Melbourne homes and apartments cop sharp weather swings, older brickwork, and lots of wet areas—minor cracks, leaks, and drainage issues can escalate fast if you miss them.
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We look for hairline, step, and widening cracks in plaster and masonry, plus signs of movement around doors, windows, and cornices. These defects can indicate settlement, moisture-related swelling, or ongoing movement that may worsen and affect finishes or structure.
We assess visible signs of leaking and waterproofing failure such as swollen skirting, bubbling paint, silicone breakdown, grout cracking, and moisture staining. Minor defects in wet areas commonly progress to hidden timber damage, mould, and costly re-tiling or waterproofing work.
We check for loose or drummy tiles, cracked grout, ponding water, damaged junctions at door thresholds, and early signs of water tracking at edges. Small defects here can quickly become concrete spalling, internal leaks, or strata-level disputes in Melbourne apartments.
We inspect window frames, weep holes, sealant lines, and obvious gaps that let water and draughts in. In Melbourne’s changeable weather, small seal failures can lead to internal staining, timber swelling, and premature deterioration around openings.
We look for overflow marks, disconnected downpipes, blocked gutters (where visible), and poor discharge points. Minor drainage defects can cause damp walls, subfloor moisture issues, and foundation movement—often starting with one overflow or damp patch.
We note loose handrails, trip hazards, deteriorated caulking, minor timber decay, and other small maintenance defects. These issues can affect liveability and compliance, and they’re usually inexpensive to fix early but costly if ignored.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Minor defects are small issues that don’t look dramatic yet but can worsen with Melbourne’s moisture and temperature changes. Think cracked grout in a shower, early staining under a window, drummy balcony tiles, small cracks around door frames, or a downpipe that discharges too close to a wall. We identify these items, explain the likely cause, and prioritise what should be fixed first.
Yes. Melbourne apartments often show minor defects around balconies, sliding door thresholds, bathrooms, and window seals. Even if some elements are strata responsibility, knowing what’s failing helps you raise the right maintenance request and understand potential costs. We document defect locations and visible impacts so you can discuss them clearly with the agent, owner, or owners corporation before you commit.
We do. The report separates defects by risk and likelihood of escalation, not just by appearance. For example, a small ceiling stain under a bathroom is treated differently to a hairline plaster crack in a stable internal wall. You’ll get practical guidance on what to fix immediately, what to schedule, and what to monitor over time so you can plan spending sensibly.
They can be, especially in older masonry where age, prior renovations, drainage changes, or ground movement may contribute. The key is pattern and location: step cracking in brickwork, cracks that re-open after patching, or cracks near openings can mean more than simple shrinkage. We check for associated signs like sticking doors, uneven floors, and moisture to help interpret the risk.
We can’t see through walls, but we’re trained to look for the tells that often sit around cosmetic updates—new silicone over old gaps, patchy paint textures, inconsistent skirting lines, and staining patterns that reappear. We document anything that suggests a recurring issue and recommend further checks where appropriate, particularly around wet areas, balconies, windows, and drainage.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the small Melbourne-specific issues—wet areas, balconies, cracks, and drainage—so you can act early. Call 0413 163 187.