Having mould in the house is not only a danger to the building it may also seriously harm your family’s health. Moulds are a type of fungus reproduced by tiny spores. The spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.  Mould spores are basically a source of indoor air pollution.  They need moisture to grow and are usually found in damp, poorly ventilated areas of homes, such as bathrooms, cellars, pot plants or under stairs. Outdoors they will be in the garden, lawn, bark-chips, compost heaps and piles of leaves.

Mould spores spread by releasing millions of tiny spores into the air. You cannot see the spores but you may be able to see mould growing on damp surfaces, grey, green or black in colour. It may appear cottony, velvety, or granular, and will have a distinct mould odour – usually musty.

Airborne mould spores may be inhaled and produce allergic reactions in sensitive people similar to hay fever. Also, there is an inevitable connection to mould and asthma. People who experience allergic reactions to mould spores are also more likely to suffer from asthma. Symptoms of mould infestation can be respiratory problems (wheezing and difficulty to breath), nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation (burning, watery, red, blurry vision, and light sensitivity), dry, hacking coughs, sore throats, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, central nervous system problems (headaches, memory problems, lethargy and mood swings), aches and pains, and possible fevers. Some fungi can infect various parts of the human body, particularly the lungs and the skin — often such infections relate directly to an occupation, although anyone whose immune system is weak can be at risk.

The long-term effects of being exposed to mould can be as toxic as nerve gas. On top, you’re likely to end up with structural damage to your home.

For a healthy home call us at Quality Building Inspection toll-free on 1800 656 343 to arrange for a thorough Mould Inspection.

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When our inspector begins an inspection on a home, he generally does a top to bottom inspection; he visually looks at the roof void, the interior and the subfloor. In addition, the Thermal Imaging Camera works as a second set of eyes that can detect temperature anomalies. Our trained inspector can analyse an image in seconds to identify possible termite activity, weaknesses of the building or risk areas.

The Thermal Imaging System is a camera that reads heat variations. Thermal Imaging is commonly used in the detection of moisture damage, water ingress, and termite activity within buildings. It can verify the extent of any thermal anomaly that may indicate the presence moisture damage, water ingress, or termite activity located within a home. When imaging the inside of the building fabric, such as ceilings, walls, floors etc.,  wet or damp areas will usually have a different temperature to that of dry areas. When viewed on the camera‘s screen the wet areas will appear relatively darker in comparison to dry areas. Using an Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera alongside a Moisture Meter allows our inspectors to rapidly identify and document the location and extent of water damaged areas without the need for invasive inspection techniques.

Water ingress and damp related problems are a big fear for home buyers because dampness and moisture will cause deterioration to the building and can lead to mould growth or conditions conducive to termite infestation.

This photo shows a Thermal Image of our office dog Shadow.

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Why is Subfloor Ventilation important?

Moisture escapes from the soil and will be absorbed by the air above, raising the relative humidity of the air. This in turn will raise the moisture content of the framing and flooring and can cause mould. Mould is a serious health hazard. The moist environment in which mould grows is also conducive to termite infestation.

Proper ventilation is necessary to reduce the relative humidity of the cool air in the subfloor, by replacing the existing air with new warm dry air coming from outside the subfloor.

What are Mould Spores?

Mould are a type of fungus. Mould spreads by releasing millions of tiny spores into the air. They need moisture to grow and are usually found in damp, poorly ventilated areas of homes, such as subfloors. You cannot see the spores but you may be able to see mould, grey, yellowish, green or black in colour, growing on damp surfaces.

Mould spores are a source of indoor air pollution. Airborne mould spores can produce allergic reactions in sensitive people similar to hay fever. People who experience allergic reaction to mould spores are also more likely to suffer from asthma. Mould spores can be reduced by improving ventilation in the subfloor, and by limiting sources of moisture and condensation.

Call Quality Building Inspection toll free on 1800 656 343 to check the condition of your subfloor for a free site assessment:

Photo below:

Diagram of a well-functioning subfloor ventilation system.

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By checking the walls adjacent to wet areas within the home (ie. bathrooms, showers) we can detect excess moisture caused by leaking showers, unsealed baths etc. before extensive problems occur.

At Quality Termite Control/Building Inspection we only use the best the best equipment available including the Tramex Moisture Encounter Plus, Thermal Imaging and borescopes.

