Fitzroy’s Victorian terraces, converted warehouses and renovated walk-ups often hide movement, moisture damage and non-compliant alterations behind fresh finishes—our defects inspection is built to expose the big risks.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We inspect brickwork and internal finishes for cracking patterns, step-cracks, bulging walls, and misaligned openings that may indicate footing movement or party wall issues common in older Fitzroy terraces.
Where access allows, we assess subfloor ventilation, timber supports, moisture staining and deterioration. This matters in Fitzroy where older timber floors can sag or bounce from long-term moisture or inadequate supports after renovations.
We check roof coverings, flashings, valleys, ridge capping, and visible roof framing for defects that cause leaks and structural stress. Inner-city properties often rely on complex junctions between old roofs and newer extensions.
We look for damp-affected masonry, salt efflorescence, blistering paint and skirting damage, plus likely moisture entry points. This helps identify whether moisture is from ground contact, poor drainage, or failed waterproofing.
We assess visible plumbing, stormwater discharge points, overflow relief gully position where visible, and signs of chronic leaks. Poor falls, blocked drains and ageing pipework can drive repeated moisture damage and settlement.
While not a full electrical certification, we identify obvious hazards such as damaged wiring, unsafe fittings, DIY additions, and non-compliant wet-area fixtures. These are common defect drivers after fast renovations and can pose immediate safety risks.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Fitzroy we often see movement-related cracking in brickwork, moisture problems (rising damp, leaking bathrooms, roof or gutter failures), and defects linked to renovations—such as removed or altered load-bearing walls, undersized beams, or poorly detailed extensions. We also regularly find drainage issues that keep subfloors damp and accelerate timber deterioration. A major defects inspection focuses on these high-impact risks.
We assess crack location, width, pattern, and how it relates to openings, joins between old and new work, and signs like sticking doors or sloping floors. While some plaster cracking is cosmetic, step-cracking in masonry or progressive cracking near corners can suggest movement. If indicators point to structural causes, we’ll recommend the right next step, such as an engineer assessment, before you proceed.
Yes. In many inner-city homes, access can be restricted by low subfloors, stored items, or finished basements. We still assess foundations indirectly through movement indicators inside and out, levels and deflection signs, and site drainage conditions. Where access is available, we inspect subfloor supports and visible footings. If we can’t safely access an area, we document the limitation and the risk it may create.
We look for visible symptoms (efflorescence, crumbling mortar, peeling paint, skirting damage), then trace likely pathways such as ground levels bridging damp courses, poor subfloor ventilation, failing flashings, and wet-area waterproofing defects. Fitzroy’s older brickwork can hold moisture for long periods, so we focus on evidence of persistent damp rather than one-off condensation. We also highlight where drainage improvements could reduce ongoing damage.
A major defects inspection is more targeted: it prioritises defects that significantly affect safety, structural integrity, and property value. We concentrate on high-consequence items—movement, serious moisture damage, roof structure issues, and major compliance red flags—rather than listing every minor maintenance item. For Fitzroy buyers weighing older homes or substantial renovations, this approach helps you focus on what could change your decision or your budget.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchCall ACE Building and Pest Inspections on 0413 163 187 for a defects-focused inspection that targets Fitzroy’s common renovation and moisture risks, with clear priorities for repairs and next steps.