Fitzroy’s terrace houses, older shopfronts and renovated warehouses often hide small faults—like damp-prone brickwork, movement cracks and patchy renovations—that can snowball into expensive repairs if missed.
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We assess fine cracking in brick walls, rendered surfaces and internal plaster, noting patterns that suggest settlement, thermal movement or past patch repairs. In Fitzroy’s older stock, early identification helps you decide whether simple re-pointing and monitoring is enough or if further structural assessment is sensible.
We look for deteriorated sealants, failed caulking, gaps at frames, and staining that can signal water ingress. These are common minor defects in tightly built inner-city homes where wind-driven rain and ageing joinery can lead to damp patches and timber swelling.
We check visible grout and silicone condition, water staining, loose tiles, soft skirtings, and signs of inadequate ventilation. Minor waterproofing failures often start as small edge gaps or cracking and can quietly damage subfloors and wall linings if not addressed early.
Where access allows, we inspect for blocked vents, damp soil, minor timber deterioration and condensation signs. Limited airflow is a frequent contributor to musty odours and minor mould issues, particularly in older Fitzroy homes with shallow subfloors.
We inspect visible gutters, downpipes, overflow points and flashing junctions for early rust, sagging, overflow staining and loose fixings. Small drainage defects are a common cause of recurring damp marks and paint failure on upper walls and ceilings.
We identify common “minor but telling” renovation defects such as uneven floors, poorly finished skirting junctions, door binding, unsealed penetrations, and inconsistent wet-area detailing. These items can point to rushed work and help you target questions to the vendor or builder before you commit.
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Get Minor Property Defects as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Fitzroy, we often see early moisture-related issues (failing sealants, damp staining, peeling paint), fine cracking in plaster and masonry, and drainage problems like leaking downpipes or gutter overflow marks. Renovations can also introduce minor defects such as poor wet-area silicone, uneven flooring transitions, and unsealed penetrations. These issues are usually manageable, but they can escalate if left unattended.
Yes. Renovations can conceal small faults that later become expensive—especially around bathrooms, kitchens, balconies and roof plumbing details. We focus on visible indicators such as grout and silicone condition, staining, swelling to skirtings, door binding, and inconsistent finishing that suggests moisture or movement. The goal is to flag practical maintenance items and identify where specialist follow-up may be needed.
A Minor Property Defects inspection is a targeted service aimed at smaller faults that commonly get missed or dismissed. We still assess the building in a methodical way, but the reporting emphasis is on maintenance-level defects, early warning signs and workmanship issues rather than a broad, top-to-bottom assessment. If we observe indicators of a larger problem, we’ll clearly recommend the right next step for further investigation.
Yes. Fitzroy properties can have limited cross-ventilation and tight side setbacks, which makes moisture control harder. We look for mould-prone conditions, visible condensation indicators, peeling paint, swollen trims, and poor exhaust/venting signs in wet areas. We also note drainage and sealing defects that contribute to dampness. Where access allows, we’ll check subfloor ventilation as well.
You’ll receive a detailed report that lists defects, explains why they matter, and prioritises them by urgency. Use it to build a repair and maintenance plan, request quotes for the specific items identified, and ask targeted questions of the vendor or agent. For buyers, it can also support negotiations by clearly documenting the issues rather than relying on general impressions.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the small Fitzroy-specific issues—damp entry points, movement cracks and renovation finishing faults—so you can act early. Call 0413 163 187 to arrange an inspection.