Up through the manhole: roof space faults at Strathtulloh handovers
Exhaust fans venting into the ceiling, cut sarking and batts pushed aside. Why every handover inspection should include the roof space.
In short: The roof space is where some of the costliest handover items hide, and it is the one place a buyer on a walk through never goes.
Fans that vent into the roof
Bathroom fans and rangehoods are meant to discharge outside. When the duct ends in the roof space, warm moist air condenses on the underside of the roof and the timbers. We have found this at Strathtulloh handovers more than once.
Sarking cut by trades
Sarking is the reflective layer under the tiles that catches any water getting past them. Trades cut it to run services and leave it open, which leaves the ceiling exposed to leaks.
Batts out of place
Insulation is walked on and pushed aside during fit out. Bare patches above rooms waste energy and create cold spots on ceilings.
No walkway to the heater
A ducted heating unit in the roof needs a safe continuous path from the manhole for servicing. Without one, every service visit risks a foot through the ceiling.
How we inspect it
We go up through the manhole wherever it is safe, photograph ducts, sarking and insulation, and note any areas we could not reach.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Strathtulloh. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
