Yes, a new home is a big step any day. It is very true that most of us think about paints, floors or the designer kitchen first. Hardly we think about water leakage then. However, Melbourne weather is a bit unpredictable as it can change in one afternoon, and your home will have to deal with rain, damp air and shifting soil – probably all year through. That is why many home buyers call building inspectors in Melbourne before they go in fully. These experts know where moisture likes to hide and thus can tell you that much before.

A leak is not always visible. Often it goes very slow and makes a quiet problem for you. Thus, you may not notice it for months. But when you do, the damage would be very large and the repair bill would be a shocker.

So, in this blog, we will discuss about five waterproofing secrets which you should know before you get the keys.

• Start With the Wet Areas

Obviously, it is those places like bathrooms, laundries and toilets where most leaks occur. The membrane under the tiles actually works as a layer which we generally cannot see. So, it bis quite obvious for you to forget about that when you inspect. So, you can ask the builder for the waterproofing certificate. It will let you know about the quality of the product, its installation date and the name of the installer too.

Generally, the work is expected to follow Australian Standard AS 3740. If somehow, the paper is missing, you can ask questions directly to the builder about it.

• Test the Falls and Drainage

Be it your bathroom or kitchen, water should move towards the drain and go out. It certainly should not be stagnant on the floor. To check this, you can slowly pour a small bucket of water on your shower floor and see very carefully where it heads. If you see it is stagnant there, that probably means the slant of the floor is not right. That is why this quick test is so useful on the day of your final walk-through.

You can use the same method to check the floors of balconies, patios and paths.

Besides that, much area of Melbourne is set on reactive clay soil. When it is wet, they often swell and shrink when dry. Quite often, this becomes a prime reason of cracks in the slabs and pipes from where water comes in. Actually, a crack just as thin as a coin can be enough for water too seep.

• Look Up at the Roof and Gutters

Your roof is the part which endures the direct impact of rain. So, you need to check the flashings, which are the metal strips around chimneys, vents and skylights.

Here you need to check if there is any gap or rust. If you have a tiled roof, look for broken or slipped tiles as well, as most of the time, it lets the rain to reach the timber below.

Gutters are also an important area to inspect. Here, fallen leaves can block the outer whole and for that the water then spills over the edge and runs down through your walls.

So, try to clean the gutters in autumn and again after any big storm. However, if your home has a taller roof, it would be wise to call in a professional person for the job. DIY can be a bit risky.

• Seal Every Window, Door and Joint

Most often, small gaps are become the common entry points for water. Inspect carefully the frames of your windows and doors, the corners of your bathroom and the joints between different materials. Check the sills too, as water is likely to sit there after rain.

Sealant does not last forever, and silicone will generally be tired after a few years. It is a cheap job to renew it, but it would be an expensive job to repair a wet wall. Obviously, the sooner you spot a crack, the better. Mostly, a tube of sealant and a steady hand are all that you need for a small gap.

• Ask Building Inspectors in Melbourne to Check Everything

Yes, your own eyes could be enough for the initial inspection. But if you want to find such shrewd issues like smaller cracks or titled floors you must need a good building inspector in Melbourne.

They generally have special tools like moisture meters and thermal cameras which are very helpful to find any damp areas (that generally you cannot see or smell) in your house. At the end of the inspection, he/she will prepare a detailed building inspection report and hand it to you. Here a list of the present and potential issues should be listed. He/she will also explain each finding in simple language to you.

Such a report is also a strong tool for you, as the builder will have to respond to written facts. To most of us, the fee for an inspection can seem like an extra cost. But in reality, it is actually a saving, just as a small repair is always cheaper than a big one.

Keep your certificates, warranty papers, photos and reports in one folder. You will be glad to have them if a problem shows up later, and a future buyer will like to see them as well.

How Casey Building Consultants Can Support You

As a reputed building inspector in Melbourne, Casey Building Consultants can thoroughly check your new home – from the roof to the slab. We have a professional team who inspect the wet areas, drainage, roof plumbing, sealants and ground levels. Not only that, we will explain each finding in simple language to you and also give you important advice.

You will get a written building inspection report with photos, so that you can raise any defect with your builder before it becomes costly. It is a very simple step, which gives you a clear picture of what you are about to own. As in this industry over 15 years, we know the local soil type, the local weather and also the common faults prevail here. Contact our team today to book your inspection and settle with confidence.

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