In short: At a Castle Hill handover inspection in August 2026, roof vents had been installed with no flashing, a rainhead had no overflow and the damp course sat too close to the ground. All were fixable before the keys changed hands.
The roof is where the serious items were
Inside, the list was what you would expect at handover: paint touch ups, sealant, a few adjustments. The items that could actually let water into the house were on the roof and the outside walls.
Penetrations without flashings
Two roof vents had been fitted with no flashing around them. Rain would have run straight down beside each pipe into the roof space. From the ground, nothing looked wrong, which is why we go up or fly a drone.
A rainhead with nowhere to overflow
The rainhead serving the upper roof had no overflow outlet. If its downpipe blocked with leaves, the water would back up toward the building rather than spill harmlessly outside.
Damp course too close to the ground
Along one wall the finished ground sat within 50 mm of the damp proof course. Garden beds and paving laid at the end of a job often cause this, and it lets moisture bypass the barrier.
Why timing matters
Every one of these items went to the builder before the final payment. After settlement the same items become warranty claims under the Home Building Act, which work, but more slowly.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Castle Hill. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
