Chinatown’s mix of older shopfronts, laneway buildings and high-rise apartments can hide serious defects behind fit-outs, tiled facades and shared services—especially where moisture, movement and fire compliance issues intersect.
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We check for crack patterns in masonry, plaster and concrete that indicate settlement, slab movement or load-path changes from renovations. In Chinatown’s mixed-use buildings, we pay close attention to openings widened for shopfronts and changes to internal walls that may affect structural performance.
We inspect balcony membranes (where visible), tile drummy areas, grout failure, edge details, door thresholds and signs of leaking into adjacent rooms. Water ingress is a common major defect in CBD apartments because failures can travel through slabs and appear far from the source.
Where accessible, we look for ponding, damaged roof coverings, blocked outlets and overflow paths that can drive recurring leaks. In Chinatown buildings with limited roof access or plant equipment, we focus on visible discharge points and internal signs that suggest drainage defects.
We assess concrete for cracking, spalling, rust staining and water entry in basements and carparks. These areas matter in Chinatown because persistent moisture and vehicle exposure can accelerate reinforcement corrosion and lead to expensive remediation programs.
We target wet areas, external walls and ceiling lines for moisture indicators, swelling, staining and mould-like growth linked to leaks or inadequate ventilation. This helps identify major defects behind recent paintwork or cosmetic patches that can be common in investor-grade refurbishments.
We identify visible hazards such as unsafe wiring, non-compliant plumbing connections, penetrations through fire-rated walls/ceilings, and compromised egress elements where observable. For strata properties we also note issues likely to involve common property so you can raise them with the owners corporation.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Chinatown, we often see major issues linked to water and shared building elements: balcony and bathroom waterproofing failures, facade leaks, and moisture tracking through slabs and walls. Structural movement can show as stepped cracking in masonry or persistent cracking around openings. Basements and carparks can also develop spalling concrete and corrosion staining where water enters or drainage is inadequate.
Yes. During a Major Building Defects inspection we note visible indicators that may relate to common property, such as basement water entry, carpark concrete deterioration, facade cracking, balcony edge failures and roof drainage problems. Access depends on building rules and permissions, so we’ll confirm what areas can be inspected before attending. We’ll also outline what to raise with the owners corporation or strata manager.
We assess structural integrity by examining accessible areas for movement indicators, alignment issues, cracking patterns, and signs of previous patching that may conceal ongoing problems. Where renovations limit visibility, we focus on adjacent evidence such as door/window binding, uneven floors, ceiling cracking and moisture-related deterioration. If findings suggest a structural concern, we’ll recommend the right next step, such as an engineer’s assessment.
Laneway buildings and older shopfronts can have a long history of alterations—new openings, removed walls, added services and changed tenancy layouts. These changes can introduce major defects like compromised load-bearing elements, water entry around patched roofs and parapets, and penetrations that reduce fire separation. We look for evidence of structural changes, moisture pathways and safety hazards that may not be obvious during an open inspection.
We identify visible safety hazards and red flags in electrical and plumbing, such as damaged wiring, unsafe switchboards, poor terminations, leaking pipework, and problematic hot water installations where accessible. Full compliance certification is typically performed by licensed electricians and plumbers, but our inspection helps you understand whether the property shows signs of higher risk and where specialist testing is warranted before you commit.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the structural, moisture and safety issues that commonly hide in Chinatown’s CBD apartments and mixed-use buildings. Call 0413 163 187 to organise an inspection and confirm access requirements.