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Footscray homes range from older weatherboards and brick cottages to renovated terraces and warehouse-style conversions—often with altered walls, restumping work, and moisture exposure near the Maribyrnong. A targeted structural defects inspection helps you spot serious movement and load issues before they become costly and unsafe.
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We assess signs of subsidence, heave, and differential movement by examining cracking patterns, floor levels, door/window alignment, and external ground conditions. This helps distinguish settlement from more serious movement that can compromise walls, frames, and services.
Where accessible, we inspect the subfloor for deteriorated stumps, inadequate packers, sagging bearers/joists, moisture damage, and insufficient ventilation. These issues can drive uneven floors and ongoing movement, especially after partial restumping or DIY repairs.
We look for indicators that structural walls have been removed or modified without adequate support, including oversized openings, cracking above lintels, and poorly installed beams. This is particularly relevant in Footscray renovations where open-plan changes are common.
We check external and internal masonry for stepped cracking, bulging, separation, and mortar deterioration. These can indicate footing movement, wall tie issues, or moisture ingress that may require structural intervention rather than patching.
We inspect accessible roof spaces for sagging ridgelines, cracked or modified trusses, undersized or cut members, and inadequate bracing. Roof structure defects can lead to ongoing distortion of ceilings and walls and can increase risk under wind loads.
We identify moisture pathways that can create or worsen structural defects—leaking wet areas, failed waterproofing indicators, overflow points, and poor site drainage. Persistent moisture can weaken timber, corrode fixings, and soften supporting ground around footings.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Footscray, we often see movement-related cracking linked to footing performance, uneven floors from subfloor support issues, and structural changes from renovations (like removed walls or oversized openings). Moisture can also drive major defects—subfloor dampness, timber decay, and softened ground near footings from poor drainage or leaking plumbing. We focus on identifying the cause and the severity, not just the visible damage.
We assess the crack type, location, direction, and whether it aligns with other movement indicators such as sticking doors, sloping floors, separated cornices, or roof distortion. Hairline plaster cracking can be minor, but stepped brick cracking, widening gaps, or recurring cracks after repairs can indicate structural movement. We also consider drainage and moisture sources that can drive ongoing movement rather than one-off settlement.
Yes, where safe and accessible. The roof space inspection focuses on framing integrity, bracing, and any modifications or damage that could affect load transfer. The subfloor check looks at stumps, bearers, joists, ventilation, and moisture impacts. If access is restricted by low clearance, stored items, or sealed subfloors, we note the limitation and explain what that means for risk and next steps.
They can be. Conversions may involve changed load paths, concealed steel or timber members, and moisture issues where older structures meet new linings. Newer townhouses can still present defects such as slab movement, poor drainage around the perimeter, or framing issues in roof spaces. Our inspection targets signs of structural stress and workmanship red flags, and we advise if further assessment by an engineer is warranted.
First, don’t rely on cosmetic patching. We prioritise the defect and explain the likely cause—movement, altered supports, moisture, or roof framing issues. For significant movement or load-bearing concerns, the next step is usually a structural engineer for design advice and repair scope. If moisture is contributing, you may need drainage, plumbing, or waterproofing rectification to stop the defect from progressing.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchChoose ACE Building and Pest Inspections for a defect-focused structural assessment tailored to Footscray’s mix of older homes and renovated layouts. Call 0413 163 187 to arrange your inspection.