High Weather Tightness Risk - Report Extension

Undertake a non-invasive Pre-Purchase inspection

The risks of a leaky home

When moisture enters a home even in small amounts it can cause catastrophic damage. Most residential homes in new Zealand have been constructed with timber and steel and these materials can suffer significant damage (rot and rust) due to the presence of moisture. There can be serious health concerns to consider with the growth of toxic moulds that can be harmful to humans if inhaled. Damp living areas can also exacerbate or promote other health issues like Asthma and other raspatory illness.

Moisture Detection

In some cases, moisture is impossible to detect using non-invasive techniques. That’s why a fully trained and experienced inspector is required to not only look for moisture, but areas of elevated weathertightness risk, and poor design that might be concealing issues.

HPPI inspections will consider weathertightness but some buildings can have higher risk design and/or materials like plaster/monolithic clad structures and these will take more time to inspect and report. In this case, you are required to advise us of the homes features so we can be prepared and provide accurate quoting.

Non Invasive testing

The first phase of any building survey is a non-invasive inspection, if concerns are found, then invasive investigation carried out by a specialist is the only way to determine the presence of any concealed damage.

Hppi reports will shed light on any areas of concern visible through non-invasive testing. Our Moisture Meters used on every job, assist us in picking up non-visible areas of concern where moisture levels are raised, But given we will not have permission to cut any holes in the houses we inspect, we will not carry out invasive testing in our standard reports and so, just like all building inspection reports in the market; our reports are not ‘comprehensive moisture reports’.

The aim of a building report is firstly to uncover any visible risks, and if required, more destructive testing may be required to determine the full scope of required repair, and the cause of the issue.

Often, banks will require additional reporting requirements on certain high risk homes. Hppi also recommended additional reporting on high risk homes which include:

• Monolithic or plaster Cladding
• Homes consented during the leaky home period (early 1990’s -2004)
• Homes with architectural design
• Homes with high weathertightness risk features

This is an add on to our standard written report. This is a visual non-invasive inspection to identify major concerns, significant maintenance, areas of weathertightness risk, and to give an overall condition of the home when considered against homes of similar age and construction type.

This report will also advise of areas that may require further investigation, and who may be required to undertake these specialist inspections.

• Encompasses the NZS 3406-2005 standard for residential building inspections.
• NZIBI affiliated inspector available on request (Banks can require this)
• This is a full written report provided within 1 working day of the inspection completion.
• Used on high risk homes like homes with monolithic claddings or high risk design
• Records moisture readings in the report in each room as lenders often require this