There are few forces on Earth that cause as much devastation as water. For homeowners, poorly constructed or maintained wet areas are like ticking time bombs. It doesn’t take a tsunami to destroy a home. Even a minor leak can cause water to build up and penetrate vulnerable porous structures.
In the world of building construction inspections, the bathroom is given special consideration as one of the most utilized wet areas in the home. It is essential that all plumbing and water proofing is checked as far as possible. All checks listed in the Australian Standard 4349.1 are done.
Inspection Checklist
When inspecting a bathroom, Houspect covers every installation and structure in the bathroom. The list of items that are inspected is extensive and includes more than just the plumbing.
This is one of the most important construction inspections in a home. The structural integrity of your home can depend on the safeguards in your bathroom. Any compromised water proofing structures will allow water from leaks to go unnoticed while the resulting water causes untold damage.
Toilet, Sink, Bath & Shower
Obviously the toilet, sink, bath and shower are the sources of running water in the bathroom. The inspection involves checking the functionality of your plumbing and looking for cracks or leaks.
A qualified builder will identify issues with plumbing, such as water hammer or leaks. The inspector will also check hot and cold water flow. These installations are the source of potentially serious issues, which could result in the homeowner paying significant renovation costs.
Tiling and Water Proofing
Water proofing systems and materials are only effective if they are properly installed and maintained. Your inspector will check grout and sealants, and look for any cracks and loose tiles that could allow water to penetrate water proofed structures such as walls and flooring.
The sealants around baths, toilets, sinks and showers are also checked for weak areas that could result in leaks. Anywhere that water is allowed to gather poses the risk of mould forming, which can present a significant health risk to occupants of a home who are sensitive to mould.
Vanity Units & Mirrors
No feature in your bathroom escapes scrutiny during an inspection. The quality and functionality of vanity units is checked. Drawers, doors and materials are inspected.
The inspection also involves checking fixed mirrors in the bathroom. Mirrors must conform to safety standards and be correctly installed. Checking the workmanship in a bathroom installation is an important part of an inspection. Poor workmanship is a sure indication that there is a risk of leaks and flooding once the bathroom is in use.
Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the home and is also a likely place to suffer injury as the result of an accident. A properly constructed bathroom can help prevent many injuries that are caused by slipping or due to damaged surfaces and installations.
Houspect provides expert construction inspections for bathrooms. Our qualified builder inspectors conduct thorough bathroom inspections for homeowners in South Australia. Call Houspect today for all your bathroom inspection needs.
