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7 Most Common Issues Found During an Adelaide House Inspection

Adelaide rising damp damage

A home inspection is a useful way to get an independent view as to the state of your most valuable asset – your home! Most people understand that a building inspection is important during the buying process. However, this is not the only time you should consider a review. It is a great idea to get your home regularly inspected to help uncover any hidden problems that could develop into more significant issues down the line.

Here at Select Building Inspections, we are experts at inspecting homes. Here are seven of the most common issues we discover in our customers’ homes:

Footing Breached

Have you ever wondered what your home rests on? We all know that newer houses are typically built upon foundations and at the bottom of the foundation is a footing. This footing is usually a large concrete structure that helps spread the weight of the house out across the ground below. This footing and slab can be an easy route for termites to enter your home. Good construction practice is to leave 75mm of the slab exposed. This gap helps prevent infestation and reduces the risks of moisture damage and salt efflorescence. It also allows inspection of the footing for a breach. If a termite barrier/management system is installed, the clearance may be reduced to 25mm. Our inspectors will help find any deficiencies in this area and make recommendations as to whether a pest control company or damp-proof contractor should be called in.

Garden against house

Does your garden come right up to the walls of your home? Or do you have a pathway between your home and the start of the garden? If your home falls into the first category, you may face issues in the future. The soil from your garden acts like a big sponge when it rains. Having this soil in contact with the walls and foundations of your property increases the risks of damp problems, salt efflorescence, and termite infestations. If you face this situation, it is recommended that a perimeter pathway is installed between the property and the garden to help disperse water away from the property. Licenses pest control and damp-proof contractors can make a full recommendation.
air conditioner discharge pipe example

Air Conditioner condenser discharge pipe

Another quite common problem is incorrect air conditioner condenser installation. Just as you plumb the drainage pipes from your sinks, toilets, showers, and baths into a proper drain, your air conditioning should also be plumbed correctly. Unfortunately, some contractors skip this step to save time on the installation of a condenser and simply leave it to drain onto your pathway. This leak can lead to severe damp issues and creates a conducive environment for termites to thrive. If you face this problem, we recommended contacting a licensed air conditioning technician for evaluation and repair.

Poor Fall to the Ground Levels

Not all homes are built on areas of flat land. A house may be built in a dip or on a slope. If the land has not been landscaped properly, this may lead to build-ups of water in wet weather. An inspection should be performed during a period of rainfall to see if the water is entering the subfloor, or ponding is occurring at perimeter walls. If this is an issue, a plumber or landscaper should be called in to help assess the potential problems and rectify them as appropriate. Drains should also be regularly checked by a plumber and kept clear of debris so as to allow surface water to be carried away from the home.
roof mortar cracks

Roof mortar cracks

At some point, older properties are likely to start developing cracks in the Mortar on the roof. While these cracks may not look too serious, they will allow water to begin leaking into the roof of the property in periods of heavy rain. We, therefore, recommend a licensed roofing company performs a full inspection and makes recommendations for repair. Be careful when checking out the state of your roof. This task will almost certainly require some work at height, so is best left to the professionals.

Rotten Fascia’s

If you start to notice timber beginning to rot on the fascia of your home, it may be time to call in a carpenter. Fungal decay is usually caused by a leaking gutter or poorly installed flashings. It may be tempting to simply paint over the wood. Do not do this; all you are doing is putting off the inevitable. A licensed carpenter should be called in to replace the wood, while a plumber can check the gutter fall.

rotted wooden house fascias
excess moisture from the shower

Excess moisture from the shower

It is very easy to miss leaks caused by your shower. As the shower cubicle is normally tiled, you have no idea what is happening behind the tiles. Home inspectors can check moisture levels on the wall linings of the shower. If the level is too high, this may be a sign of a leak in the shower recess, plumbing problems inside the wall cavity, or a damaged waterproof membrane. If you suspect issues in this area, you should contact a licensed plumber, bathroom builder, or waterproofing contractor to perform a full evaluation and repairs.

These are just a few of the common problems our licensed inspectors come across in their daily inspections. For a full inspection of your property, give us a call on 0475 555 039 today. Our friendly team of inspectors are here to help.

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