Training

2.4 STRUCTURAL CRACKING AND MOVEMENT Cracking and movement is a problem that will spoil the appearance of the building and can be structurally dangerous. The symptoms and causes outlined in the following examples are not intended to be all inclusive. However, they will give an indication of the more common characteristics which may be readily […]

2.2 BASIC PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTION A standard inspection should include the inspection of those Readily Accessible Areas parts of property, as agreed with the Client. The inspection does not include rooms/spaces/areas which were unsafe to inspect, not readily accessible, inaccessible or obstructed at the time of inspection

2.6 DAMPNESS Dampness is a problem that occurs in many buildings, both old and new, and it is a continual source of annoyance and expense to many householders. The presence of excessive amounts of moisture in a building is most certainly the cause of a greater proportion of defects than any other single cause or […]

2.5 DEFORMATION The NCRB and Standards Australia Glossary of Building Terms, HB 50 describes ‘deformation’ as a change of shape of a structural member or structure, resulting from the applications of load(s). In addition to deflection, deformation includes any plastic, non-recoverable movement. Often the change will not be noticeable, but may result in trivial defects […]

2.6.1 Wall structure 2.6.1.1 Ceilings (a) Isolated patch Appearing during or after rain. The most common source of this type of dampness is defective roof plumbing and flashings. (b) Isolated patch Appearing all the time. The most common source of this type of dampness is defective plumbing. (c) Isolated patch or continuous band Appearing during […]

2.2.2 Tests In addition to the visual examination, the standard inspection should also include the carrying out of Tests. When conducting a standard inspection, the following physical actions should be undertaken by the Consultant: opening and shutting of doors, windows and draws; operation of taps; and the tapping of tiles and wall plaster. Leaking showers […]

2.2.1 The visual examination The inspection should, in general, be confined to a visual examination of surface work.

2.4.3 Floor structure 2.4.3.1 Reinforced concrete construction Cracks, variable in direction and depth Often cracks will form in reinforced concrete including slab-on-ground construction, suspended slab floors, stair flights, landings and balconies or the like. Cracking will commonly result from one or more of the following causes: differential shrinkage; foundation movement; inadequate support; deformation duc to creep; […]

2.4.2 Wall structure 2.4.2.1 Masonry – foundation related cracking Diagonal cracks Most commonly occurring at the corners of buildings, the cracking will tend to be wider at the top of a wall, while narrowing down to the bottom. However, in straight walls with no openings, there is a tendency for the cracks to occur at a […]

2.4.1 Roof structure 2.4.1.1 Concrete roof slabs Cracks, variable in direction and depth Cracking will commonly result from one or more of the following causes: shrinkage during setting; inadequate support; thermal movement; foundation movement; and corrosion of steel reinforcement. Small cracks may not be harmful in themselves, but if they allow moisture to penetrate readily […]

2.5.1 Roof structure 2.5.1.1 Roofframing and roofing (a) Distortion/lifting/damage Movement of the roof is commonly caused by the roof not adequately resisting wind uplift forces. Often the roofing is not adequately secured to the roof framing or the roof structure to the wall structure. (b) Cupping Distortion of flat roof decks is caused by condensation. The condensed water can […]

2.5.3.1 Suspended concrete slabs (a) Excessive deflection A reinforced suspended concrete floor may deflect producing side-effects such as failing to continue to provide support for walls built on them. In such cases a horizontal crack may often be found at the base of the wall, though it may be covered up by the skirting board. Deflection in […]