Box Hill South mixes older brick homes, renovated weatherboards and newer townhouse builds—major defects often hide behind fresh finishes, extensions and re-roofing. A targeted defect inspection helps you spot structural and safety issues before they become expensive surprises.
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We inspect walls, ceilings and external masonry for crack type, direction and location to distinguish typical shrinkage from signs of footing movement or frame distortion. This matters in Box Hill South where older homes and renovated properties can mask movement with patching or cosmetic rendering.
We check for uneven floors, inadequate supports, timber deterioration and moisture conditions that can undermine structural performance. For raised-floor homes, we look for ventilation problems and dampness that can accelerate decay and contribute to movement-related defects.
We enter the roof cavity (where safe and accessible) to assess framing condition, sagging members, signs of past leaks and inadequate bracing. Roof defects can lead to long-term structural damage and electrical hazards, particularly when leaks track along insulation and wiring.
We look for indicators of shower and balcony failures such as swelling, loose tiles, persistent damp odours, staining and moisture damage to adjacent materials. Major waterproofing defects can affect floors and wall framing and can be very costly to rectify once finishes are removed.
We examine brickwork condition, stepped cracking, rusting lintels and misaligned openings. Sticking doors and windows can be an early sign of structural movement, while lintel corrosion can cause cracking and localised failure around openings.
We identify obvious safety concerns such as damaged wiring, unsafe DIY alterations, inadequate wet-area safety measures and plumbing leaks that can drive moisture-related defects. Where we see red flags, we recommend the right licensed trade for compliance testing and confirmation.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Box Hill South we often see movement-related cracking in older dwellings, moisture damage around bathrooms and laundries, and roof leaks that have affected ceiling linings or framing. In newer townhouse-style builds, defects can relate to waterproofing details, roof drainage and workmanship around penetrations. We document the defect, likely cause, and whether it needs urgent action or specialist confirmation.
Yes. Fresh plaster, new flooring and updated kitchens/bathrooms can conceal cracking, dampness or patch repairs. Extensions can also change load paths and drainage, creating new stress points. During a major defects inspection we look for inconsistencies such as repaired surfaces, uneven floors, altered openings and moisture indicators that suggest the defect is behind the finish, then outline practical next steps for verification.
We assess foundations and footing performance by looking for symptoms such as cracking patterns, floor level changes, separation at joins, and external signs around the base of walls. Direct viewing of footings isn’t always possible without invasive work, but we can identify indicators consistent with movement and advise whether a structural engineer should be engaged for further investigation or monitoring.
They can. Slab-on-ground homes may show different cracking behaviour and can be affected by drainage issues that keep moisture against the slab edge. Raised-floor homes can be more prone to subfloor moisture, timber deterioration and support problems if ventilation is poor. We tailor the inspection to the construction type and focus on the failure points that most commonly lead to major defects.
Yes. We describe the defect, where it was observed, why it matters, and what further checks are recommended, which gives you a clear basis for negotiations. For high-cost items—such as structural movement, significant roof framing issues or major waterproofing failures—we’ll recommend the right specialist to help you firm up repair scope and costs before you finalise your decision.
Still have questions?
Contact us for more informationCall ACE Building and Pest Inspections on 0413 163 187 for a defect-focused assessment of structural, moisture and safety issues commonly found across Box Hill South properties.