Red LBP Building Inspections - Franklin

😬 𝗪𝗧𝗙 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆: Breakfast of champions?

Weatherside cladding has earned a few nicknames over the years… and “soggy Weet-Bix” is probably one of the kinder ones.

Made from compressed wood fibre, it didn’t always cope particularly well with New Zealand’s wet climate. 💧

When deterioration starts, moisture can become a much bigger concern than appearances alone.

Sometimes the biggest issues are hiding behind what looks like a simple cladding problem. 🔎

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

🌿 Plants and cladding don’t always make good neighbours.

Many modern cladding systems rely on ventilation openings at the base of the wall to allow air to circulate and moisture to escape.

When plants, garden beds, mulch, or soil cover these openings, airflow can be restricted and moisture can become trapped. 💧
Over time, this can create damp conditions and increase the risk of deterioration around the base of the wall.

Keeping vegetation trimmed back and maintaining good clearances helps the cladding system perform the way it was designed to. ✅

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210�📧 [email protected]�🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

💧 New Zealand’s climate can be tough on homes.

With high rainfall, cool winters, and periods of high humidity, moisture issues are something many homeowners will deal with at some point.

Even well-maintained homes can experience problems if ventilation, drainage, and general upkeep aren’t kept on top of.

Common signs can include:
🔎 Condensation
🔎 Mould growth
🔎 Damp smells
🔎 Moisture staining

The earlier moisture issues are identified, the easier and more cost-effective they are to address.

A little prevention now can save a lot of hassle later. ✅

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

💧 Moisture issues can affect more than just the building.

When buyers see signs of moisture, mould, staining, or unexplained readings, it naturally raises questions.

🔎 How long has it been there?
🔎 What’s causing it?
🔎 How much will it cost to fix?

These uncertainties can slow negotiations, impact buyer confidence, and sometimes cause purchasers to walk away altogether.

Identifying issues early and understanding the cause can make a big difference when it comes to making informed property decisions.

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

😬 𝗪𝗧𝗙 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆: Unauthorised occupants detected

Subfloor inspections can reveal all sorts of surprises… and sometimes the current residents aren’t paying rent 🐝

This particular nest had well and truly taken ownership of the space beneath the home.

It’s a good reminder that what’s happening underneath a property can be just as important as what you can see above ground. 🔎

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

💧 Mould is usually a symptom — not the problem itself.

Mould doesn’t appear out of nowhere. There’s almost always a moisture source behind it.

Outside the home, common causes include:

🔎 Cracks in cladding
🔎 Unsealed windows and penetrations
🔎 Poor ground clearances
🔎 Blocked vents or drainage issues
🔎 Areas that struggle to dry properly

Cleaning mould might improve how it looks, but identifying and addressing the source of the moisture is what really matters.

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

💧 Ground clearances matter more than many homeowners realise.

When cladding sits too close to the ground, moisture can remain trapped around the base of the wall, creating ideal conditions for mould and deterioration over time.

Common causes include:
🌱 Soil or garden beds built up against the house
🌿 Plants growing against cladding
💧 Poor drainage and constant dampness

As a general guide, cladding should sit approximately:
✅ 100mm above paved surfaces
✅ 175mm above soil, grass, mulch, or bark

Maintaining these clearances helps the cladding dry properly and reduces the risk of moisture-related issues.

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

💧 A damp home can affect more than just the building itself.

Excess moisture can contribute to mould growth and may impact indoor air quality, especially for people with asthma or allergies.

Damp air also tends to feel colder, which often means heaters work harder and energy costs increase 🔥💰

Keeping moisture levels under control can help create a home that feels healthier, warmer, and more comfortable year-round. ✅

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

💦 Moisture problems often start long before obvious damage appears.

What you can see on the surface is sometimes only a small part of the bigger picture.

Left unmanaged, excess moisture can contribute to:
• Mould growth
• Timber deterioration
• Damage to paint and wallpaper
• Issues with soft furnishings and interior finishes

That’s why identifying the source of moisture is so important — not just treating the symptoms. 🔎

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/

🔎 Moisture testing is just as much about knowing where not to test.

Moisture meters are useful tools — but readings can be misleading if they’re used in the wrong places.

❌ Over metal surfaces, which can give false readings
❌ Behind fixed tiles or cabinetry where there’s no access
❌ Areas the meter can’t safely or properly scan
❌ Wet exterior walls or during heavy rain, where results may be unreliable

That’s why experienced inspectors don’t rely on one tool alone.

Different moisture meters are suited to different materials and situations, and understanding the limitations of each is a big part of getting accurate results.

It’s not just about taking readings — it’s about understanding what those readings actually mean. ✅

For clear, practical advice, contact your local, experienced building inspector — Nick Cory, Red LBP Franklin.

📞 027 221 5210
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.redlbp.co.nz/pre-purchase-house-inspection-franklin/