Northcote’s mix of Victorian terraces, weatherboards and renovated homes can hide gradual floor movement under carpet, polished boards and new extensions. A digital floor level survey pinpoints where floors have dropped, heaved or twisted so you can act on facts before you build or buy.
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We take readings along consistent points through hallways, living rooms, bedrooms and door thresholds to show how level changes across the home. This matters because the direction and rate of change helps separate general age-related settlement from more localised issues that may need targeted repairs.
Where Northcote homes have been extended, we compare levels across the join between the original footprint and the newer build. It helps identify differential movement that can stress plaster, cornices, tiling and glazing, and it gives you objective evidence before renovating or negotiating a purchase.
We focus on areas that commonly show movement first—near fireplaces, wet areas, external walls, and under heavy point loads. Detecting a localised drop can indicate issues such as stump degradation, bearer deflection, subfloor moisture impacts, or past re-stumping that was not levelled evenly.
The survey highlights whether floors fall toward a particular external wall, downpipe line, or low point in the yard. Understanding the pattern is crucial because it can indicate moisture-related ground changes, drainage influences, or structural components moving as a system rather than an isolated defect.
Many Northcote properties have timber floors over stumps or piers, sometimes combined with slab sections in newer areas. We plan the reading layout to suit the construction so the results are meaningful across different floor systems and clearly show where transitions create unevenness.
You receive a report that explains the level variations in plain language and highlights areas that may warrant further investigation. Where appropriate, we outline practical next steps such as checking subfloor supports, improving drainage, or engaging a structural engineer for design-level advice.
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Many Northcote homes were built in stages and sit on timber subfloors that can change over time due to moisture variation, drainage issues, or stump movement. A digital floor level survey measures the actual floor profile across rooms and thresholds, showing whether the slope is consistent (often gradual settlement) or localised (more suggestive of a support problem). It’s especially helpful before renovating or buying.
The survey provides accurate level data and highlights movement patterns, which is a strong starting point for decisions. However, re-stumping or underpinning depends on the underlying cause and the condition of supports, bearers, joists, and the ground. If the results show sharp drops or uneven zones, we’ll recommend the appropriate next step—often a subfloor inspection, targeted repairs, or an engineer’s assessment for structural design.
We work room by room and take digital readings at set points without needing to lift flooring. Small items may need to be moved to access key measurement lines, but we avoid disruption wherever possible. The goal is consistent coverage so the results are comparable across the home. Once readings are taken, we compile the data into a clear report showing variations and the likely implications.
A common issue is differential movement where the original timber floor meets a newer structure, particularly if the newer area is built differently or was levelled to a different datum. The survey can show a step, twist, or gradual fall across the junction and identify which side is moving more. That information helps you decide whether the issue is cosmetic, related to flooring/fit-off, or needs structural attention.
Use the level profile to guide design decisions before you commit to new floors, cabinetry, tiling, or door replacements. If the survey shows unevenness in key areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or long corridors, you can plan levelling strategies early and budget realistically. It also helps builders understand site conditions and reduces the risk of surprises once linings come off or new finishes go in.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchCall ACE Building and Pest Inspections on 0413 163 187 for precise floor level data that’s practical for Northcote’s older homes, renovations and extension junctions.