Jul 23 2018

Early warning signs that the property you’re investing in needs an inspection

Building inspections: early warning signs

You spent weeks, months or years searching for your dream property. It’s in the perfect location, the price is great, and it looks just like you imagined it. You’re so excited that during the viewing you don’t even pay attention to some of the details which could mean your property needs a professional house inspection before you invest in it. It is important to know what to look for when viewing a property you’re intending to buy to help you avoid losing your money, time and health. Consumer Affairs Victoria advises that all potential buyers should consider organising professional building inspections before purchasing any property. In this post, we round up the most important early warning signs that mean you need a building inspection before you make an offer.

Early warning signs of roof problems

One of the most common defects found in properties are roof damages. When you’re inspecting a property, look out for things such as cracks or any leak marks in the ceiling. Sometimes property owners try to cover up these small defects and they might not be visible straight away. However, if you notice parts of the ceiling where paint is newer or has a slightly different colour, it might be a sign that the property is having roof issues.

If the property you’re interested in has an attic, always make sure you go up to look around. Check the quality and state of the wooden structures holding the roof and see if they have any visible signs of leakage. These might include rotting wood, marks and/or mould. If you can’t spot any, pay attention to the smell and air quality in the attic – humid and damp air might mean that if there aren’t any visible roof problems yet, they might soon appear.

During the viewing you probably won’t be able to climb onto the roof and check its condition. However, sometimes issues can be spotted even from afar. Look out for things such as moss growth, rusty gutters and holes in tiling. These are definite signs that you need a professional building inspection to assess the property before you buy.

Early warning signs of termite infestation

Timber pests, also known as termites, can damage any beautiful property. They can be hard to detect, especially during a property viewing for potential buyers, however there are a few things you should be looking out for. One of those is the flooring within the property. If you notice any sagging parts of the floor, it could mean that termites are eating the wood which supports the floor structure. Moreover, look out for floors which are covered with rugs or carpets. They could be hiding rotten or termite-infested flooring.

Another thing to be cautious of is doors and windows which don’t work correctly. You should always try to open and close at least some of the doors and windows within the property you’re viewing. If you notice that you find it hard to close or open any of them, it could be a sign that the building is infested by pests. This is because termites can weaken the wooden structure throughout the property, causing parts of the building to sink. This often results in issues with closing and opening the doors and windows.

Sometimes you can also notice warning signs of a termite infestation from outside of the property. These include damaged foundations of the building, rotting wooden fixtures such as stairs and window frames, and visible damp areas around the house. Pests love moist environments, therefore if you notice areas where wood is exposed to dampness, you should definitely consider a building and pest inspection before purchase.

Early warning signs of floor problems

When you’re viewing a property, look out for things such as sinking, uneven or squeaky floors. Sinking and uneven floors sometimes can be hard to spot as they might be covered up with small rugs or carpets. Squeaky floors can also be covered up with rugs, however it is fairly easy to spot thi particular issue. Even though it might seem futile, squeaky floors can indicate serious damage within the property that needs to be assessed.

Moreover, if you notice that any of the rooms within the property are carpeted throughout, it could mean that the wooden floor underneath can be in a poor condition. This is especially applicable in older properties, as their floors are likely to deteriorate with time. You also most probably won’t be able to know whether the floors in carpeted rooms are in a good condition even in new properties.

If you notice any of these common floor issues or issue indicators, it is an important sign that you should organise a professional building inspection before buying the property. This is because floor problems can indicate serious problems, such as design and structural faults, poor workmanship and pest infestation. These are often really hard and costly to fix, and might mean that investing in the property will correlate with significant additional costs.

What to do if you notice any of these early warning signs?

We would recommend organising a pre purchase building inspection to help you assess the property and its value before you buy it. Often, building inspections find issues that are hard to find during a prospective buyer viewing. The results of a professional inspection can help you make a decision whether you want to purchase the property, as well as potentially help you negotiate the price with the agent. If you’d like to organise a building inspection for your dream property, contact us now.

Jun 25 2018

Mickleham New Home Inspection

House Inspections Melbourne was recently called to do an inspection on a newly built house in Mickleham prior to handover. Mickleham is a newly developed suburb in Melbourne’s North, approx. 32 km from the CBD. Our Mickleham new home inspection found that the building was not built up to code.

The suburb is still in development with aims to develop the area to sustain multiple schools and businesses, with a large city centre and business park. The area has buying potential for young families planning for a future. Our customer wanted to have confidence in the construction of their new property, and reached out to us to conduct a pre-handover inspection.

It can be easy to see only the nice modern features in a newly built house, but we at House Inspections Melbourne pride ourselves in being able to assess the quality of the construction. This allows us to give insight into how the house will hold-up for years to come.

