Fitzroy’s mix of Victorian terraces, warehouse conversions and older walk-ups can hide damp behind solid brick, ageing roof plumbing and movement from reactive clay soils—our pre-purchase inspection helps you buy with your eyes open.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We check for moisture staining, salts, blistering paint and damp odours in common Fitzroy terrace wall types, and use moisture indications where appropriate. This helps identify rising damp, bridged damp-proof courses and lateral moisture that can damage plaster, floors and joinery.
We inspect accessible roof areas, looking at condition of roof cladding, ridge capping, flashings, parapet walls and box gutters. These are frequent leak sources in older inner-city homes and can cause hidden ceiling damage and mould if not maintained.
Where access allows, we assess subfloor ventilation, stumps/bearers/joists, ant capping and signs of moisture-related timber deterioration. Even without full subfloor access, we look for bouncy floors, cupping, skirting gaps and musty conditions that indicate problems below.
We document cracks and signs of movement in walls, ceilings and junctions between old and new sections. We note patterns that can suggest footing movement, altered load paths after renovations, or water-related ground changes typical of Melbourne’s reactive clay soils.
We look for tell-tale signs of waterproofing failure such as swollen architraves, loose tiles, deteriorated grout/silicone, leaking shower bases and moisture impacts to adjacent rooms. In apartments and conversions, we also check accessible balconies and thresholds for drainage and ponding indicators.
We visually check accessible electrical and gas-related indicators (without invasive testing) and identify safety concerns such as damaged cabling, non-compliant DIY work, inadequate ventilation to gas appliances and smoke alarm placement/condition. These items can affect insurability, occupancy and immediate repair priorities.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Yes. Fitzroy terraces often show moisture ingress through parapets and older roof plumbing, rising damp in solid masonry, and timber floor issues linked to limited subfloor ventilation. Renovations can also hide removed walls, altered drainage, or poorly detailed flashings around skylights and rear extensions. A pre-purchase inspection documents these risks and helps you decide what needs immediate attention versus normal age-related wear.
We can inspect the accessible areas of the individual lot and any common property we can legally and physically access at the time. In conversions, we focus on moisture entry points, balcony/terrace drainage where applicable, internal cracking, window sealing, and wet area condition. For strata buildings, we note issues you should raise with the owners corporation, such as waterproofing, external masonry and roof drainage history.
The report gives you evidence-based items to discuss with the agent/vendor, including roof leaks, active moisture, unsafe electrical indicators, deteriorated wet areas, and significant cracking. It also helps you quantify likely near-term costs, so you can negotiate a price adjustment, request rectification, or set conditions for further specialist checks. It’s a practical tool for reducing financial surprises after settlement.
Tight side passages and rear laneways can limit access to external walls, drainage points and subfloor entries. Where access is restricted, we focus on internal indicators—moisture patterns, floor levels, cracking, ventilation and mould—then clearly note any limitations in the report. We’ll also recommend sensible next steps, such as requesting access to specific areas or arranging specialist assessments if a risk is identified.
Book as early as you can, ideally during your cooling-off or conditional period so you have time to act on the findings. A contract review can highlight legal or planning matters, while the inspection addresses the building’s condition and safety. Together they give you a clearer picture. If timelines are tight, call 0413 163 187 and we’ll help you plan the inspection to fit your buying window in Fitzroy.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the defect patterns seen in Fitzroy’s older brick homes and renovated stock, delivering clear priorities you can use for negotiations. Call 0413 163 187.