The Moisture Encounter PLUS MEP is an upgraded version of the world’s most popular and successful non-destructive moisture meter the Moisture Encounter.

With no probes or pins to cause surface damage, the MEP uses external rubber electrodes, in direct contact with the surface for best sensitivity and signal penetration.

See above pictures of the Moisture Meter which has picked up high moisture reading on a wall adjacent to the shower in a Sydney home.

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Latent or patent defects of any nature, their implications and subsequent costs to repair can in some instances be quite expensive to fix. That’s why we strongly advise you seek to use our services when buying your next home. We have heard of all the horror stories associated with pre purchase reports. Don’t risk it.

Our Quality Building Inspectors are highly trained with many years of experience in the field of pre purchase inspections and annual inspections, we are here to help. Please find below some terms used in our reports.

Terms used in our Building Inspection Report

Terms used in the Conclusion of our Building Reports – Overall Condition of the Property

LOW: The frequency or magnitude of major/minor defects is considered to be less than expected for a well maintained building of similar type and age.

TYPICAL: The frequency or magnitude of major/minor defects is considered to be typical (as expected) for a well-maintained building of similar type and age.

HIGH: The frequency or magnitude of major/minor defects is considered to be higher than expected for a well maintained building of similar type and age.

Don’t be fooled by new developments, property styling or recent renovations.

A pre-purchase Building and Pest Inspection is vital to help you understand what problems a building may have before you buy it.

Heavy wood rot was evident on the timber retaining wall, which in conjunction with the heavy soil load putting pressure has caused the retaining wall to bow. This is a major defect and could be a major expense to rectify.

The bowed retaining wall has been secured with a strap which was not visible due to heavy foliage to try and prevent its collapse. In addition, this is a safety concern as the retaining wall was less than 2 meters to the property wall.

Would you pick up this defect during an Open House inspection time? This is the reason we strongly recommend to clients to have a Pre Purchase Building Inspection done to avoid any surprise after settlement.

Contact Quality Building Inspection today on 1800-656343 to book a thorough inspection in.

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All these problems can be avoided by installing the proper drainage system around your property.
Inadequate Drainage

A. Inadequate drainage evident at the back of the property.

B. Water seeping through subfloor area, blocked vents were also evident.

C. Pools of stagnant water were evident in the subfloor area.

D. Inadequate drainage and inadequate ventilation within the subfloor caused high moisture to floor boards and skirting boards, resulting in extensive damage.

Mould

E. Inadequate drainage and inadequate ventilation cause mould infestation.

WARNING: Health Hazard!!

Mould spores are a source of indoor air pollution. Airborne mould spores can produce allergic reactions in sensitive people. Symptoms of mould infestation can be respiratory problems (wheezing and difficulty to breath), nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation (burning, watery, red, blurry vision, and light sensitivity), dry, hacking coughs, sore throats, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, central nervous system problems (headaches, memory problems, and mood swings), aches and pains, and possible fevers.

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You work hard for your money and value is important to you. So, when you’ve finally found the house you’ve been looking for, the price is right and finances are in order, how do you know the house is worth purchasing? Unless you are a builder yourself you will most probably have to seek for proper advice. But many people skip this vital step in the most important investment they make, their home. Building inspections are just as critical as any other product research that you do, probably more so.

 “What is the Building Inspection fee?”

Although this is the first question we usually hear, the price should not have the most bearing on whom you hire. Inspection companies that market themselves with low prices usually do so because they are new in the business (read: inexperienced) and, being unable or unwilling to distinguish themselves with high quality service, they fall back on low prices. It is a mistake to hire a company simply because they have the lowest price – you will end up with the lowest quality service and you may end up really regretting it, having to repair and fix things and facing a big bill at the end.

“If you pay peanuts you only get monkeys”. It may be an old adage, however certainly one you should consider. This is because you may spend more time, energy, as well as money when you repair the hidden damages. (In 2005) The Office of Fair Trading stated on their website the average cost is $500 for each inspection. Never book an inspection on price, book only on ones proven ability and knowledge. Inspecting and reporting on a home is a 5 to 7 hour process.