Overall the property featured mostly minor finishing faults. We found a fair few areas where the paint was finished poorly, not meeting acceptable standards for new home handovers. The paint was a problem throughout the house. Similar problems were found with the doors across the house not up to code, being slightly off hinge, or not lining up with the frame properly. This is another problem needing to be rectified before handover.

Plumbing in bathrooms, laundry and kitchen was fair, with everything working and found to be up to code. The only problems found was the untidy paint, a recurring problem. The paint had also affected the cleanliness of the tiles, which also needed to be addressed. No water leaks or potential leaks were found. When moving on to the roof, we found it to also be in reasonable condition, with thick installation and adequate roof coverings. The exterior of the roof was also reasonable, with only two tiles and one down-pipe requiring minor but easy adjustment

The biggest, and most troubling issue with the house was the flooring. In the kitchen and garage the floor was found to be not level. The floors need to to relayed in these areas to comply with standards. Floors that are out of level upon construction have the potential to become worse overtime. As they are a key structural feature in the house, it is important that they are held to standard. The flooring was a major problem, which lead to our report deeming the house ‘below average’ quality.

With newly built houses, builders are required to build the property in a way that is up to code. This means that all minor and major faults noted by House Inspections Melbourne must be rectified by the builders before our clients move in. Many of the issues found in this house would have not been noticeable to an untrained eye. The major advantage of having your inspection completed by a professional prior to moving in, is that when you can approach the builders to address the issues before making your final payment.

The owners of this property have ensured that they know what needs to be addressed to be confident that their home is safe for them to move in. If you are after the same peace of mind for yourself and your new home, arrange an inspection online or by calling 0422 228 716.

Jun 15 2018

Termite infestation – What does it actually mean? | House Inspections Melbourne

Termite infestation – What does it actually mean?

Every homeowner or potential homeowner is scared of a termite infestation. We’ve all heard of them and how much they can damage a house, but do you know what termites actually do?

Here is the facts: Termites are small insects that feed on wood, they live in colonies, and Australia is home to the most invasive of the 3,106 known species. For prospective homeowners this means they are a big risk to your new home. Termites need to be considered when getting building inspections done, and we at House Inspections Melbourne are aware of that.

For the untrained eye, signs of termite infestation are only obvious once large amounts of damage is caused. This often costs thousands to repair. Without a proper timber pest inspection, you could move in and find your house being eaten apart only a few months in. Below are the biggest risks of a termite infestation, and what you need to be aware of to stop these pests!

Termites Eat Your House From Inside Out

Termites eat away at the wood in your house, often from the inside out. This means that signs of damage are hard to find. Damage can cause hollow and weakened wood and even sagging floors. They often start by drilling in a honeycomb pattern, and making tunnels across an entire house. They are able to crawl up walls and travel quite a distance from their nest. By the time wood damage is clearly visible this normally means that a significant amount of wood has already been eaten through and the damage is major.

They Cause Noise

In heavily termite infested areas, termites can be heard, particularly at night. Termites communicate with others in the colony by tapping on wood to warn of danger, with the signal being passed along the infected areas. This is something that can be hard to detect without special equipment designed to do so.

They Leave Droppings

Termite droppings are small and dry, easily mistaken for sawdust or sand. Termite droppings can be a good warning sign of a termite infestation, because they are not necessarily distinctive they can be missed when not looking for them. This isn’t limited to just feces droppings. Flying termites lose their wings when finding a mate, dropping them into your home. The good part about this is that this is often the beginning signs of an infected area. If picked up on, it can be addressed before major damage is caused.

They Cause Moisture Damage

Termites produce moisture when eating. This moisture damage combined with the weaker wood and can easily appear to be unrelated water damage, if not treated correctly. Signs of this can be can be buckling wood and swollen roofs, as well as tight fitting windows and doors.

They Cost Money

The cost of a pre-purchase building inspection is nothing compared to the cost of a full termite eradication. For 1 in 5 termite infestations this can mean full evacuation of the home. This leaves the homeowners needing to find alternate accommodation, often an extra expense. Even once termites are believed to be gone from the home, most experts suggest installing further preventive measures. It’s also important to have frequent checkups to ensure the infestation doesn’t come back.

On top of the cost of eradication, is the cost of repairs to the home. Home Inspectors Melbourne has covered customers tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs with our Timber Pest Inspections. Unlike some other potential dangers of owning a home, termite infestations are not covered by most insurance companies. This unfortunately leaves you responsible for the full cost.

Next steps

We know this sounds like a nightmare for homeowners, but our building inspections, including timber pest inspections will leave you with all the information needed to move forward. We can also suggest routine termite inspections for peace of mind in the future of your home! Contact us today to set up your inspection.

