Kensington’s mix of older weatherboard homes, Victorian-era terraces and updated units can hide small faults—like hairline plaster cracking, damp patches near wet areas, or drainage quirks—that quickly become expensive if you’re renovating or renting out.
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We check for early indicators such as bubbling paint, swollen skirting, silicone gaps, grout deterioration and staining around showers, vanities and troughs. These minor symptoms often point to slow leaks or poor waterproofing details that can damage wall linings and cabinetry if left unresolved.
We assess minor cracking patterns, previous patching and paint touch-ups to help distinguish cosmetic issues from cracking that may suggest movement, moisture, or poor junction detailing. This is useful in Kensington homes where older plaster meets newer renovations.
We test accessible doors and windows for sticking, misalignment, failed seals and worn hardware. These defects can indicate minor frame movement, moisture swelling or installation issues, and they often lead to drafts, water ingress or security problems if ignored.
We look for clues such as ponding near walls, blocked overflow relief gully visibility, downpipe discharge issues and surface levels that encourage water to sit against the building. Small drainage faults commonly drive damp smells, mould and timber decay over time.
Where access allows, we identify signs of poor airflow, moisture accumulation and early timber deterioration. In older Kensington houses with tight clearances, minor ventilation shortcomings can quickly translate into musty conditions and ongoing maintenance costs.
We note accessible indicators such as gutter sagging, staining under eaves, overflow marks and downpipe connection issues. These are often “small” defects that become internal ceiling staining and rot if not addressed before the next period of heavy rain.
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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.
Minor defects are small issues that don’t usually mean immediate structural failure but can worsen if ignored. In Kensington, common examples include hairline plaster cracking, minor damp staining near bathrooms or laundries, silicone and grout failures, sticking doors or windows, small drainage issues near external walls, and early gutter overflow signs. The goal is to catch these early so they stay small and affordable to fix.
Yes. Minor defects inspections are well suited to spotting the tell-tale signs of rushed finishes, such as uneven patching, paint applied over damp marks, poorly sealed wet-area junctions, and inconsistent door or window alignment. While we don’t perform destructive testing, we document what is visible, explain what it may indicate underneath, and recommend practical next steps where a specialist check is warranted.
Yes. For apartments and townhouses, we focus on the lot you’re buying or maintaining and assess accessible areas for minor defects like moisture around wet areas, window seal issues, balcony door thresholds, and internal cracking or movement signs. We can also flag items that may involve common property (for example, external water entry points) so you can raise them with the owners corporation or manager.
Kensington properties can have tight side access and older stormwater layouts, which makes it easier for water to pool near walls or for downpipe discharge to be poorly managed. We often see early symptoms like musty odours, skirting swelling, and staining at lower wall sections. Identifying these minor signs early helps prevent recurring mould, damaged plaster, and ongoing repainting costs.
A minor defects inspection is narrower and more targeted: it concentrates on smaller issues that affect maintenance, finishes and early-stage deterioration, rather than a comprehensive assessment of the whole structure and every major component. If we see signs that a “minor” defect may be linked to a larger concern, we’ll clearly note it and recommend whether a full building inspection or specialist assessment should be arranged.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the small defects Kensington properties often hide—moisture clues, drainage issues and finish failures—so you can fix the right things first. Call 0413 163 187 to book.