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Heatherton homes often include older brick veneer builds and renovated properties where movement, drainage problems and DIY alterations can hide serious structural and safety defects.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We assess crack types and locations in brickwork, plaster and external render, and check for indicators of footing movement such as uneven floors, racked door frames and separated cornices. This helps distinguish cosmetic cracking from defects that can affect stability and resale value.
Where accessible, we inspect subfloor ventilation, dampness, bearer and joist condition, and signs of timber decay that can compromise floors. We also look for moisture pathways from poor site drainage, leaking pipes and wet-area failures that commonly trigger major defects over time.
We check roof framing for sagging, alterations, inadequate bracing and signs of long-term leaks. We also assess roof coverings, flashings, valleys and gutters for defects that can lead to internal water damage, mould, ceiling collapse and electrical hazards.
We examine walls for bulging, stepped cracking, articulation joint failure and movement around openings. We also check lintels and structural supports where visible, because failures here can indicate serious load path issues, especially after renovations or window/door enlargements.
We look for symptoms of waterproofing failure in bathrooms, laundries and balconies such as swelling skirting, drummy tiles, staining and persistent damp odours. Wet-area defects often become major issues because hidden leaks can damage framing and subfloors before they’re noticed.
While not a substitute for specialist compliance testing, we identify visible hazards such as exposed wiring, unsafe DIY connections, missing safety switches where observed, active leaks, corrosion and inadequate overflow relief discharge signs. These items can indicate broader non-compliance and urgent safety risks.
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Get Major Building Defects as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Heatherton, we often pay close attention to movement-related cracking, drainage that sends water back toward the house, and roof leaks that have been patched rather than properly fixed. Older homes can also have subfloor moisture issues and ageing roof components, while renovated homes may hide structural changes or wet-area waterproofing failures. A major defects inspection targets defects that affect safety, integrity and costly repairs.
Yes. A major defects inspection is focused on serious issues that affect structural performance, safety or property value. It prioritises significant cracking, unstable elements, water ingress with damage, and visible hazards rather than minor maintenance items. You’ll still receive practical context, but the report is written to help you make a buy/no-buy decision or plan repairs, not just create a general maintenance list.
We can assess the cracking pattern, width, location and related symptoms such as sticking doors, uneven floors and separation at joints to form a view on likely movement severity. However, confirming foundation failure can require engineering assessment, soil information and sometimes monitoring over time. If what we see suggests a structural concern, we’ll clearly recommend the right next step, such as an engineer’s advice.
They can. Renovations and extensions can introduce defects if structural walls are altered, lintels are undersized, roof drainage is changed, or wet areas are moved without correct waterproofing and falls. We look for signs of altered load paths, mismatched levels, cracking around new openings, and moisture indicators near bathrooms and laundries. These checks are especially important where work looks newer than the rest of the home.
We inspect roofing and visible roof structure for defect indicators, and we note visible plumbing and electrical safety concerns that could represent major hazards. Formal electrical and plumbing compliance testing is performed by licensed trades, but our inspection helps you identify where the risk is highest and where specialist testing should be booked. This approach reduces the chance of missing serious issues during the buying process.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on structural movement, leak-driven damage and safety hazards common in renovated and established Heatherton homes. Call 0485 857 077 to organise an inspection.