Jun 08 2018

Common Floor Problems – Essentials for House Inspections | House Inspections Melbourne

Common Floor Problems: Essentials for House Inspections | House Inspections Melbourne

Picture this: You go to view a home and everything looks great. You’re especially impressed by the beautiful hardwood flooring throughout the interior. That is, until you’re living there and walk down the hall late at night to grab a glass of water… and hear a squeak. Squeaky floors are one of many common floor problems found in houses and now you have to deal with it. Not ideal, am I right?

A floor is the foundation of our homes, workplaces and essentially every building. They can be made out of timber, marble, cork, bamboo, carpet, tiles and more. There are many different floor types and they can definitely add atmosphere to any interior. However, even the best looking floors can be hiding faults that might not be obvious to the untrained eye. Being aware of the many faults in flooring is essential when looking to purchase a home. Without sound flooring, the integrity of the entire building could be at risk.

It’s important to realise that floor damage is not always visible. Often floors look good on the outside. Unfortunately, serious damage is often hidden underneath. Many flooring issues can be eliminated before they even start! All issues can be avoided if the building is designed and constructed by professionals.

It’s crucial to organise building inspections before buying any property as they can save you a lot of trouble and money. At House Inspections Melbourne, we provide a professional special purpose defect inspection service. This service specialises in establishing faults such as floor damage in commercial and residential buildings.

We’ve created a list of the most common floor problems we find in our day-to-day work. So without further adieu, here are the common floor problems that can be uncovered during building inspections!

Uneven Floors

Uneven floors can happen even to the best buildings out there. With time, many building foundations sink in due to the soil moisture or the terrain type that the building has been constructed on. There also could be different reasons, such as extreme environmental events like floods or heavy rainfall. Another reason for uneven flooring is a mistake made during the construction phase. This can be in the form of a foundation or a structure that didn’t settle properly.

Uneven floors in a building can point towards structural damage. If the issue is not addressed, it can lead to major structural problems and safety hazards in the future. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check if a property you’re thinking of buying or renting is experiencing this issue. This is especially important as uneven floors can often be hidden by refurbishments. Hiring a professional building inspections service will help you with assessing the extent of the issue.

Sinking Floors

Sinking floors are a common issue in older buildings, especially in Australian homes. Some houses can be beautifully refurbished and look almost brand new. However, even if a property looks good at the first sight, its floors might be in a bad condition. Therefore, we suggest a pre purchase building inspection as a cautionary measure when looking for a house. An inspection is especially important if you suspect the property is older.

The most common cause for sagging floors is age. Over time, moisture and water weaken the main structural foundations and causes the floors to subside. It is especially concerning if the dwelling doesnt have adequate supporting stumps. This is often a case with older properties. Another cause may be an infestation of timber pests (termites), that basically eat the timber work from inside out. It’s a good idea to book a timber pest inspection if your property has sinking floors because the damage might be caused by termites. In this case, an urgent intervention and pest control measures are needed.

Squeaky Floors

Squeaky floors are a common occurrence in old properties. While they are often joked about, they are truly no joke! Squeaky floors might be a sign of property damage and therefore should not be ignored. The most common cause for squeaky floors is unsecured sub-floor structure. It can be fixed, and some people even use DIY techniques to fix squeaky floors in their homes. With that being said, we strongly recommend booking a professional house inspection to asses the damage. A professional eye will be able to help you assess just how urgent fixing the squeaking flooring in your soon-to-be property is.

Solutions

Apart from the common floor problems listed above, there are many other issues you may face with the flooring and foundations in your property. We always recommend organising building inspections whenever you’re thinking of buying a property. An inspection is also recommended if you realise that your current home is facing floor and/or other damage. This will help you establish the real extent of the problem and decide what steps you should take. If you book a professional building inspection service, you’ll also receive advice on how to prevent and/or deal with the damage in your property.

House Inspections Melbourne is a professional building inspections company in Melbourne. We specialise in services such as special purpose defect inspection. Our dedicated and experienced team will be able to help you assess the damage in your property, both residential and commercial. We are skilled in looking for floor faults, as well as other structural damage.

Contact us today for a free quote and consultation. We will help you find the best solution to your situation and discuss the ways we can help you.

May 29 2018

Common Roof Problems – Health Check Essentials | House Inspections Melbourne

Given the extremities of the Australian climate, the most well-built roof will undoubtably start to deteriorate at one point or another. A roof that has not been regularly inspected and maintained may require significant repair in the not-so-distant future. Therefore, it’s always best to get your roof checked during your house inspection so that you’re on the lookout for common roof problems. Often roof damage is not immediately apparent and will require a specialist’s eyes to spot early signs. Roof inspections are vital procedures for maintaining the quality and longevity of your roof. With that being said, if you’ve never had one before, you might be wondering what is involved with this type of inspection and why they are so important.

