Common Building Problems

Straight-talking diagnosis of the most common masonry, concrete and structural issues we see across Sydney. Pick the problem that matches what you are seeing.

Concrete Cancer

Rusting steel inside concrete walls and balconies — the most common structural problem in Sydney apartment blocks.

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Cracked Brick Walls

Not every crack is serious — but some absolutely are. Here is how to tell the difference.

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Failing Retaining Walls

Leaning, bulging, cracking — retaining walls fail for a reason, and patching the symptom never works.

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Rising Damp

Damp, salty, crumbling brickwork at the base of a wall — rising damp is an old-building problem that needs an old-building fix.

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Spalling & Falling Render

Render does not fall off healthy walls. When it does, the wall underneath is usually the real problem.

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Crumbling Mortar Joints

Soft crumbling joints, gaps between bricks, mortar falling out when you brush it — your wall is overdue for proper repointing.

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Foundation Movement & Settlement

Cracks appearing in walls, doors that stick, floors that slope — your house may be on the move.

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Chimney Cracks & Leaks

Chimneys take the weather full-on for 100+ years — and they show it before the rest of the house does.

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Efflorescence & Salt Damage

White crystals on your walls are not just ugly — they are telling you salt is inside the brickwork, and it is destroying it from within.

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Leaking Balconies

Water coming through from the balcony above is almost always the membrane — and almost never fixed by more silicone.

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Tuckpointing Restoration

The fine-line decorative pointing on Victorian terraces — when it is done well, it defines the facade.

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Sandstone Weathering & Erosion

Sydney sandstone is beautiful but not indestructible — salt, water and poor repairs all wear it down over time.

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Damaged Lintels Above Windows & Doors

The horizontal beam above your window or door. When it fails, everything above it starts cracking.

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Cavity Wall Tie Failure

The hidden steel ties holding two brick walls together rust and fail — most 1960s-80s brick veneer homes are affected.

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Not sure what you're looking at?

Send a photo or call Minas directly. 30 years of Sydney masonry — he will tell you straight what it is and what it needs.

0414 922 276