcasting or coatings)
Repairing cracks or damaged render
Improving ventilation and insulation
Fixing roofing or guttering issues causing water ingress

3. Cracked or Failing Roughcasting / Render

Exterior wall finishes are another major focus in surveys. Common roughcasting issues can include cracks in render or roughcast, hollow or blown areas, loose or falling material and water penetrating through walls.

Older properties across Glasgow and surrounding areas often suffer from degrading roughcast due to age and weather exposure. This can be fixed through:

Patch repairs (temporary only)
Full removal of damaged render
Re-roughcasting for long-term protection

4. Gutter and Drainage Problems

Poor drainage can cause serious exterior damage and is commonly highlighted in surveys. Gutter and draining issues can include:

Blocked gutters
Broken downpipes
Overflowing water
Poor drainage around the property

When water is not properly directed away from the home, it leads to damp walls, structural deterioration and damage to the foundation. This can be fixed by:

Cleaning and maintaining gutters regularly
Replacing damaged sections
Installing modern guttering systems if required

5. Structural Movement and External Cracks

Surveyors often flag cracks in walls or external finishes. Although hairline cracks may be cosmetic and therefore not serious, larger cracks can indicate structural movement, water damage, or weak substrate beneath the roughcast. This can be fixed through:

Assessing crack severity
Repairing substrate if needed
Applying new exterior protection (roughcasting or coatings)

Why You Should Fix Survey Issues Before Selling

If you're planning to sell your home, addressing issues before a survey can increase property value, prevent price negotiations, and speed up the sale process. Therefore, it is important to act early.

At B-Spoke Group, we specialise in: