STRUCTURAL REPORT – APRIL 2012
Client Name :
Address :
Our Reference :
Structural Report
Property :
Inspection Date :
Occupied :
Weather Conditions : Fine / Overcast / Raining / Windy / Thunderstorms
Inspector :
Report Purpose : The purpose of this report is to identify defects or faults in the construction of the building for an intending purchaser, in so far as a licensed builder can reasonably identify those defects or faults.
General : This report is the result of a visual inspection only and is intended to be read as a whole, please read the detailed inspection information and the scope section.
Whilst defects have been investigated to confirm cause and significance some minor defects have not been detailed as they were considered a normal occurrence or general wear and tear for a building of this age.
Summary : The Building was reportedly constructed around ……………. and later additions……………………… In consideration of its age the building is / is not structurally sound and is / is not free of significant/major defects.
q Refer to Significant/Major Defects section at the back of this report.
With any dwelling of a similar vintage the Property due to its age and general wear and tear, will require a degree of maintenance. With a decision to include a program of general maintenance and the repairs mentioned in this report, the Property is considered a satisfactory future home. Homes built prior to 1983 may contain asbestos.
Signed on behalf of
Bellagio Australia Pty Ltd T/A Houspect
General Description
The building is a single residence / two storey dwelling / duplex / villa / townhouse / apartment / three storey dwelling / single storey project home______. The front of the building is facing approximately north / south / east / west / north west/ north east / south west/ south east on a sloping / a leveled / an essentially level / ______block of land. The design of the property is brick and tile / brick and iron / architectural / State Housing / project home / traditional design / a commercial property / apartment building / timber-framed fibro / Fibro and tile / Fibrocement and Tile / concrete block and iron / tilt up concrete panels / timber-framed weatherboard
______.
The inspector recommends that if the building erected on the Property has renovations or extensions, that the local council has approved them. This information can be obtained upon request from the local authority. Renovations or extensions done under a license younger than seven years will be the subject of a transferable structural building warranty that your settlement agent will require for settlement.
Roof
· Roof Covering
Covering is constructed of clay tile / concrete tile / corrugated Colorbond steel / corrugated zincalume / galvanised iron / corrugated fibercement ______material. The condition of the covering is new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor in relation to its age and does / does not / ______require attention. The ridges and capping are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Rusted Roof Sheeting was noted and needs replacing
q Rusted Roof Sheeting was visible and pin holes will require regular maintenance to seal leaks.
q Low pitch roof
q Minimal fall to the metal roof sheeting is below the recommended pitch. Overflows may be expected in heavy downpours.
q Broken tiles were noted.
q The cement tiles have lost their protective coating and require recoating.
q Ridge capping requires repairs and repointing
· Eaves
Eaves are boxed / exposed / exposed, lined on the rake and constructed of exposed rafters / painted fibrecement / painted timber battens / Painted timber rafters and fibercement______. They are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition and do / do not / ______require attention
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Water stains noted from regularly overflowing gutters
· Fascia
Fascias are painted / unpainted / weathered / ______and constructed of rolled sheet metal / timber / fibercement sheeting / colorbond______. They are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition and do /do not / ______require attention.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Timber is weathered requiring maintenance
q Metal is rusted requiring maintenance
q Timber rotted requiring maintenance
· Gables
Gables are painted / unpainted / weathered / refer to comment section______and constructed of rolled sheet metal / timber / sheet fibercement / stucco______. They are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition and do /do not / ______require attention.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Timber is weathered requiring maintenance
q Metal is rusted requiring maintenance
q Timber rotted requiring maintenance
· Flashings
Flashings are painted / unpainted / weathered / ______and constructed of lead and sheet metal / Colorbond / sheet metal / lead______. They are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition and do / do not / ______require attention.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Gaps seen between walls and flashing requires sealant
q The chimney flashings are rusted and are recommended to be replaced
q The chimney flashings require to be thoroughly cleaned of leaves and other tree debris.
q The lead flashings require to be painted
q The lead flashings of the gable are split and need to be sealed to prevent leaks into the ceiling space.
· Valleys / Gutters
Perimeter gutters are constructed of metal / galvanised iron / zincalume / PVC / Colorbond / galvanized iron and colorbond / zincalume and colorbond______material in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition.
The condition of the perimeter guttering is new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor in relation to its age requires attention / repair / replacing / no attention / no repairs / normal maintenance______. The perimeter gutters do / do not immediately need to be cleaned.
Valleys are constructed of galvanised iron /zincalume / Colorbond steel / ______material and are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition. The valleys do / do not immediately need to be cleaned.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Remove debris from gutters/valley
q The gutters were not adequately handling the flow of water.
q Gutters / Valleys are rusted and require maintenance
q The Valley irons are rusted and are recommended to be replaced.
q Leaf debris was noted in the gutters.
q Evidence of overflowing gutters was noted.
q The gutters require replacing in various areas.
q The gutters are rusty, requiring attention.
· Down Pipes
The down pipes are fabricated of metal / galvanised iron / zincalume / PVC / Colorbond steel / galvanized iron and PVC / colorbond and galvanized iron / painted zincalume______material and are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition. They require repairs / no repairs / no attention / replacement / attention / normal maintenance______.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q The downpipes are poorly fitted into the rear of the gutters, causing the gutters to leak.
q Soakwell inlets are obstructed and require cleaning
q Additional down pipes are required to handle the volume of water.
q The down pipes should be attached to soak wells.
q The down pipes are leaking.
q The down pipes are rusted requiring attention.
q The down pipes are rusted requiring replacement.
