Clifton Hill’s mix of Victorian-era terraces, updated weatherboards and renovated homes can hide serious defects behind new finishes—especially around subfloors, roofs and altered walls.
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We assess cracking patterns, level changes, door/window operation, and signs of past or ongoing movement. In Clifton Hill, this helps distinguish common age-related hairline cracking from defects linked to footing movement, altered drainage, or poorly executed re-stumping.
We inspect subfloor ventilation, bearers/joists, stump condition, ant capping visibility, and moisture staining. These checks matter in older Clifton Hill homes where low subfloors and damp conditions can lead to timber decay, sagging floors and structural instability.
We look for signs that walls have been removed or modified, including inappropriate beams, undersized lintels, cracking at openings and ceiling deflection. This is vital for Clifton Hill properties with open-plan conversions where structural work may not match the loads.
We check roof framing alignment, sagging, tie-downs where visible, and key water entry points such as flashing, valleys, box gutters and penetrations. Major defects here can drive ongoing leaks that damage rafters, ceilings and insulation.
We assess brickwork and rendered surfaces for stepped cracking, bulging, fretting and failed repointing, plus retaining wall stability where present. In tight Clifton Hill streetscapes, boundary and retaining failures can become complex and costly to rectify.
We identify visible risks such as uncontrolled moisture around wet areas, poor drainage falls, damaged overflow relief paths, unsafe cabling, and non-compliant-looking alterations. These are common drivers of major defects because they can lead to rot, mould, and fire hazards if left unmanaged.
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Get Major Building Defects as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Clifton Hill, we often see major defects linked to building age and renovations—movement-related cracking, uneven floors from stump or bearer issues, roof leaks that have been active for years, and structural changes made during open-plan conversions. Damp subfloors and poor roof-water management can also drive timber decay. Our inspection focuses on defects that affect safety, structural performance and likely repair cost.
Yes, in many cases we can. We look at crack location, width, direction, whether it’s stepped through masonry, and any associated signs like sticking doors, sagging ceilings or floor slope. Cosmetic cracking is often fine and stable, while structural cracking tends to show movement patterns or distortion. Where the cause isn’t clear, we’ll recommend the appropriate next step, such as an engineer assessment.
We inspect roof spaces and subfloors where access is available and safe. Some Clifton Hill terraces have restricted access due to low clearance, sealed manholes, or tight site boundaries. Even when access is limited, we assess indirect indicators such as ceiling distortion, moisture staining, external ventilation, and floor levels. We’ll note access constraints clearly so you understand what was and wasn’t possible on the day.
Extensions and remodels can introduce major defects if structural elements were removed or loads weren’t properly transferred. We pay close attention to cracking near new openings, beam lines, ceiling junctions and altered roof forms, as well as drainage changes that can affect footings. In Clifton Hill, it’s common to see older structures tied into newer works, so we look for signs of differential movement and workmanship issues.
A major defects inspection is more targeted to high-impact issues—structural integrity, safety hazards and serious moisture-related damage—rather than listing every minor maintenance item. It’s useful if you’re concerned about movement, renovation quality, or water entry, or if you want a clear view of deal-breaker risks. If you want broader coverage including general condition and maintenance, ask us about adding a full building inspection.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchSpeak with ACE Building and Pest Inspections for a defect-focused assessment that targets Clifton Hill’s common renovation, subfloor and roof-water risks. Call 0413 163 187.