When inspecting properties in and around Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast we have noticed a lot of serious subsidence and cracking to the exterior of buildings. In this blog we explain the importance of a building and pest inspection prior to purchase, and what defects we come across that may cause movement and subsidence resulting in external and internal cracking to buildings on the Gold Coast.
One thing we’ve noticed inspecting properties in and around Burleigh Heads, is the number of manmade water ways and coastal sand dunes majority of properties are built on. This type of building surface, if not filled and compacted properly at the start of a build has the potential to cause major cracking and subsidence to a building. Movement is a common thing in newly built buildings but under some circumstances like above, or with certain defects within a properties perimeter the movement can be quite severe.
One of the leadings factors to movement and cracking in external and internal walls are the ground levels along a perimeter of a building not falling away from the dwelling’s walls due to the natural landscape and contour of some blocks of land. This can cause water to pond against perimeter walls causing major subsidence to buildings. Without sufficient drainage to a lot of older buildings (including newly built homes) this can cause some major defects that have the potential to cost thousands in repairs.
Drainage issues like mentioned above have the potential to cause many major defects. During our routine building and pest inspections we thoroughly inspect all drainage points, checking for blocked or damaged drains and whether drainage points are sufficiently placed to do the required job along a building’s perimeter. If not, we note the areas within our report and advise the correct trades to thoroughly assess the area and give the correct advice and recommendations to resolve any potential issues.
Although Subsidence in buildings is a scary sight, everything can be repaired. With further assessment from a structural engineer, they can assess a property and give you an accurate forecast for further deterioration under the current circumstances and provide advice for the best way to resolve the issue whether it be re-stumping, under pinning a building or using a resin injection under the footings to raise the slab height before further repairs to a building’s exterior can be undertaken.
Another major defect that has the potential to cause building subsidence are down pipes or above ground storm water pipes connected to gutters being deteriorated and/or disconnected around building perimeters. This can lead to a high volume of water during our wet seasons or periods of heavy rain fall to disperse against a building’s perimeter. Not only can this pond against a building and cause sufficient unwanted movement but has the potential to flood the interior of a home and cause fungal decay / timber rot within wall frames, cause Mould and provide a conducive area to termite infestations.
Trees in close proximity to a building’s perimeter can look amazing, but the root system can be another problematic issue to cause exterior building cracks and raised or settled paths and driveways. Not only that they have the potential of damaging underground services like plumbing pipes. If the root system of a large tree penetrates or cracks underground plumbing it can lead to excess ground moisture and serious leakage that can cause a building’s edge to sink and subside.
Cracking on a building’s exterior walls can be a huge red flag to most buyers, With the correct maintenance plans in place and sufficient drainage around a buildings perimeter you can avoid a lot of unwanted movement and reduce the risk of some building subsidence and cracking.
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