Croydon Hills homes often sit on sloping blocks and retaining walls—small cracks can signal movement, drainage issues, or footing stress that needs expert assessment.
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We assess wall and ceiling cracking for direction, width, location, and repetition (e.g., stair-step brick cracking, diagonal cracking at openings). This helps distinguish shrinkage or minor plaster issues from movement that may indicate footing problems, framing racking, or structural load transfer issues.
Where accessible, we inspect underfloor areas for sagging, inadequate support, rot, excessive moisture, and poorly executed alterations. In Croydon Hills, lower-set rooms and split-level sections can hide subfloor moisture that weakens timber and leads to uneven floors and structural deflection.
We examine roof space framing for signs of movement, spread, or modifications—such as cut trusses, undersized rafters, or ad hoc bracing. Structural issues up high can show up as ceiling cracking, roofline sag, and doors/windows going out of square.
We look for bulging, leaning, cracking, drainage failures, and ground movement around retaining walls and terraced landscaping. Retaining issues are a common driver of structural movement on sloping blocks and can affect garages, boundary fences, and lower-storey walls.
We identify building and site factors that allow water to reach structural elements—poor drainage falls, blocked weep holes, ineffective subfloor ventilation, bathroom wet-area leaks, and gutter overflow points. Ongoing moisture can cause timber decay, corrosion of fixings, and masonry deterioration.
While not a full compliance audit, we flag structural-safety concerns and visible issues that often accompany major defects—such as unsafe decks, poorly supported openings, or suspect structural alterations. We also note obvious electrical and plumbing-related red flags that may worsen structural deterioration if left unaddressed.
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Some cracking can occur as homes age, but in Croydon Hills sloping sites can increase differential movement. Cracks that are widening, diagonal through brickwork, reappearing after repairs, or associated with sticking doors/windows can indicate structural movement. We assess the crack pattern, location, and related symptoms to determine whether it’s likely cosmetic or requires urgent repair and/or an engineer’s opinion.
Failing retaining walls can allow soil to move, placing pressure on nearby slabs, footings, and lower-storey walls. Signs include bulging or leaning walls, cracking, poor drainage, and sinking around paths or driveways. If the retained ground is close to the house, movement can translate into wall cracking, uneven floors, and water entry. We look for these indicators and explain the level of risk.
Yes, where safe and accessible. We look for sagging members, inadequate bracing, water-related timber deterioration, and modifications such as cut trusses or removed supports. Alterations for skylights, storage platforms, or renovations can change load paths and cause long-term structural issues. Findings in the roof space are correlated with internal signs like ceiling cracking and roofline distortion.
Homes with split-level layouts or lower-set sections can have subfloor zones that stay damp if drainage is poor or ventilation is limited. Persistent moisture can lead to timber rot, borer activity, corrosion of fixings, and loss of support in bearers and joists. We check accessible subfloor areas for moisture indicators, timber condition, ventilation, and any signs of movement or inadequate support.
We’ll explain the defect, the likely cause, and the risk in practical terms. Depending on severity, the next step may be urgent repair, improved drainage, specialist contractor advice, or a structural engineer assessment—especially where movement or load-bearing elements are involved. If you’re buying, you can use the findings to negotiate price, request repairs, or set conditions before proceeding.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the serious issues—movement, retaining wall risks, roof framing faults, and moisture-driven deterioration—so you can act before structural repairs escalate. Call 0413 163 187.