Common defects in Ballarat homes and nearby builds

The items we record in and around Ballarat follow the climate and the housing. On established homes it is water: unsealed joints, weep holes buried by paving, roof valleys letting in storm rain and mould in roof spaces. On new builds in nearby towns it is the stage items that get covered quickly, from vapour barriers to wall insulation.

Bushfire rated homes with gaps

At a BAL rated home in Winter Valley we recorded sealant missing at external wall junctions, door perimeters and service penetrations, and the fire resistant roof blanket missing in sections. Those gaps are exactly where embers find a way in.

Moisture in the roof space

The same investigation found mould on roof truss timbers and on the eaves lining, and an evaporative cooler drain line ending inside the roof space. In a cold climate, moisture that reaches the roof space tends to stay there.

Cracks and clearances outside

Brick veneer cracks wide enough to admit water, open joints in the veneer and weep holes sitting less than 75mm above a path come up regularly. So do condensate pipes discharging against the wall.

Stage items on nearby builds

On recent Maddingley builds we recorded a vapour barrier stopping short of the edge beams, bottom plates overhanging the slab, trusses bearing on non-loadbearing walls, cut bracing, and insulation still not installed at lock-up.

At handover

Handover visits in the region turn up unsealed flashings, blocked weep holes, broken stormwater pipes and loose balustrades. None of these are cosmetic, and all are cheaper fixed before the final payment.

More about Ballarat

Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Ballarat. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.

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Common defects in Ballarat homes and nearby builds: common questions

What is the most common problem you find in Ballarat?

Water getting where it should not: through unsealed joints, low weep holes, roof valleys and flashings, and into roof spaces. The cool, wet climate makes those items matter more.

Do you find defects in homes that are only a few years old?

Yes. Missing sealant, mould in roof spaces and drainage faults all show up on young homes.

Are BAL rated homes checked differently?

We look closely at sealing of gaps, sarking or roof blanket, and the materials around openings, because a bushfire rating depends on them.

Why does a vapour barrier matter under a slab?

It stops ground moisture rising into the slab and the house. A barrier that stops short of the beams leaves a path for damp.

Can these items be fixed easily?

Most can, if they are found at the right time. Stage items are cheapest before the next trade covers them; handover items before you pay the final claim.