The above photograph was taken by Mr Inspector during a building inspection in Sandringham.  In Victoria, even though a house inspector doesn’t need to be qualified, Mr Inspector is the only qualified building inspector operating out of the Sandringham and Black Rock areas so you can be assured you are getting an experienced and knowledgeable building inspector carry out your Building Inspection.

The photograph depicts a rafter in the roof that has cracked in a house in Sandringham

A roof cavity inspection is imperative due to the fact no one really goes into this area to inspect.  Common defects are insulation being too close to the down lights which is a fire hazard, ageing  of timber roof frame and batons and cracked or deteriorated roof cladding.

This photograph above is of a common rafter that has snapped. This is a structural member in that it is carrying or supporting roof  batons and the roof cladding, hence this is a structural defect.  This will be quite difficult to rectify as the rafter may require removal.  A carpenter may be able to laminate similar timber species to the side of the rafter once the roof is re-leveled, however, this would need to comply with a structural engineers specifications.  A qualified and thorough building inspector would detect this defect and advise accordingly.

This shows the importance of obtaining a qualified building inspector to assess your potential home before you buy.

A thorough building inspection consists of inspecting the roof void.  This is where few people go and often shows numerous defects, either due to workmanship, age-related, leaks and damaged roof linings.  A common issue we find during our home inspections is the roof insulation covering down lights and this can be a fire hazard.

Often, cracked roof tiles can not be seen from the roof during a house inspection.  Not many building inspectors will walk on the tiled roof of an older home as they age and are easily cracked. This also included us.  We view most tiled roofs from each side of the home using a ladder and not all tile cracks can be seen until we get in the roof void.

The above photo shows a common rafter that has been cut to accommodate a skylight and you can see the tiles have dropped and leaking has occurred. The rafter should be supported as it is carrying the load of the tiles and the roof baton.

Engaging a qualified and experienced building inspection company is paramount before you buy a home so that you are aware of any issues requiring rectification.