Spalling stumps are fairly typical in older homes. spallin happens when moisture penetrates to the steel and the steel swells with rust. It has the same effect as the Incredible Hulk and his shirts (for those who remember the Incredible Hulk)
The outher layers literally pop off.
Our building inspectors climb under the house if possible.
Deck compromised vents
The recent addition of a deck has compromised the air vents. A clear space of 100mm must be maintained around the air vents. read more >>
Leaking Pipe
This is the result of using an angle grinder to cut out for the down pipes.
This has resulted in a large hole which is allowing water to escape onto the ground causing moisture to pond around the footings. A large tube of sealent may help.
Step cracking
Major step cracking was noted under the window and to various other areas of this property. A structural engineer was engaged to assess all the cracking and movement noted to this property. read more >>
Pointers to house movement.
The building inspector noted that the soffitt sheets to this property had popped out of the joining strips. This is a good indication of house movement along with other indicators. read more >>
Carport Support
I can't feel my legs.
Like frost bite on a mountain climber, rust has taken the ends off the structural elements.
This was not the only support on this carport that was rusted out.
Mould and water stainging
Grey mouldy stains in ceilings are usually an indication of water seepage in the roof area. A quick look in the ceiling space confirmed bad water proofing had caused the problem many years ago. read more >>
This is colourfull
A piece of broken fibro for an ant cap with packers scattered like a deck of cards and the bearer is left unsupported. This is but some of the different maintenance ideas our building inspectors find.
Scorched Wall
This timber kitchen looks cute but could have become a potential house fire. The scorched panelling (especially with a fat fire) wouldn't take too long to get a grip and flare up. read more >>
Timber replacement
New timber is noted in the ceiling void. In this case there had been a new bathroom renovation and all warrenties were still in place.
Pipes corroding on the hot water system due to a chemical re-action between the copper and the sheeting around the hot water system. The good thing amongst all of this is that the overflow has been directed into the stormwater system. Top of the class Mr Plumber. Our building inspections often find this not to be the case and the water is left to flow around the footings.
End Lapped sheets
Old style end lapping of corrugated iron has caused corrosion. This may allow water penetration into the ceiling void and cause material deterioration to other areas. This is one of the items that building inspectors during their building inspections. read more >>
Renovation indicators
The new timber and sheets replaced over the bathroom indicate a renovation has taken place. There may be warrenties applicable with this renovation. read more >>
Rubbish in the subfloor
Damp floor together with cardboard and timber makes for a big lunch for termites.
Rubbish in the subfloor provides a great nesting place for vermin.
This area needs to be cleared of all timber and cardboard.
Wet trims
Moisture has been causing paint to lift off on the plaster wall in a wet area room. Insufficient sealing to the area could be one of the causes. read more >>
Water Tank problem
The water tank in non compliant due to the improper connections.
This is the part of the roof that is not normally visible from the ground. You won't know there is problem till you have water penitration in the ceiling. Recommend a licenced roofing contractor to inspect and recitfy as required.
Down pipe to nowhere
Rain water dispersla system is designed to take water into underground pipes and be diverted away from the house to the street. Discharging water next to the house creates soil movement problems and encourages termites into the area. read more >>
Silicone tells a tale
Huge dobs of Silicone indicated to our building inspector that there may have been water proofing issues inplace previously in the shower.
The shower area required re waterproofing with approved systems.
There is a gap behind the power outlet in the bathroom. This may allow water or moisture to penetrate in behind the switch plate. Power and water are not a good mix.
Our building inspector finds this to occur in many homes and advises owners to check their power outlets in wet areas.
Poor maintenance has resulted in a leaky bathroom causing major structural damage to the flooring members.
Our building inspector found this in the subfloor area, which is the area that the client had not inspected. Sometimes it is not very nice in the subfloor area.
This stump was presented like this on a renovated house by a spec-builder.
He didn't think the building inspection would find that a piece of wire was holding the stump together and that it was not the correct remedy for a sick stump.
Improper and ineffective installation has compromised the vermin proofing and wather proofing of the external wall allowing access to the internal areas.
This is a cellular breakdown of timber caused by the exposure to either salt air or industrial fallout (eg. Motor vehicle gases).This is an extremely slow process and no chemical treatment is applicable.
In rare cases with small diameter timbers like tile battens, defibration can cause timbers to fail over time.
Old style cabling with unprotected connections were noted to still be in use. We recommend that this always be assess for safe use by a licenced electrician.
Soffitt Gap
There was a slight oversite when this home was built 13 years ago. Trims are meant to help seal the home from weather and vermin. When climbing in the ceiliing void the building and pest inspectors found evidence of birds nesting inside the roof space. I wonder what else was living in that nice warm space? read more >>
Ground movement
Cracking in a straight line along side the house indicates some settling or movement in that area. This will lead to closer examination of allied surfaces to check for structual cracking in walls and footings.
If you have one of these at your house, look out because they are going to smoke you out. Illegal connections are frowned upon by the council and a simple smoke test will see smoke coming out of your downpipes. It is then time to reach for the wallet and start explaining things.
There is water damage to the front door area which is caused by not having a weatherproofing sill, allowing water penetration and wet rot to establish in the surrounding areas.
Our building inspector climbed into the roof void.
Seeing bright daylight in a dark roof void always rings alarm bells. The flashing is too low to maintain the water barrier in the roof. It requires fixing by a licenced roofer.
Unfinished work in wet area
The area under the raised vanity has not been completed and there is no waterproofing membrane in place to prevent water penetration to other areas. read more >>
Path dropped
Black soil areas have extreme rates of movement between wet and dry seasons and prolonged drought has caused soil to shrink, dropping the concrete about 70mm for its origional position. read more >>
Handy man wiring
Our building inspector reckons every ceiling cavity tells a story about its past history good or bad. This one has had Uncle Bob add a few extra lights. This could be a good way to burn the house down Bob. We recommend licenced electricians to carry out any electrical work. It just may save your life and home.
Improper installation height of path around the external damp proof course.
D.P.C.must not be less than 150mm above adjacent ground level, 75mm above the finished surface level of adjacent paved, concrete or landscaped areas that slope away from the base of the walls, and 50mm above areas protected from the weather like verandas, balconys and decks.
