- Water stains, corrosion or mould
Look for any signs of water leaks, especially near wet areas. This also includes cabinets, all cabinets should be checked to see if there is a smell of damp, mould or mildew. Any damp smells can be an indication of water leaks or rising damp. Mould can look harmless if it’s been recently cleaned but finding it can be dangerous, mould is bad for your health it releases allergens into the air, it can cause allergic reactions and intensify respiratory health issues, such as asthma.
- Sagging ceilings
Look at the ceilings to see if they have a ‘parachute’ appearance. This can be done by shining a torch across the ceilings, which will show up all deflections and defects in the ceiling sheets. The most common reasons for this are, water damage, age, termites, poor construction or structural movement. Unfortunately, it’s usually never an easy fix.
- Cracking walls
The internal and external walls should be checked to see if there are any cracks. The internal wall plastering can be easily checked for fine hairline cracks, the cracks can worsen if you try to put up wall fixtures; the plaster can crack further and even come loose. If they’re found in one area of the property, they’re usually found elsewhere. Properties with cracks greater than 2.0mm in width should be inspected by a professional
- Asses the roof downpipes and soak wells
Do a quick walk around the perimeter of the home to check that all roof pipes are discharging into soak wells and not just onto the ground. You should also look for any signs of additional water flow around the roof downpipe bases, as this often indicates that the soak wells are not well sized or require cleaning out. Fixing these problems on an established property can be sometimes expensive, paving, concrete and garden beds may need to be excavated to install the correct drains.
- Look for drain holes on the external walls
This is important for multi-storey properties. There should be small holes above and below window and door frames and along the upper levels. The holes will usually be spaced approximately 120cms apart from each other. These holes allow water to escape from cavity walls. Without these holes, water can breach the internal walls of the home and cause ongoing and expensive upkeep, so make sure you have them.
For a quality estimate for larger renovations, contact citiwidegroup.com.au
