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| Building Inspection Tips |
A building inspector gives us some inside tips on house hunting
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Here are some tips from building inspector Howard Ryan that will help you check out potential problem areas while you are out house-hunting.
1
Be aware of gardens close to walls of a house. Watering can cause structural problems with the foundations.
2
Check the drainage around the house, particularly if the external ground is higher or equal to the internal floor level.
3
Make sure gardens do not cover vents on the outside of a house. This can lead to internal mildew attack.
4
Beware of large trees whose trunks are approximately two metres from the house. Tree roots can often cause cracking of walls and driveways.
5
Guttering and downpipes should be connected properly. If not, severe cracking and damp spots can be caused within the house.
6
Look for evidence of rising damp to the external and sub floor brickwork areas. Look for mildew growth at the base of the brickwork on external walls and also flaking paintwork.
7
Internally you can detect dampness by the appearance of black spots on walls and ceilings. Other evidence includes carpet rotting near skirting boards. This can be expensive to rectify and is usually seen in showers, laundries and kitchen areas. Look out for freshly painted walls. Are they covering the problem up?
8
Look out for rotting timbers under and around the shower area within the dwelling. A leaky shower could affect wall frame timbers. Check that doors and windows close and open as they should and that the plumbing works okay.
9
Look out for structural movement. An indication of this is signs of cracking in the external and internal walls, especially around cornices. Cracks around doors and windows are common and are not as serious.
10
Larger cracks that follow the course of the brickwork are serious and may indicate that the problem will have to be solved by under-pinning the corner of the house and/or by constructing a retaining wall. These solutions are expensive.
Note: Before you buy you should get a professional pre-purchase inspection carried out on your prospective home.
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Cost
Pre sale inspection from $95
Building inspection from $195
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More Info
Contact: H & K Ryan & Associates Building Consultants
PO Box 171
Blacktown, NSW 2148
Ph: (02) 9626 7411 Fax: (02) 9626 7522 Mobile: 0412 233 977
Services available in Sydney, Wollongong, Gosford and Katoomba.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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