Carlton’s mix of Victorian terraces, older brickwork and heavily renovated homes can hide movement, water damage and compromised load-bearing walls behind fresh plaster and finishes.
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We check for signs of foundation movement such as stepped cracking in brickwork, separation at openings, uneven floors, and distortion around door and window frames. This matters because movement can compromise load paths and lead to ongoing cracking, sticking joinery, and structural instability if the cause isn’t addressed.
We look for evidence of removed or modified structural walls, oversized openings, inadequate lintels, and poor support detailing—common in Carlton renovations that open up rear living zones. These changes can cause sagging, cracking above openings, and long-term settlement if loads were not properly transferred.
We assess brickwork and mortar condition, paying close attention to party walls, parapets, and boundary-side walls where access and maintenance are often limited. Deteriorated mortar, bulging walls, and recurring cracks can signal serious structural concerns and may affect adjoining properties.
We inspect accessible roof framing for sagging ridgelines, spread, rafter deformation, damaged trusses, and moisture-related decay. Roof structural issues can be costly and can also present safety risks, especially where leaks have persisted unseen in ceiling cavities.
We target areas where water commonly undermines structural elements: bathrooms, balconies, roof junctions, internal box gutters, rear extensions, and any subfloor/basement zones that are accessible. Ongoing moisture can rot timber, corrode fixings, weaken masonry, and trigger repeated movement and cracking.
While not a full compliance certification, we identify visible defects and installation issues that can create safety hazards or contribute to building damage—such as leaking pipework affecting framing, overloaded or unsafe cabling routes, and penetrations that compromise structural members.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
They can be, particularly where properties have been renovated multiple times or where moisture has been unmanaged. In Carlton, we often see cracking around openings, movement-related separation at walls, and deterioration in hard-to-maintain boundary areas. The key is determining whether the defect is active, what’s driving it, and whether it’s affecting load-bearing elements rather than just finishes.
Minor settlement cracks are typically fine, shallow, and stable over time. Major structural defects usually show patterns that suggest movement or failure, such as stepped cracking through brickwork, wide cracks that reappear after patching, uneven floors, bowed walls, or roof sagging. We assess the crack location, direction, width, associated distortion, and surrounding context to determine the likely risk level.
Yes, where safe and accessible. We inspect accessible roof voids and subfloor/basement areas to identify framing distress, moisture damage, inadequate supports, and signs of ongoing movement. If access is restricted (common in inner-city properties), we’ll note the limitation clearly and advise practical next steps such as targeted access panels or specialist investigation.
In Carlton, party walls and boundary-side masonry can hide significant defects because access and maintenance are limited. We look for bulging, stepped cracking, deteriorated mortar, parapet instability, and signs that water is getting in from cappings, flashings, or box gutters. These defects can be serious because they may affect both structural performance and neighbouring property considerations.
Not always, but often it’s the right next step for confirmation and design of rectification, especially where movement, wall instability, or compromised supports are suspected. We’ll explain the severity, what evidence we observed, and whether the issue appears active. If an engineer is recommended, it’s to quantify the cause, the risk, and the most appropriate repair approach.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchSpeak with ACE Building and Pest Inspections on 0413 163 187 for a targeted assessment of serious structural risks common in Carlton homes and renovations.