Performing a building exterior inspection is an important part of finding out whether the property you want to buy will be a good home or investment for you. It covers all aspects of the structural condition of the house.

We perform building exterior inspections as part of our property inspection service anywhere in Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Ipswich.

Structure Lines and Level

The exterior inspection of the dwelling starts with an overview from the front of the property (or preferably from across the road) to sight the lines of the building for any signs of unevenness, bowing or sagging in the walls or roof.

Stumped houses in particular need to be sighted for level, as settling of the stumps is quite common and will transfer to the other areas of the building, affecting wall and roof lines.

Greg doing an exterior inspection

Stormwater Drainage and Water Damage

The area around the base of the building is checked for signs of inadequate drainage, seepage and ponding water. The roof water downpipes and stormwater connections are checked for damage and leaks. The number of roof water downpipes and the distance between them should be checked.

It is common for older buildings to not have enough downpipes, which causes the guttering to overflow to the base of the building. Typically it is leaks and water that play the major role in building degradation. In most cases, water ponding at the base of the building will destabilise the foundation earth supporting the structure.

Brickwork and Stumps

With slab on ground brick veneer homes, particular attention is paid to the brickwork. Whilst in most cases the brickwork on a modern home is not structural and is no more than a cladding, it is a very good indicator of building movement.

Gaps can open up between the brickwork and window or door frames. Brick and/or mortar can develop cracks as the concrete slab floor subsides or heaves. Gaps between the soffits and brickwork can also develop with significant movement.

The concrete stumps of a stumped building should be checked for movement, damp or cracking. Concrete stumps have steel reinforcing bards within them, which will corrode and blow out (concrete cancer) if the stumps are subjected to poor drainage and damp conditions. Timber stumps are checked for termite damage and decay.

Now that you know why an exterior inspection is important, it’s time to book your service.

Tina Mueller - BuildandPest.om
Call Tina on
1300 78 75 73 to book your inspection today!

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