Annual Building Inspections Melbourne

During our building inspections Melbourne wide, we observe numerous homes that have been poorly maintained. A home that is not maintained will lead to further problems in the future and thus expensive home maintenance and repair costs are incurred by the house owner.

Safehome Building Inspections Melbourne believes it is essential for you to carry out yearly house inspections to have all areas inspected and assessed for house defects. This house inspection will essentially save you money after addressing the problem areas.

Timber around the home requires an annual building inspection to look at rot, paint deterioration and ground contact

Any paint deterioration needs to be addressed, sanded back and re-painted to prevent further timber decay. Timber with decay is evident simply by paint distortion softness when touching the timber. This should be replaced. Small sections of the timber with rot can be patched but the entire decayed sections must be removed first. Timber in contact with the ground is conducive to termite infestation. Timber plinth boards should not be in touch with the soil and is included in the building inspection.

Wall cracking

If, during our building inspection we observe wall cracks, we need to ascertain the seriousness of these cracks. Wall Cracks are categorised based on the widths, lengths, locations and number of cracks. Any cracking noted internally or externally during the building inspection will need to be properly investigated to ascertain cause and remedy.

Gutters and Down Pipes

During the building inspection the gutters and down pipes need to be assessed for rust, leaking joins and adequate connections to storm water discharge. A lot of building inspections we attend reveal down pipes that are not even connected to storm water. This can cause footings movement or settlement and is also conducive to termite infestation. Gutters need to be regularly cleaned of debris to prevent the onset of rust. Many of our house inspections show decay in the timber fascia due to leaking gutter joins and blockages.

Drainage

Poor drainage around a home is often observed during our pre purchase house inspections. The land or paths around the homes walls should be graded so that any surface water falls away from the homes walls. Poor drainage can cause rising damp problems, footings settlement and subsequent wall cracking, timber decay and is also conducive to termite infestation.

Roofing

Regular house inspections of the roof cladding is recommended. Roof tile mortar on hips and ridges erodes over time and leaves gaps which may allow water access into the roof and then ceiling linings. Any gapping should be re-pointed. If, during the building inspection we see roofs with moss and deterioration we advise an entire roof restoration. Some companies offer 25 year guarantees after cleaning and re-sealing your entire roof to new. Flashings should all be checked for deterioration and repaired as required.

Trees

We have seen homes with large dead limbs hanging over the roof during many of our building inspections. Large trees should not be planted near the homes walls as roots can get under the footings and cause extensive movement cracking in walls.

Sub Floor

This is one area that needs yearly house inspections. Due to the simple fact that rarely is an inspection of the sub floor carried out. During the building inspection we check for leaks from shower bases and plumbing. This is a common problem we encounter during our building inspections Melbourne wide.

Call Safehome Building Inspections Melbourne to discuss your annual inspection.