Three Common Inspections That Could Save Your Home From Hundreds Of Thousands In Damages

Due to Australia's very varied landscape and diverse animal life, homeowners are constantly on the lookout for the signs that something is wrong with their property. While the country is lucky enough to not be frequently troubled by tectonic events like earthquakes, there are many natural problems that do threaten your property, and it is important you are aware of them. Many first home buyers might not realise that something as simple as a wet patch on your wall could indicate a problem that could soon balloon out to thousands of dollars worth in damages. Here are three common inspections that could potentially save you a fortune.

Termite Inspection

One of the most destructive insects on the planet when it comes to your house, termites have long been a problem for homeowners in Australia. The real problem is that they are so hard to find that when you do eventually spot one, it is generally a sign there are tens of thousands more just out of eyesight. That is why if you even think you might have termites, you should call for a termite inspection. They will check all the hard-to-reach areas of your home, and if termites are found, they are well equipped to destroy whatever nest they have created and examine the structural damage they may have caused. A termite inspection could literally save your house from demolition, so always keep that in mind when you see a suspicious insect.

Asbestos Inspection

Asbestos was commonly used as a building material for decades, right up until the mid-1990s. If your home was built before or even during that time, then there is a very good chance that some of your insulation might be made up of material containing asbestos fibres. Never check this for yourself. If you are worried that you might have asbestos, you need to immediately call for the experts. Checking to see if you have asbestos by yourself puts your life at risk, as the particles you inhale if you disturb asbestos can cause deadly diseases. If in doubt, simply call for an asbestos inspection and put your mind at ease.

Structural Inspection

People are very quick to dismiss warning signs of structural damage as just natural wear and tear of the building. If you see any sort of horizontal cracks in your walls, ceilings or floors, then this is a very good sign that something is very wrong and the house is becoming unsafe, if it isn't already. Apart from the wall, people often mistake cracks in tiles or bricks as a fault with the material, but this is rarely the case. After all, a construction worker would not put in a broken tile if they noticed it. These are often early warning signs which mean you need to act before it is too late. Get a structural engineer in or at least contact your original builder and ask them to inspect the structural integrity of the property.