Common roof problems are not always obvious – let’s face it, you don’t usually get up on your roof to check it, if at all. Besides, your roof may be hard to access, or you may not be sure where to look. Problems, if not addressed early, can become expensive. Remember that a roof is at its best, at the time of installation. From then on, it’s subject to physical elements and age.

There are many common trouble spots. By identifying these areas and dealing with them quickly, you can avoid more serious problems of cracking, rotting and leaks that can penetrate the house and cost you big money. If you’re concerned about a particular part of your house such as the roof, we can assist you with our special purpose defect inspections!

Some of the most common roof problems we come across regularly include:

Moisture and Roof Leaks

The most difficult weather element to control is water. Rain can result in moisture forming under the layers of your roof, which can lead to leaks and mould. For this reason, a metal/lead flashing is placed over junctions between roofing materials and the building construction. This deflects water away and form a barrier against water seeping into the house. Flashings also seal the areas where vents, pipes, supports or cables penetrate the roofing materials. If the flashing is not well sealed or is poorly attached, then leaks can occur. Seams can open up and tiles can blow off. A fault in the flashing is one of the most common roof problems.

Ponding Water

Water that ponds or settles on your roof is a sign that there is a problem somewhere and it should be investigated. Likely culprits could be an air conditioning unit overflowing, the roof frame shrinking and creating a hollow. Or it may even be where people could have walked on the roof and dented the metal ribs.

Roof Fixings becoming loose and/or dislodging

Temperature changes can cause normal movement in metal roofing. Movement, however, can also result in roof fixings becoming loose or dislodging. If fixings require maintenance or repair, this work should be carried out by a licensed plumber. On tiled roofs, mortar along hip and ridge tile edges can become loose and cracked. Your best bet is to make sure they are checked regularly. Where there are loose ridge/hip tiles, these should be re-bedded and re-pointed, and cracked tiles should be completely replaced to avoid moisture getting into your home.

Moss growth

Roof tiles, particularly terracotta tiles, are prone to moss growth. This can make them very slippery, so you should avoid walking on them in damp conditions. The lichen can also cause the tiles to become more porous, though this does not generally damage the tiles. Some people find the mossy look more in keeping with the character of older houses, while others prefer a cleaner look.

Deterioration of Roof Membrane

Some tiled roofs and all metal roofing have a shiny membrane laid directly underneath called ‘sarking’ or ‘sisalation’. This membrane acts as an insulation and helps to deflect condensation down into the gutters. Over time, the membrane can deteriorate and become porous, cracked or ripped, which can lead to bigger problems.

Leaking and rusty gutters

All gutters need to be cleared of dirt and rubbish. Debris, such as leaf litter and silt, can get trapped in the gutters. This can create acidic moisture leading to rust and water overflow.

Box gutters are formed where two or more sections of the roof meet. If the gutters are not deep enough to carry a heavy load of water, they can easily overflow and cause water leaks to ceilings inside the house. Trees that are close to the house should also be trimmed back away from the roof as much as possible. Not only do overhanging tree limbs create a build-up of leaves, but the limbs themselves can also cause problems if they break.

Faulty installation and poor workmanship

Unfortunately, faulty installation of the roofing material and poor workmanship can cause problems with your roof at some point. While these issues can be difficult to see visually, they can lead to future problems, such as premature aging or failure of the roof system. A professional independent building inspector can tell you if your roof has been installed correctly.

Lack of maintenance

Common roof problems can be addressed with routine inspections and proper maintenance. Be aware of the kinds of issues that can arise and seek the assistance of specialists if you need a qualified assessment. Remember that a roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home and minor problems can become serious damage if they are not corrected early.

Bushfire Ready

To keep your home safe, it is crucial that you prevent sparks and burning material from gaining access. Most homes ignite when sparks or burning embers blow under roof tiles and start burning roofing timbers. While metal roofing offers more protection, it must be firmly secured and sealed. Your best protection is to ensure all gaps in the external roof area along the ridge cap gutter line and fascia board are well sealed. With corrugated iron roofs, make sure there is sealing in the flute spaces at the fascia board. This can be done either with fibreglass insulation or scribed flat metal. Tiled roofs need an appropriate fire-rated insulation (sarking) immediately below the tiles. Also make sure that you clear any leaves and combustible debris from gutters, roofs and downpipes regularly, and fit quality metal leaf guards. This may help fire from taking hold or spreading.

So there we have it! The most common roof problems and what can be done to fix them. For more information on your house inspection or building inspection, feel free to contact us.