House Exterior Inspection – Uncover House Problems

As part of a full pre-purchase building inspection, Action Property Inspections provides a house exterior inspection to uncover any additional house problems.  The exterior of the house covers a large and important area and requires thorough analysis. It is also unfortunately the source of many house problems. There is a large difference between a house that appears deteriorated, and one that is actually structurally unsound, hence the need for a property inspection. The following is an outline of the house exterior sections inspected,

External Walls

• Cladding
• Wall alignment
• Decay
• Ground clearance
• Inadequate materials used
• Brickwork
• Differential or rotational movement
• Mortar eroding
• Inadequate weep holes

Painted Surfaces

• Blistering Paint
• Surface deterioration
• Potential for lead based paint

Infill Panels

• Ground contact
• Decay damage
• Loose panels
• Termite susceptibility

Gable Structure

• Twisting and decaying barge boards and decorative timbers

Fascias/Soffits/Eaves

• Water penetration
• Fascia decay
• Loose soffit linings
• Inadequate ventilation

External Stairs

• Loose treads
• Uneven or oversized risers
• Decay damage
• Unsafe handrails

Pergola

• General building compliance
• Decay
• Undersized timbers
• inadequate bracing

Decking

• Decay damage
• Loose boards
• Overspaning boards
• Incorrectly installed decking

Verandah Structure

• Building compliance
• Adequate bracing and tie downs
• Overspaning timbers

Downpipes

• Rusting downpipes
• Stormwater collar connections
• Leaking joints

Tiling

• Cracked and drummy floor tiles
• Hazardous surfaces
• Surface deterioration

Awnings

• Decay or corrosion damage
• Inadequate head clearance
• Adequate fixings

Shutters

• Decay damage to shutters
• Unsecured shutters

Fly Screens

• Bent fly screen frames
• Torn fly screen wire

Fireplace

• Limited Inspection