Horizontal sections of the down pipes will deteriorate faster than the vertical sections if water is allowed to pond. It is always recommended that down pipes be attached to soak wells at least 1.5m from the building.
External
· Walls
The external walls are constructed of face brick / rendered brick / painted brick / painted rendered brick / stud framing / weatherboard / fibrecement / textured rendered brick / rendered brick and fibrecement / limestone and brick / concrete and iron / painted rendered brick and face brick / rendered brick and face brick / concrete besser block with stucco plaster / tilt up concrete / painted brick and weatherboard
______material and are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition in relation to age.
They require repairs / no repairs / minor repairs / maintenance. There are / are no signs of significant cracking. There are / are no signs of significant weathering. Walls are / are not considered generally stable.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Cracking over window head in pre 1945 homes is typical and not considered a structural defect unless bricks are loose.
q Drummy render noted.
q Fretting of mortar requires repointing.
q Immediate repairs required to arrest movement and collapse.
q Loose bricks noted.
q Minor cracking visible consistent with age, not of a structural nature.
q Evidence of rising damp noted.
q Significant cracking requiring repairs currently not affecting the structure, but could if not attended to.
q Weep holes not visible.
· Cladding
Cladding constructed of timber / fibrecement / weatherboard / sheet metal / Colorbond / lathe and plaster / lathe / stack stone tile______material and in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition requiring repairs / no repairs / attention .
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Corner stops or cover mouldings are missing in places or require maintenance
q Breakage visible to cement sheet wall cladding.
q Cladding likely to contain asbestos.
q Weathering and rot visible to timber weatherboards, requires maintenance or replacement.
· Footings
The footings are above and below / above / below ground level and constructed of concrete / limestone blockwork / brick / limestone blockwork and concrete / limestone blockwork / not known______. There are / are no signs of settlement requiring attention.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Subsidence was visible
q Limestone footings require repointing
q Soil higher than damp course. Recommend reducing level to avoid water ingress.
q No subsidence was visible.
q Perimeter footings not visible.
q Foundations being undermined by down pipe not connected to soak well.
· Lintels
Steel / Concrete lintels are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor / satisfactory structural structural condition with no / no significant / no obvious / some / some minor______signs of rust.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q The lintel requires replacement and the brick work above should be repaired
q Surface rust was noted to the surrounding brickwork
q Rusting of the reinforcement steel causing crumbling of the concrete requires immediate attention.
q The lintel requires replacement and the brickwork above should be repaired.
q Severe rusting was noted causing the lintel to expand and cracking the surrounding brickwork.
q Surface rust was noted.
Lintels should be kept in good condition to avoid costly repairs.
· Windows / Window Frames
Window frames are constructed of generally timber and aluminium / timber / aluminium / PVC / metal / anodized / timber / painted / aluminium powder coated and powdercoated / anodised / painted / not treated ______and in varying / new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition. They require normal maintenance / repairs / no attention / ______. Glazing beads appear sound / serviceable / poor / ______and there are / are no / ______broken panels.
Fly screens are installed in most / all / some / none / ______of the windows. The fly screens are in new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor condition. Security screens are / are not / not applicable installed.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q The aluminum frame edge has come away from the rubber seal and glazing.
q Broken pane was noted.
q The aluminium frame edge has come away from the rubber seal and glazing.
q Windows require maintenance.
q Water ingress visible to glazing frame requires replacement of putty and sealing.
q Weathering surface damage was noted to timber frames, requires treatment and painting.
q Some wood rot requiring attention was noted.
Current Building Codes require that glass in windows and doors in close proximity to the floor be safety glass. Houses built prior to the 1980's did not have this requirement, it is therefore recommended to bring the safety issue up to current standards, if applicable.
· Front Doors / Door Frames
Front Door is constructed of timber / aluminium / pressed metal / ______. Condition is generally varying / new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor requiring normal maintenance /repairs / no attention / paint attention______.
Front Door Frame is constructed of timber / aluminium / pressed metal / ______. Condition is generally varying / new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor requiring normal maintenance /repairs / no attention / paint attention______. External doors are solid-core / hollow-core / glazed / panelled / solid core and glazed / sliding glass / hollow core and glazed / glazed panelled______in design with entrance set and deadlock / nightlatch / deadlatch / entrance set / standard latch / trilock / lever handle and deadlock / entrance set and night latch______door furniture. Condition is generally varying / new / satisfactory / fair / average / poor requiring normal maintenance/repairs / ______.
Security screen door is / is not installed.
Deadlocks are / are not fitted.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING
q Doors are binding, they require a 2mm clearance.
q Edges of door require sealing to avoid water ingress and damage.
q Holes noted in door require repair or replacement.
q Inner core of door has collapsed requires replacement.
q Minor rusting visible to the base of metal door frames in the wet areas, requires attention.
q Ply facing of door delaminating requires refixing.
q Severe rusting visible to the base of metal door frames, require replacing.
· Chimney
Chimney is constructed of brick / metal flue / ______and in satisfactory / unsafe structural / satisfactory structural______condition. It was / was not operating at time of inspection.
OPTIONS - DROP DOWN WORDING