Defects found at Sudhan, Intelligent Building houses in Box Hill, Rouse Hill, Melonba

A poorly-supported ceiling, termite hazards and shoddy brickwork have been uncovered across multiple properties in northwest Sydney after inspections by the state’s construction watchdog.

Poor brickwork was a common defect at houses the NSW Building Commissioner inspected.

The NSW Building Commission has ordered companies constructing several northwest Sydney residential properties to repair damages after dozens of defects were uncovered at the homes.

The problems were found at Box Hill, Melonba and Rouse Hill after inspections late last year and published in a NSW Fair Trading report.

At Box Hill, Intelligent Building was issued rectification orders at 66 Outback St after inspections in October and December revealed poor work on the double-storey property.

The inspection report stated ceiling joists were not sufficiently supported to take the ceiling load in the wall frame between the hall and bedrooms.

Poor structural work was also identified on the first floor above the walk-in wardrobe which could lead to “structural failure causing damage to building elements”, according to the report.

Intelligent Building has 30 days to fix the damage from December.

In the new suburb of Melonba, company Sudhan must fix nine defects each at 16 Conkerberry St and 144 Diamondback Pde.

The fledgling suburb of Melonba.

Potential water damage and inadequate brick work were blights on the Conkerberry St dwelling.

Weep holes were missing in the brick under the windows, which could potentially cause water to be trapped. Weep holes are the gaps between bricks in external walls and manage moisture.

“The window flashings will trap moisture without a drainage point to the outside face of the masonry,’’ the report stated.

“Weep holes, where not installed under windows can restrict moisture to drain freely from the brick cavities, therefore, resulting in trapped moisture within the brick cavities that could potentially damage building elements, and reduce the intended lifespan of the building.’’

Too much cement mortar was also restricting moisture escape from the brick cavities on the building’s exterior.

Residents could also be faced with a termite invasion after a barrier was incorrectly installed.

The report stated: “Failure to ensure that the termite barrier is visibly installed at the face edge of the brick veneer could lead to termite entry into the building, causing structural damage to key building elements, and potential loss of amenity to the occupants.’’

Failure to install termite barriers could lead to the unwanted guests. Picture: Dave Hunt

Alarms were raised when too much debris was found on the external bricks – making the building susceptible to water penetration and damage that could reduce the structure’s lifespan.

A failure to install brick ties properly on the timber frame external walls and doorway openings could “allow for potential cracking” and reduce the building’s lifespan.

The insulation blanket on the roof was not installed by manufacturing standards, potentially causing “moisture to enter the roof space, potentially damaging other building materials

reducing the intended lifespan of the building’’.

The list of defects grew in the kitchen island bar where the electrical services were run in the same conduit as the water service instead of being separated.

If a failure occurred, the building inspector warned it “could potentially create unhealthy conditions for the occupants”.

Other failures to “damp-proof” the building could allow moisture from the earth and soil to rise up the walls.

Mortar debris and gaps between bricks was a common defect across houses in the northwest Sydney community.

Sudhan repeated many of the same defects at 144 Diamondback Pde including the incorrect installation of the termite barrier, failing to damp-proof the building and not separating the water and electrical services in the kitchen island bar.

Some of the other nine defects also included the failure to waterproof or provide a drainage outlet on the first-floor balcony, which could contribute to the degradation of materials.

Sudhan has more work cut out for it after it was hit with seven rectification orders at 31 Blarneystone Ave in Rouse Hill where problems included poor brick work and failing to prevent dampness.

The report stated omitting “crucial” weatherproofing systems on the balcony sliding door could result in moisture entering the floors inside.

Mortar debris was uncovered throughout the building where it obstructed brick cavities and damp-proof materials, potentially impeding water to drain and posing a risk to damage the building.

Sudhan must fix the defects by April 29.

Originally published as Defects found at Sudhan, Intelligent Building houses in Box Hill, Rouse Hill, Melonba