Essendon North has a mix of older weatherboards, post-war brick homes and renovated extensions where movement, ageing roofs and outdated services can hide major defects until they become expensive.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We check for cracking patterns in masonry and plaster, gaps around openings, and signs of differential movement that may indicate footing or stumping problems. This matters in Essendon North where extensions and altered internal layouts can change load paths and expose older foundations to stress.
Where accessible, we inspect subfloor areas for timber decay, ant-affected timbers, inadequate ventilation, and uneven or compromised stumps/bearers. These issues can lead to bouncy floors, doors that stick, and ongoing movement that’s costly to rectify if left unchecked.
We assess the roof space (where accessible) for sagging framing, water staining, inadequate bracing, and moisture entry points. We also examine external roofing elements such as tiles/sheets, valleys, flashings and penetrations, because long-term leaks can damage ceilings, insulation and framing.
Bathrooms, laundries and kitchens are checked for signs of water ingress such as swelling, staining, mould growth and deteriorated junctions. In renovated Essendon North homes, failed waterproofing and poor sealing around showers or external doors can cause hidden rot and subfloor moisture problems.
We look for bulging, stepped cracking, deteriorated render, and gaps around windows/doors that can signal movement or moisture entry. External wall defects can also be an early warning of drainage issues directing water toward the base of the building.
While not a full compliance certification, we identify visible red flags such as aged or improvised wiring, damaged outlets, unsafe switchboard indicators, corrosion, and plumbing leaks or poor drainage. These findings help you prioritise specialist follow-up before settlement.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Essendon North we often see issues linked to age and renovations: movement-related cracking, subfloor moisture and timber deterioration, roof leaks around flashings and penetrations, and defects where extensions join the original structure. Older services can also present safety concerns, such as outdated wiring or deteriorated plumbing. Our inspection focuses on defects that materially affect safety, structural performance and likely repair costs.
A Major Building Defects inspection is aimed at identifying serious problems that can compromise structural integrity or safety, rather than listing every minor maintenance item. We prioritise defects that typically require urgent attention, specialist involvement or significant cost, such as structural movement indicators, water ingress pathways and hazardous service red flags. You get clearer decision-making information when you’re weighing up a purchase.
Yes. For slab homes, we look for tell-tale signs such as cracking patterns, step cracking in brickwork, uneven floors, and gaps around frames that can indicate movement. We also consider drainage and moisture conditions around the perimeter, because poor surface water control can contribute to soil movement and slab stress over time. Where the risk appears elevated, we’ll recommend appropriate specialist follow-up.
Extensions can introduce movement and water entry points where new work meets older structures. We commonly look for cracking at junctions, roofline changes that create leak-prone valleys, and wet-area upgrades with poor waterproofing. We also check whether altered ventilation or drainage has increased subfloor dampness. If we see indicators of structural or moisture problems, we’ll outline the likely causes and next steps.
We can identify visible red flags and unsafe conditions, such as damaged wiring, questionable connections, deteriorated outlets, or signs of overheating at accessible components. We don’t issue electrical compliance certificates, but our findings help you decide whether you need a licensed electrician to assess the switchboard, circuits and any DIY-looking work before settlement. Safety hazards are treated as high priority in our reporting.
Still have questions?
Contact us for more informationCall ACE Building and Pest Inspections on 0413 163 187 for a defects-focused inspection that targets serious structural, moisture and safety issues commonly found in Essendon North homes.