Fair Trading NSW identifies defects at 7 Wedgetail Ave, Austral
A southwest Sydney home has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog over fears “serious defects” in the property could lead to “unhealthy conditions” for occupants.
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A southwest Sydney home has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog over fears “serious defects” in the property could lead to “unhealthy conditions” for occupants and potential cracking.
A modified building rectification order has been issued by Fair Trading NSW to developer, Gujjar Construction Pty Ltd, following an inspection of 7 Wedgetail Ave, Austral.
An inspection found 10 “serious defects” that, according to Fair Trading, failed to comply with Australian building standards.
The defects included weep holes – gaps left between some bricks in external walls – were blocked by mortar and debris which could prevent proper drainage and lead to water accumulation within the wall.
Fair Trading said the defect could also cause additional deterioration of the building and “create unhealthy conditions for the occupants”.
An additional moisture concern was raised after inspectors found the damp-proofing course – a barrier inside a wall to prevent moisture – was not visible at the face of the brickwork on the majority of external walls.
“This will potentially allow rising damp to breach the DPC causing deterioration of building elements and create unhealthy conditions for the occupants,” Fair Trading said.
Inspectors also found the thickness of mortar joints were “excessive” which could create areas of low tensile strength – how much weight a material can withstand – which can lead to cracking.
A further cracking concern was discovered after multiple mortar joints were not completely filled with mortar.
Another defect included the roof gutter not being graded towards the downpipe and was holding water at the two front corners of the gutter over the front porch entry.
Acting director of building compliance for the NSW Building Commission Yolande Nyss, who issued the order, has ordered all defects to be remediated to ensure the building meets compliance standards.
“I accept that the order requires specified steps to be taken that may be costly. I give this consideration moderate weight,” she said.
“However, the cost to the contractor must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers to be gained from having the defects rectified.”
The building rectification order for the Austral property comes after the watchdog issued an order to developer Champs Properties Pty Ltd following an inspection of the apartment building at 83 Campbell St, Liverpool.
An inspection identified 42 separate “serious” defects, including cracking on the site.
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