Chirnside Park homes often sit on sloping blocks and reactive clay, where movement, drainage problems and retaining wall failures can turn into serious structural defects if they’re missed early.
Answer a few quick questions to receive your personalised quote for Chirnside Park
Complete this step to continue
Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We assess cracking patterns in brickwork, plaster and external cladding, then relate them to likely movement points such as slab edges, step-downs and load-bearing walls. This helps separate minor shrinkage cracks from signs of foundation movement that may require structural engineering input.
Where access allows, we examine visible subfloor supports, ant caps, bearer/joist condition, and slab-edge indicators such as heave, edge moisture and separation at skirtings. These areas often reveal whether the building is settling, lifting, or being affected by moisture and drainage.
We inspect roof coverings, flashings, valleys, penetrations and visible framing for defects linked to leaks and structural stress. In Chirnside Park, complex rooflines and wind-driven rain can expose weak points that lead to rot, sagging, mould growth and ceiling damage.
We look for evidence of water ingress around showers, baths, laundry points, windows and external junctions, including swelling, staining, drummy tiles and deteriorated sealants. Ongoing moisture can degrade subfloors, wall frames and plaster, and it’s a common driver of major defect claims.
We check visible retaining wall condition, drainage outlets, weep holes (where present), and surface falls that direct water toward or away from the building. On sloping sites, poor stormwater control can increase hydrostatic pressure and contribute to wall failure and footing movement.
While not a full compliance certification, we identify visible issues that commonly present as major safety hazards—such as damaged cabling, unsafe DIY alterations, leaking pipework, and signs of overheating at accessible points. These findings help you prioritise urgent trade investigations before occupation.
Discover why thousands of property buyers trust us with their most important investment.
Professional inspections with attention to every detail. Here's a glimpse of our work.
Inspection photo 1
Inspection photo 2
Inspection photo 3
Get Major Building Defects as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Chirnside Park we often see movement-related cracking in brick veneer and internal plaster, particularly around step-down areas on sloping blocks. Water management also matters: blocked or poorly directed stormwater can drive moisture into slab edges, subfloors and wall frames. Roof leaks around valleys, flashings and penetrations can create hidden timber damage that becomes a major structural issue if left unresolved.
We look at the crack width, direction, location and whether it’s accompanied by other indicators such as sticking doors, uneven floors, separation at cornices, or stepped cracking in brick mortar lines. Minor shrinkage cracking is usually fine and stable. Structural cracking often points to movement, moisture changes or load issues and may require further assessment by an engineer or relevant specialist.
Yes. We check for visible signs that commonly indicate waterproofing failure, including moisture staining, swollen skirtings, mould, loose or “drummy” tiles, cracked grout and poorly sealed junctions. We also consider how water may be travelling through walls or floors. Where access is limited, we explain the constraints and recommend targeted testing or trade investigation if risk indicators are present.
They can. Sloping sites often rely on retaining walls, drainage systems and careful management of surface falls to keep water away from footings. If drainage is inadequate, water can concentrate at cut-and-fill transitions and increase the chance of movement or retaining wall distress. During the inspection, we focus on these site factors because they’re common drivers of major defects in hillside-style suburbs.
We document the defect with photos, describe why it matters, and explain the likely cause and typical next steps. Depending on the issue, that may include urgent make-safe action, a licensed trade assessment, or an engineer’s opinion for structural items. We also help you prioritise defects so you can decide whether to proceed, renegotiate, or plan repairs in the right order.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the structural and safety issues that can be missed on a quick walkthrough—call 0413 163 187 to organise an inspection in Chirnside Park (Ringwood region).