This week is the first time I recommended a house be demolished! It was found to be structurally unsound and unsafe. It was very old but the purchaser wanted to see if there was any way it could be saved. We found most of the flooring had been eaten by termites, most of the wall structure, some of the roof frame and we could hear the termites working in the walls while standing in the bedroom.

The key to keeping a building in good order for longer is regular maintenance and regular Pest Inspections along with treatments if required.

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other building matter, you can call Trevor at BPI Building and Pest Inspections on (07) 5456 2210 visit http://buildingandpestinspectionnambour.com.au or email us on sunshinecoastnorth@bpic.com.au

BPI Nambour finds signs of movement to rear verandah.  Unsafe handrail – large gaps.

• subsidence/movement to deck
• large gaps to handrails
• weather damage to frame timbers

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other building matter, you can call Trevor at BPI Building and Pest Inspections on (07) 5456 2210 visit http://buildingandpestinspectionnambour.com.au or email us on sunshinecoastnorth@bpic.com.au

Electrical safety issue and should be referred to an electrician for repairs.

· Conduit is damaged

· Exposed electrical wires to hot water system

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other building matter, you can call Trevor at BPI Building and Pest Inspections on (07) 5456 2210 visit http://buildingandpestinspectionnambour.com.au or email us on sunshinecoastnorth@bpic.com.au

find Termites in Treated Pine fence

Treated pine fence full of termites

If you cut a treated pine paling you leave an unprotected entry point for termites, the cut must be treated.

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other building matter, you can call Trevor at BPI Building and Pest Inspections on (07) 5456 2210 visit http://buildingandpestinspectionnambour.com.au or email us on sunshinecoastnorth@bpic.com.au

Electrical safety issue and should be referred to an electrician for repairs.

· Conduit is damaged

· Exposed electrical wires to hot water system

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other building matter, you can call Trevor at BPI Building and Pest Inspections on (07) 5456 2210 visit http://buildingandpestinspectionnambour.com.au or email us on sunshinecoastnorth@bpic.com.au

I conducted an inspection on 2nd October and found a prime example of
concrete cancer to an entrance verandah slab- see photo.
Concrete cancer is usually caused by placing the steel reinforcement too close
to the external slab edges- usually less that 50mm. Water penetration causes
the concrete reinforcement to rust and expand which in turn creates stresses
on the surrounding concrete which can then spall (break away). The initial
cause of concrete cancer is usually water penetration. When calcium oxide
reacts with water that penetrates the concrete it forms a solution of calcium
hydroxide.
Concrete cancer can be treated in some structures. In order to repair the
damaged areas, the spalled concrete must be removed and any exposed steel
must either be replaced or cleaned and treated with rust inhibitor. The area is
then repaired to the original concrete profile by coating the exposed area with
Bondcrete and using cement mortar, epoxy mortar or concrete, depending on
the size of the damage and the structural requirements.
Cracks are repaired using suitable epoxy resins, special mortars and injection
techniques. This process is referred to as ‘crack injection’ and may constitute a
negative membrane. Negative membranes will not prevent water from
entering the concrete, merely shift the water’s direction through the slab.
Treatment of concrete cancer must incorporate proper waterproofing or risk
being a temporary solution.
Concrete cancer is increasingly common in structures which have not been
sufficiently waterproofed. As builders cut costs on waterproofing membranes,
the problems are increasing. The incidence of concrete cancer is particularly
high in countries such as Australia where liquid applied membranes are still
commonly used. Liquid membranes are often used inappropriately, and lead to
water penetrating into the concrete. If early symptoms including the presence
of calcium stalactites beneath the slab and visible rust from the slab are
apparent, a stop leak specialist should be called immediately to assess the
potential for damage.

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other building matter, you can call Trevor at BPI Building and Pest Inspections on (07) 5456 2210 visit http://buildingandpestinspectionnambour.com.au or email us on sunshinecoastnorth@bpic.com.au

Trevor has lived on the Sunshine Coast for many years and worked  in the Building Industry in Qld for Over 30 years.

He offers prompt and Professional Service, with a fair and honest evaluation of your inspection.

Trevor uses the latest technology in Thermal Imaging Cameras and Moisture Meters.

Trevor offers a personal service, he welcomes you to attend the inspection and answer any questions you may have.

We deliver an easy to read  computer written report with  colour photos within 24 hours by email.

Just call and we organize the rest.