We inspect for - Rising Damp | Flooded basements | Lateral Damp | Condensation | Water Leaks | Lateral Damp - We are Melbourne based

Rental Advocacy

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Who we are

We help to resolve property condition and maintenance disputes between tenants and managers
Read about legislative requirements for rental properties HERE!

Our company assists tenants, property owners and property agents to achieve satisfactory outcomes in property condition and maintenance dispute resolution, without access to any official court or tribunal. As everyone involved in the rental of residential dwellings knows, 95% of the disputes regarding rented dwellings revolve around the condition of the dwelling and the resolving of maintenance issues. In Melbourne this often is most specifically centred around health issues surrounding condensation and mould and a llack of heat.We aim to resolve disputes to the satisfaction of all parties. We are often appointed by tenants or property managers to resolve tenancy issues and we find that our intervention can assist all parties to the dispute to achieve a satisfactory non hostile resolution. Our fees are minimal. Whenever required, we can and do call on solicitors, property experts and even accountants. Click to call us HERE . John can be contacted directly on 0409 191 209 or via email.

Condensation is the premier cause of mould growth in buildings

Property agents and owners - is your property compliant?

John Turner is the lead investigator for our company - and is one of Victoria's leading moisture and mould detection and identification experts and frequently advises households, businesses and government departments on how to deal with mould and moisture. John has more than 20 years of experience in inspecting, identifying and remediating all types of moisture and water damage in buildings - both residential and commercial - throughout Victoria. He frequently travels around Victoria investigating damp issues and preparing reports for property owners. His knowledge and experience has taught him to easily identify dampness and its causes - and the ability to create a scope of works which will permanently resolve any dampness and moisture issues. Click to call us HERE . John can be contacted directly on 0409 191 209 or via email.

Tenants

Before you talk to your agency, talk to us first
Read about legislative requirements for rental properties HERE!

You need to understand the property you have rented before you move in. Why did you rent it in the first place? Understanding why you rented the property will assist you should things turn sour.Our business specialises in mapping moisture in any building, seeking out water leaks from pressurised water pipes, locating and identifying all aspects of moisture and dampness in any built environment and then producing reports on the property that identifies all moisture and damp issues. To achieve this, we utilise some of the most sophisticated equipment available - from traditional moisture metres, to thermal imaging cameras and more traditional inspection cameras. We can inspect inside cavities both intrusively and non intrusively. Once all the moisture issues are identified and logged, we prepare a written report for the property owner. Our written reports are often used in tribunal and dispute resolution circumstances. The reports can include (as an option) a scope of works and even a cost estimate for the required works. We do not undertake any works, our only focus is on identifying the issues and providing the report to enable the property owner or manager to resolve all outstanding issues. We also have a service which can oversee the works and inspect the end result to ensure the repairs have been undertaken in a correct manner. We can also direct you to the appropriate company to undertake the works; however a lot of homeowners use our scope of works to undertake the work themselves using our reports as a blueprint.


Condensation is the premier cause of mould growth in buildings

Condensation issues are a major problem in Melbourne and rural Victoria every winter. Emminently resolveable, The Damp Inspector can supply a scope to resolve these issues.

All about damp

Dampness can come in many forms. The most common damp or moisture issues that householders have to deal with are rising damp and condensation. Rising damp is always located in brick buildings and is the process whereby moisture gets drawn into the masonry bricks and mortar and then slowly rises upwards via capillary action. As the moisture rises thrpough the bricks and mortar, the salt and mineral deposits that are in the moisture expand and contract as the moisture levels rise and fall and force disruption upon the masonry surfaces. Oveer time the mortar and the bricks can erode, over many years. It is important to undersatand that damoness that invades masonry works is generally NOT a major defect. Many building inmspectors flag dampness located in a brick wall as a major defect whe nothing could be fuirther from the truth. The impact of moisture in your masonry wall surface can take years to develop. The only time it becomes a structural defect is when the mortar has eroded to such an extent that bricks can become unstable. Fore more information click here

Distinction between moisture and liquid

It is important to understand the clear distinction between moisture/dampness and liquid/water. In most instances, the presence of ponding or ground water around or under a dwelling indicates that there is a drainage issue which requires resolving. Generally speaking this is completed with additional agi drains on the powerful side of the dwelling which can capture both ground and subground water prior to it impacting on the masonry wall surfaces and footings of the building. On the other hand, moisture can be present in a masonry wall, or in a subfloor void without any ponding water present. Accordingly it is dealt with in a different manner. Oftern adding mechanical ventilation is enough to overcome built up moisture in a subflooor void for example. In osme instances both mechanical ventilation and drainage can be required. Our inspections and reports will identify all of the issues present and offer the appropriate remedies.

Stopping water ingress or managing water ingress?

Modern arguments surrounding halting water ingress can be complicated when the water table is saturated and the division between the water table and the soil surface becomes indestinguishable. This can occur when the area beneath the building is excavated into the area generally inhabited by the water table. In this instance there is an argument for managing the water as opposed to trying to halt the water. Water management or control can be the difference between subfloor moisture causing damage to structural timbers or to having a healthy subfloor.

What equipment we use

We have the most professional and sophisticated testing equipment available which is required to identify water and dampness in any property. Inspection camera, moisture detectors, thermal imaging cameras.

The Damp Inspector Pty Ltd

4 Tate St, Ivanhoe 3079. P (03) 9499 8600 | M 0409 191 209 |E john@thedampinspector.com.au