Building inspections always uncover the bad stuff.

While crawling underneath houses during building inspections we often see poor building work. Either builders don’t expect their dodgy work will ever be uncovered or owners and vendors patch things up to make a quick sale without spending money. Whatever the circumstance, most defects are discovered during building inspections. This particular defect was uncovered deep into a subfloor at a house in the suburb of Ivanhoe, in Melbourne. In this case a bearer (a structural component of the floor) was being supported by a stack of loose bricks. This condition is inadequate and is considered a major structural defect. This client was well informed as to the condition of the house at the time of negotiation and went on to purchase it. Learn more about our inspection services by viewing this page. If you would like to speak with us about pre purchase building inspections in Melbourne, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a no obligation discussion on 1300 729 352, or send us an email here.

 

Brickwork cracking

Brickwork cracking is a common concern for house buyers. Suburban brick veneer houses often present themselves with brick cracking to some degree, and while in most cases the brickwork of these houses is non-structural above the floor level, cracking can be a difficult and expensive problem to rectify. Because brick veneer construction is brittle, in recent years we now construct brick veneer houses with articulation joints, which accommodate any movement in a building. Movement occurs for many different reasons, including variations in climate or temperature, movement in the frame and movement in the foundations. It is important to diagnose the severity of brick work cracking prior to purchasing and to also assess whether the defect is considered a structural or non-structural element. Melbourne House check considers the condition of all brickwork within a pre purchase building inspection. If you would like to speak with us in detail about brickwork cracking we can be contact through our website www.melbournehousecheck.com.au/contact

Read our other posts on brickwork problems:

Leaning brickwalls

Cracks in brickwork

Cracks in brickwork can be a major concern.

If there are cracks in the brickwork of a house you are considering buying, it is important to seek further advice from a suitably qualified building practitioner to identify the cause and give you advice regarding the cost of rectification. There are a number of reasons why brickwork cracks. The most common is foundation movement, which can be caused by a number of factors. Water, trees, construction methods and poor workmanship are just a few causes of foundation movement and in most cases rectification can be expensive. Builders at Melbourne House Check know how to diagnose brickwork cracks.

Read our other blog post about leaning brick walls here.

Water pooling around footings will cause problems.

Look out for this when buying houses. Water pooling around concrete footings is bad and can cause major structural problems. 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 system, but if water is left to pool around slabs or stumps it can be a very expensive rectification. At Melbourne House Check a Pre-Purchase House Inspection checks for this sort of problem before you buy.

You can view our Facebook post on this matter also.

Pre-purchase house inspections: Don’t risk not getting one.

If you are considering buying a house without having a pre purchase inspection you are taking a huge risk. Just because a house is presented well, doesn’t mean all is ok. In fact there are just so many things that can be hidden it takes more than just an eager eye to identify the problems. Here are just a few recent issues we have identified:

  • Restumped houses not level.
  • Water leaking through ceilings from balconies above that have been disguised.
  • Unidentified blocked sewers from trees.
  • Rotting structural timbers underneath bathrooms due to leaking.
  • DIY wall removal that has resulted in structural deficiencies.
  • DIY deck and pergola construction resulting in safety concerns.
  • Inadequate site drainage that has not been identified in summer months that has resulted in footing failures and a build-up of water underneath the house.
  • Re painted interiors that cover up structural movement.
  • Active termites.

Pre-Purchase Building and Pest Inspections are cost effective and important. The photo below is from a house that presented beautifully on the outside, however underneath the floor was a completely different story. This photo shows a brick pillar supporting the floor bearers and joists. It’s not meant to look this messy and incomplete. This was common underneath this house of which the prospective purchaser had no idea of the poor quality of workmanship. If you are buying a house you need to know the standard of which it has been built. Melbourne House Check – For Peace of Mind. You can view our Google+ and Facebook posts on this matter below. You can call us on 1300 729 352 or you can send us an email here. 16

Read our other pre purchase inspection articles:

Pre purchase inspections – 4 things you need to know

The positives of a pre purchase inspection

5 Frequently asked pre purchase inspection questions

Why is it important to have a pre purchase inspection before buying?

Illegal Renovations – Don’t get caught up after you buy.

In Victoria, building work is regulated by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) which is responsible for ensuring the compliance of builders and plumbers. However, the building process has some pitfalls for those who are uninformed. If you are buying or selling a house it is important you know the regulations of building permits. The Building Act 1993 legislates that all building work is subject to the issuing of a building permit, unless the proposed work falls under an exemption under the Regulations. This includes alterations, demolitions and removals/relocations of buildings. A building permit will specify that either an occupancy permit is required or a certificate of final inspection is required on completion of the building work. If you are unsure of whether a house has had a building or planning permit issued, consult your municipal offices as to whether the building work required or had a building permit issued. A building permit ensures that the building work:

  • is done by registered and insured builders
  • has the correct documentation
  • is inspected at different stages of work, and
  • is independently assessed as finished and/or suitable for occupation.

The building permit also lists the types of inspections you must have at different stages of work.  Some types of inspections are footing, steel reinforcement, frame and final inspection. Large fines apply if you build without the correct permits. You can be forced to demolish illegal buildings. It is important that if you are planning renovation work at your house you are 100% aware of the need of a building permit. Examples of building work requiring a building permit are:

  • a new home or factory
  • a swimming pool
  • extensions
  • renovations
  • demolition, or
  • building removal.

You may also need a building permit for smaller projects like:

  • a new fence
  • re-stumping
  • retaining wall
  • boundary wall
  • spa
  • safety barrier for a swimming pool or spa
  • garage
  • carport
  • outbuilding
  • Veranda, or pergola.

If there has been building work done at a house you are considering buying, check that a building permit was issued and the work was completed by a registered builder. Call Melbourne House Check for further assistance on 1300 729 352.

You can find our relevant Facebook posts on this matter also,

Rising damp can be hard to fix.

Here are some tips to look for when buying your house.

  • Blistering paint and wall paper finishes
  • Damp patches
  • Tide marks of salts on walls up to 1 meter
  • Decayed skirting boards
  • Decaying brickwork

Rising damp can be caused by many reasons. The cures can be expensive. Look for the signs of rising damp or get Melbourne House Check to look for you.

You can find our Facebook post on this matter also.

Don’t forget to measure.

If you are considering buying a house, don’t forget to measure the boundaries. They are not always correct and it’s best to find out before you buy.

Melbourne House Check can measure boundaries as part of a Pre-Purchase Inspection and while it will not be as accurate as having a land surveyor re-establish the boundaries, it will give you an account of where the current fences have been built for you to compare to the measurements on the title. To have your potential site measured by Melbourne House Check just ask us when you make your booking.

You can find our Facebook post on this matter also.

Our Termatrac T3i radar devices.

The Termatrac T3i is the most advanced termite detection device in the world. With radar detection, thermal sensor plus an accurate moisture sensor, the 3 in 1 device is the ultimate tool in detecting termite’s. At Melbourne House Check we use the Termatrac T3i at each Pre-Purchase house and Pest inspection.

The following short video shows the Termatrac T3i radar device in action detecting termites in the bottom plate of a wall. The moving radar graph shows the activity of the termites from the main device via Bluetooth.

Termatrac video

Read our other articles on termite inspections and termite damage

Is your house at risk of termite infestation?

Termite infestation in a new home under 2 years old

Self diagnosing termite issues

Building inspections also look for termites

Pest inspections in Melbourne – conditions to look for

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