A building inspection examines all elements of a building to ensure that the structure is without defects. An inspection also examines exterior elements including drainage, slope of the site, any outbuildings and any conditions around the site that are conducive to termites.

Building inspections should always be undertaken by insured and experienced consultants who look for evidence of water damage to foundations, walls and flooring, condition of fire walls, adequacy of ventilation and evidence of pest infestation.

Here are some of the most common problem areas found during our inspections in and around Melbourne:

Sinking floors

A sinking floor often means that the original subfloor was simply not installed correctly. If your floor feels “spongy” or seems to have too much give to it may also just mean that the subfloor is old and not what it once was. Water or excessive moisture may have started rotting the joist, causing certain areas of the floor to sag. The best course of action is to call in a professional to have a good look at your floor rather than just living with the problem. It is vital to have a building inspection prior to purchase to inspect a subfloor.

Creaking floors

It is quite common for an older home to have a floor or two that creaks or makes other strange noises when walked on. Many homeowners just ignore the sounds, thinking them just a quirk of the house, but that can be a big mistake. A creaking floor can mean that the subfloor was not secured to the joists correctly. A good flooring professional will be able to tell you exactly what the problem is and the best way to go about fixing it.

Uneven floors

As a home’s foundations settle floors can become uneven. Excess moisture in the air can also damage the floor joists and lead to the same problem as well. Dealing with an uneven floor may involve all kinds of framing and joist work so it to is a job best left to a professional.

Wet and damp areas

Water pooling around concrete footings can cause major structural problems. Downpipes that are not connected are often the cause. Even in summer months, make sure you know where the water is being directed too. It is a relatively straight forward process connecting downpipes to the stormwater systems, but if water is left to pool around slabs or stumps it can be a very expensive rectification.

In need of a building and pest inspection for your home or property? Call us on 1300 729 352