Mould in the roof space of a near-new home near Ballarat
A defect investigation in Winter Valley found mould on roof trusses and eaves linings, a cooler drain inside the roof and open valley boards. What causes moisture to collect above the ceiling.
Something has gone wrong after you moved in: a crack that keeps opening, water in the roof, mould you cannot get rid of. A defect investigation measures it, finds the likely cause and sets out what the builder or a trade needs to do.
One of our inspectors will call you back. If it is urgent, call 1300 471 805.
A defect investigation is a visual and non-destructive assessment of the reported problem, measured against the NCC, the relevant Australian Standards and the Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2015.
27 checkpoints across 9 areas on a standard Ballarat defect investigation report. Roof spaces, subfloors or rooms that are locked, too low or unsafe on the day are named in the report as not inspected, never assumed to be fine.
Items recorded while tracing leaks, cracks and damp in recent homes.
A defect investigation in Winter Valley found mould on roof trusses and eaves linings, a cooler drain inside the roof and open valley boards. What causes moisture to collect above the ceiling.
Missing sealant at junctions, doors and service penetrations, and gaps in the roof's fire resistant blanket. Why sealing matters on a BAL rated home.
Hairline or something more? How we measure and categorise cracks in brick veneer on Ballarat area homes, and what different crack widths suggest.
Pre-Purchase Building Inspections An older Ballarat home checked from roof space to stumps under AS 4349.1 before you commit. 
Building and Pest Inspections Building and timber pest reports in one Ballarat visit, with decay and damp written up. 
Pre-Handover (PCI) Inspections A numbered list of what is unfinished or defective in your new Ballarat home, before the final claim is paid. 
New Construction Stage Inspections Seven visits through a Ballarat build, each one booked before the next trade covers the work. 
Rental minimum standards (Victoria) inspections Your Ballarat rental checked against all 15 Victorian minimum standards, with a repair list before it is listed. Dilapidation Reports A dated photo record of your Ballarat house before demolition or excavation starts next door. VCAT Expert Witness Reports Evidence written to VCAT's expert witness requirements when a building dispute will not settle. 
Pre-Sale Inspections Learn what a buyer's inspector will raise before your Ballarat home is listed. 
Mould Inspections Visible mould and damp traced with a moisture meter in homes that rarely dry out in winter. 
Insurance Claim Assessments An independent look at storm, leak or impact damage to support your claim. 
Maintenance Inspections A yearly check of roof, gutters, subfloor and drainage before small faults grow. 
Apartment Pre-Settlement Your new unit or townhouse checked before settlement day. 
Reinspections A return visit to confirm the builder has closed out each listed item. 
Timber Pest Inspections A stand-alone AS 4349.3 timber pest inspection when the building side is already covered. Tax Depreciation Schedule Depreciation figures for a Ballarat investment property, prepared for your accountant. 
Commercial Property Inspections Condition reports on shops, offices and warehouses in and around the city. 
Strata Reports Common property reviewed for owners corporations and buyers of units. Instant online pricing, or talk to the booking team on 1300 471 805.
No destructive work: we do not cut linings, lift tiles or dig footings. Engineering certification, geotechnical or soil testing, and the repairs themselves are excluded. Electrical, gas and plumbing systems are not tested; a licensed electrician or plumber needs to look at those.
Not as tribunal evidence. This report is written for you and the builder to agree a fix. If the dispute goes to the Building and Plumbing Commission's dispute resolution service (formerly DBDRV) or to VCAT, you need an expert witness report prepared to VCAT's expert evidence requirements, which we also write.
Request a quote online. The price depends on how many issues you want looked at, the size of the home and whether the roof space or subfloor has to be entered.
Warm, moist air from inside meets cold timber on frosty nights and condenses. Exhaust fans or cooler drains ending in the roof space make it worse. We check what is venting where and how the roof breathes.
We record visible items such as unsealed gaps, missing roof blanket and open penetrations against what a BAL rated home is expected to have. Your building surveyor's approved plans set the exact construction level.
It depends on width, pattern and whether it is still moving. We measure and photograph it so you can compare over time, and refer anything structural to an engineer.
Send it to your builder with a written request to fix the items. Many defects are still under the statutory warranty, and the occupancy permit does not end the builder's responsibility for them.