Watch out for cheaper alternatives! We regularly receive calls from people claiming to have only paid $150 to $350 for combined pest and building inspections. Unfortunately for them within approximately 3 months of moving in, they found termites and/or structural issues costing $100’s to $1,000’s of dollars in legal claims and rectification works. Some claims are even over $1million dollars! Your home insurance does not cover this type of damage.

As a guide only, the fee should be between $400 and $1,000 depending on the inspector’s experience and the size of the property being inspected. Book experienced and registered inspectors only!

Quality Building Inspection Sydney is a member of PPI, the Pre Purchase Inspectors National Registry.

Call us toll-free on 1800 656 343 for a worthwhile Pre Purchase Building Inspection.

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The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) identifies some KEY POINTS for house owners:

• Inhaling asbestos fibres may cause asbestos-related disease and death.
• Houses built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos cement products.
• The health risk of undisturbed asbestos cement products in the home is very low.
• Householders should engage experienced and licensed professionals to undertake an Asbestos Inspection before any home renovations or asbestos removal.

Asbestos only poses a risk to health when asbestos fibres are breathed in. Undisturbed asbestos cement materials in good condition do not pose a health risk because the asbestos fibres are bound together in solid cement. However, if the material is damaged or crumbling (that is, has become friable), or is disturbed by breaking, cutting, drilling or sanding, fibres are released into the air.

Friable asbestos products (such as spray-on insulation or asbestos-rope gaskets in wood stoves and heaters) also produce airborne fibres during normal use or ageing. Crumbling bonded materials, and all friable products, must be carefully managed to prevent the release of fibres into the air.

It is not possible to find out whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. Careful, close examination of a sample using specialised microscopic procedures is the only way to tell whether a material contains asbestos. It is best for this to be done at an accredited laboratory, one of which Quality Building Inspection collaborates with. If you are suspicious some material in your home contains asbestos do not risk your health and the health of your family and get an Asbestos Inspection done immediately

According to the Australian Government if you are not sure if a product in your house contains asbestos, play it safe and assume that it does, especially if you know the suspect material was installed before 1990. Alternatively, you can get advice from your asbestos consultant at Quality Building Inspection or have the product tested at a laboratory.

For a thorough Asbestos Inspection book Quality Building Inspection online today.

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In 2008, the NSW Swimming Pool Act was introduced to improve pool safety for children. The most effective way to prevent children from drowning is a child-resistant barrier, consisting of fencing of a height no less than 1.2 metres. Doors and gates providing access to the pool area must be kept securely closed at all times when not in actual use.

As a fence can be climbed or the gate kept accidentally open, make sure to always supervise children around the pool at all times!

Are you sure your pool complies with the latest Australian Standard?

These and many other questions will be cleared with a Swimming Pool Inspection provided by Quality Building Inspection. Our aim is to keep your children safe!

Call our pool safety inspectors in Sydney on 1800 656 343 to make sure your swimming pool is a safe place for your children and your family.

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forming complex relationships with other plants or animals. It is impossible to get rid of all mould as some spores float through the air and dust. However, mould spores can’t grow without moisture.

Main causes of moisture are usually floods, leaking pipes, inadequate site drainage, leaking windows and roofs. Look respectively for water or moisture excess, or water damage such as leaks and water stains; all that can encourage mould infestation.

Increased humidity due to improper drying of flooded areas or poor ventilation in subfloor areas can also cause mould to grow. Bad habits like keeping the house closed without proper air circulation or dehumidifier and poor housekeeping can also cause mould growth. Mould can grow on paper, food and soap scum, also on wood, dirt, drywall, paint and wallpaper, and many other surfaces that contain sufficient amounts of moisture.

More common places for mould to grow are moist corners, e.g. in the bathroom or windows. Dripping water underneath the window is what causes the mould to form and grow and your wall to start rotting. Mould infestation can be found even inside the wall layers, growing under cabinets and under wallpapers.

Having a warm dry house with effective extraction fans and air circulation is a good way to discourage mould growth.

If you have concerns with excess moisture, can smell a damp or musty smell around your home we recommend having a mould inspection. Some people think that by cleaning the mould they can get rid of it permanently, but that is a common misconception. You cannot get rid of the mould permanently unless you eliminate the source.

Call us at Quality Building Inspection toll-free on 1800 656 343 to share your concerns and questions.

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