Essendon North has a mix of older brick homes, updated weatherboards and unit blocks where DIY renovations, ageing electrics and tired balconies can create real safety risks—especially around stairs, wet areas and garages.
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We check for the presence and condition of smoke alarms in key areas, note if units appear outdated or poorly located, and identify obvious issues such as missing alarms or improper installation. This matters because non-functioning or incorrectly placed alarms reduce warning time during a fire and may not meet Victorian expectations for residential properties.
We assess accessible internal and external stairs for uneven risers, loose treads, inadequate handrails, and balustrades that flex or feel insecure. These are common hazards in older Essendon North homes and renovated entries where cosmetic work hasn’t addressed structural safety.
We inspect transitions between rooms, external door thresholds, lifted flooring edges, cracked paving and uneven paths. We also note hazards around garages and side access where lighting and surface condition can be overlooked, increasing the risk of falls.
We look for visible signs of electrical risk such as damaged power points, loose fittings, unsafe DIY wiring indicators, scorched outlets, and older-style switchboards that may need upgrading. While this isn’t an electrical compliance test, it helps you identify when a licensed electrician should be engaged urgently.
We check bathrooms, laundries and external wet zones for signs that increase slip and injury risk—poor drainage, water ingress, degraded sealants, and swollen or soft substrates. In Essendon North, older bathrooms and quick refreshes can hide deteriorated flooring that becomes unsafe underfoot.
We assess accessible balconies, decks, verandahs and external steps for movement, decay, rusting fixings and unsafe edge protection. These areas are high consequence: a small defect can become a serious fall hazard, particularly where older structures have been resurfaced without addressing underlying deterioration.
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Get Safety Hazards as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Essendon North, we often see hazards linked to older construction and mixed-quality renovations. Common issues include loose stair handrails, uneven front steps, slippery external paving, and balconies or decks with movement or deteriorated fixings. Inside, outdated or damaged power points, poor lighting in side accessways, and wet-area deterioration can also create real injury risk. Our inspection highlights what’s unsafe and what to address first.
This inspection is visual and non-invasive, so it does not replace formal electrical or gas compliance testing by licensed trades. We do check for visible warning signs—damaged outlets, unsafe fittings, signs of overheating, or concerns around older switchboards—and we clearly recommend when a licensed electrician or gas fitter should be engaged. It’s a practical way to identify risks early and avoid surprises after settlement.
Where access is available, we’ll inspect balconies, external stairs, walkways and other accessible common-area elements for obvious safety concerns such as loose balustrades, deteriorated decking, uneven surfaces and trip points. For strata properties, some items may require body corporate approval or separate access arrangements. We’ll document what we can see and advise what to request from the owners corporation if further investigation is warranted.
Renovations can improve appearance while masking risks. We see this when new tiles are laid over compromised substrates, when stair upgrades don’t address handrail height or stability, or when DIY electrical work leaves unsafe fittings behind. In Essendon North, where many homes have been updated in stages, different eras of work can clash. Our inspection focuses on the practical hazards that affect daily use, not just how things look.
You’ll receive a detailed report with photos and clear descriptions of each safety hazard found, why it matters, and suggested next steps. We separate urgent risks from lower-priority items so you can plan repairs logically. If an issue needs a specialist (for example, an electrician for further testing), we note that clearly. This makes it easier to brief trades and budget accurately before moving in.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on real-world safety risks common in Essendon North properties—stairs, balconies, wet areas and visible electrical red flags. Call 0413 163 187 to arrange an inspection.