Structural problems are common in Older Brisbane homes and may put one’s safety at risk. Almost every 6th home in Australia witnesses these issues at some point and requires costly repairs. That’s when remedial builders can help fix these problems and ensure the home is in top condition.
Structural defects lie beneath the surface and may include something as small as cracks to more significant issues, such as foundation failures. These defects can compromise the stability, value and safety of the property. Therefore, it is essential to conduct structural inspections to identify potential issues and ensure the property’s longevity.
Importance Of Structural Inspections
A detailed inspection report not only serves as proof of due diligence but also provides a sense of security. Structural defects might often lead to lower sale prices, while an up-to-date report might be a deal-breaker.
Prevents expensive repairs
Structural defects tend to worsen over time and may cost thousands of dollars for repairs if undetected. Small cracks that go unaddressed may cause foundation failure and require heritage home restoration.
Detecting an issue very late in the load-bearing wall can not only compromise but also collapse the building structure. Timely detection of issues allows you to prioritize issues demanding immediate attention at affordable costs.
Property’s longevity
Regular structural inspections ensure you address the problems in time and extend the life of the property. Older homes may have foundation settlement, wear & tear, and damage due to termites. With inspections, these problems are easily noticed, and you get to save the building’s integrity.
In some cases, structural issues might show up in newer properties due to substandard material usage or poor construction practices. This might compromise the life of even the best quality commercial fit-out in Brisbane. With regular inspections, you can make sure the home is in sound condition and won’t require costly repairs for the next few years.
Safety concerns
Structural health is of utmost importance in ensuring the safety of the building. Defects that affect the load-bearing elements of a building can pose serious health threats to those living inside. You ought to understand that the structural defects, if undetected, can lead to wall collapse or shifting foundations.
You can ensure the safety of many lives with inspections, as they identify issues quite early. A weakened foundation can compromise the overall stability of a structure over the course of time. However, choosing the best remedial builders can help overcome such situations as they fix issues in time.
Property value
Potential buyers always look for properties with a clean inspection history and even pay a higher amount. If you plan to sell your home, its structural health will play a crucial role in determining the property value. An inspection report with no defects can attract buyers, despite a high-value selling price.
An inspection report acts as proof of due diligence to maintain the structural health. It provides buyers with a sense of security and reassurance of a structurally sound property. Structure defects, on the contrary, may lead to negotiations and low sale values.
Common Structural Defects
Before you plan a heritage home restoration, it is advisable to understand the most common structural defects. This helps you identify the problems and take timely action before they prove costly or fatal.
Foundation issues
One of the most severe structural defects in buildings or homes is the foundation problems. If there is water damage or improper construction, you might observe cracks, shifting, and settling.
Areas with expansive clay soils witness more foundation movement, resulting in uneven settling of buildings. It is important to reinforce the foundation and ensure the drainage system is working. With serious problems, the building may destabilize, and the commercial fit-out in Brisbane might get affected.
Cracks in walls
A visibly noticeable sign of structural problems is cracks in the beams and walls. You can judge the severity of the issue with the location and type of the cracks.
While vertical cracks happen due to foundation settling and appear in window corners, the horizontal cracks indicate foundation movement. These horizontal cracks can be a potentially serious issue for the home or the building structure.
Load-bearing problems
To distribute the weight of the structure evenly, load-bearing walls are important. Any damage or probable weakness in them can put the entire structure at risk. However, remedial builders can help identify potential problems in load-bearing walls to avoid consequences.
The integrity of the walls may be compromised due to corrosion of steel reinforcements and moisture penetration.
Uneven flooring
Foundation settlement, weakened load-bearing walls, and moisture damage can cause the floors to dip, sag, or become uneven. This kind of issue is more common in older properties that have deteriorated floor joists.
As a property owner, you may know of sagging floors through slope or bulge in various areas of the floor. This would mean the underlying foundation is settled or the load-bearing structure is unstable.
Fixing Hidden Problems
If there are foundation problems, you can start your heritage home restoration by providing support to the foundation through underpinning. You may direct the water away from the foundation to avoid further damage and use steel piers to stabilize the foundation.
For sagging floors, you can jack up the floor and place shims for levelling. For severe damage, it is good to replace the damaged beams.
To strengthen the roof structure, you can add supplementary elements or choose roof replacement with modern roofing materials. Also, clean the debris to prevent masonry from deteriorating, and use sealants as water damage prevention.
Final Thoughts
Old homes are rich in character, but it is critical to maintain the integrity of the home and ensure its stability in the long term. A home, free of hidden problems, is safe to live in and retains its original character. If you are witnessing structural issues, contact Innovare Builders today and get professionals by your side.
