Cracks to walls are unsightly, but they may also be a sign of severe structural issues afoot in a house. So, how do you tell if a small crack will turn into a huge major crack on your lounge room wall as time passes?
The freshly-painted walls you admired in the open-for-inspection may be concealing a possible structural defect or a fracture.
It is vital to understand whether a wall crack is easily repaired with a little bit of strategically placed filler along with some paint or if expensive structural repairs in your house are called for.
Underestimate the seriousness of cracks in walls and you may end up with spending thousands to repair
Properties may have structural issues such as cracks in foundation/walls, roof leaks, uneven floors that can be expensive to fix
Pests such as termites, rodents or ants can cause significant damage to a property & may be difficult to detect without a professional inspection.
Leaks or blockages in the plumbing system can cause water damage & may require costly repairs or replacements.
Some properties may have compliance issues such as unapproved structures or additions, which cause problems with local council regulations & affect property’s value.
Major components of a building, including the exterior, ceilings, walls, floors, windows, doors inspection of any structural building defects.
Poor insulation or ventilation can cause energy inefficiencies, leading to high heating & cooling costs for residents
1. Interior wall cracks for example cracks at the plasterboard or gyprock;
2. Exterior wall cracks like cracks in the brickwork, surface or rendering of walls;
3. Cracks in foundation walls.
All three could be severe and symptomatic of structural collapse. How severe the issue is can only be evaluated by studying:
– The positioning of the wall crack;
– Whether it’s a jagged, flat or vertical wall crack;
– Whether there’s separation from the materials used to build the walls or separation of the wall out of the frame;
– Exactly what led to the wall crack;
Zig-zag fractures or stair-step cracks from the mortar line from the brick walls of your premises may point to a structural flaw on your premises.
The issue may be especially serious when you’ve got a whole separation from the cement or mortar between bricks.
Reactive soils are clay soils that swell when wet and shrink when they are dry. Non-reactive soil types include gravel and sand. Soil testing can help in identifying if your soil is responsive and may be contributing to the wall cracks.
Climate and seasonal adjustments, like drought and flooding, can lead to dramatic contraction and growth or changes in the water table below a property resulting in wall breaking.
Using heavy machines, vibration, and excessive mechanical compaction of the ground or hammering (using explosives to excavate) can cause your walls to crack.
In the same way, ground tremors and earthquakes, even although a rather rare incident in Australia, may also donate to wall cracks emerging
. Wall breaking may also happen in situations where your house or portion of it (eg. An extension) was poorly-designed or assembled
. Too much weight over a load-bearing wall may bring about wall cracks.
Moisture meters are used to detect the presence & levels of moisture within building materials such as wood, drywall, & concrete. These meters help identify areas of potential water damage, leaks, or moisture intrusion, which leads to structural issues or mold growth.
Infrared camera building inspections identify problems by viewing differences in temperature on a gradient scale through thermal imaging. his is a non-invasive temperature measurement tool that can keep you from spending money on repairs in the future.
A borescope is a flexible tube with a camera and light attached to it. It’s used to visually inspect areas that are difficult to access, such as inside wall cavities, ductwork, or pipes. By using borescope, our inspectors can examine the condition of hidden components and identify any defects or damages.
Termatrac’s detection technology is unique to the market, designed and specifically calibrated to detect termites and other insect activity. The radar technology confirms movement by penetrating through most building materials to locate and track termite and other insect activity.
We are committed to providing you with the highest quality building and pest inspection services. To hire our building inspection services in Melbourne, contact our team at 0450 632 867 and book an inspection today.
We provide building inspections throughout the Melbourne area whether in the Western, Eastern, or Northern suburbs, we are there. Make an informed decision, contact us on 0450 632 867 for free advice, or to book an inspection today. Trust us to provide you with the most reliable and professional building inspection services in Melbourne.
House Inspections are an established registered building inspection company run by ex-builders, operating throughout Victoria. We offer a professional service, with full comprehensive reports that are easy to understand.Dont risk your investment dealing with dodgy building inspection companies saying they are registered when in fact they are not.
