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All the home inspectors I looked at (Victoria, where this house is, plus Tasmania) were all quite clear that they would only access areas they could find a way

All the home inspectors I looked at (Victoria, where this house is, plus Tasmania) were all quite clear that they would only access areas they could find a way in. Closed up areas, wouldn't be inspected by default.

bluGill 1y ago
In fact things like attic hatches are supposed to be sealed ane so even though seen the inspector is not allowed in the attic. (Unless there is other evedence of a problem, though they need to repair the seal in that case.
- jfengel 1y ago
  Why is that? That seems odd.
  - bluGill 1y ago
    Air seal. If the hetch can open it leaks unconditioned air and the house is less energy efficient.
- viraptor 1y ago
  It's that something regional for specific access type? My Victorian houses always had the roof hatch accessible - it's just another storage area and needs to be available if you want to rewire something.
  - bluGill 1y ago
    It is fairly new, strarted inithe late 1990s. It doesn't apply to old houses.
    - viraptor 1y ago
      No, a completely new house. No access is sealed/blocked in any way. If you know the specific regulation, please post it.
      - bluGill 1y ago
        Codes are very regional, and I'm no longer in construction where I have the code handy.applies in Minnesota anyway
        bombcar 1y ago
        https://structuretech.com/attic-inspections-sealed-access-panels/ https://structuretech.com/attic-inspections-sealed-access-pa... Is a MN inspector and they cover it. Attic access has to be weatherstripped - cheap ass builders just seal it. I ain’t buying’ no pig in a poke. If it’s new construction I can inspect before completion (and you should); if it’s used, I am breaking the seal and crossing the streams. Attics got way too much “fun” to discover.
        bluGill 1y ago
        > Attic access has to be weatherstripped - cheap ass builders just seal it. True. > If it’s new construction I can inspect before completion (and you should); if it’s used, I am breaking the seal and crossing the streams. Attics got way too much “fun” to discover. Don't do this! you can't see much anyway. At least not without walking up there and that disturbs your insulation. Everything you care about is about the roof working, so look at the roof from the outside. Keep the roof in good shape and you don't need to go in the attic. Also until the house is yours you are not allowed to break that seal. Once it is your house you can do whatever you want, but it is too late.
        throwaway173738 1y ago
        Things like rodents entering the house are a big problem and will only be evident by inspecting spaces people don’t clean.
        viraptor 1y ago
        Cool... The thread is about Victoria, Australia.
- NL807 1y ago
  Nonsense. Every house built in Victoria has an accessible hatch to the roof space. The hatches are not sealed either, it's just a lid resting over the opening, which can be pushed upward. Some have hinges, etc.
  - aussieguy1234 1y ago
    My house is in Victoria and I can confirm there is no roof hatch. Its a 3 story house. No access or crawl space between the floors either.
    - nandomrumber 1y ago
      Skillion roof? Probably doesn’t have a roof space.
brunker2 1y ago
Incidentally, I'm in Victoria myself. When I bought my house, the inspector did the works. Multiple roof spaces, got under the house and had a look, full report with photos, phone call consultation to explain everything he saw to me. He even notified the sellers of an urgent issue and they had it fixed that afternoon. I guess it depends who you hire (and whether or not you want to know about any issues, which is the most compelling reason I've seen in the replies so far for why this was "missed").

bluGill 1y ago

In fact things like attic hatches are supposed to be sealed ane so even though seen the inspector is not allowed in the attic. (Unless there is other evedence of a problem, though they need to repair the seal in that case.

jfengel 1y ago
Why is that? That seems odd.
- bluGill 1y ago
  Air seal. If the hetch can open it leaks unconditioned air and the house is less energy efficient.
viraptor 1y ago
It's that something regional for specific access type? My Victorian houses always had the roof hatch accessible - it's just another storage area and needs to be available if you want to rewire something.
- bluGill 1y ago
  It is fairly new, strarted inithe late 1990s. It doesn't apply to old houses.
  - viraptor 1y ago
    No, a completely new house. No access is sealed/blocked in any way. If you know the specific regulation, please post it.
    - bluGill 1y ago
      Codes are very regional, and I'm no longer in construction where I have the code handy.applies in Minnesota anyway
      - bombcar 1y ago
        https://structuretech.com/attic-inspections-sealed-access-panels/ https://structuretech.com/attic-inspections-sealed-access-pa... Is a MN inspector and they cover it. Attic access has to be weatherstripped - cheap ass builders just seal it. I ain’t buying’ no pig in a poke. If it’s new construction I can inspect before completion (and you should); if it’s used, I am breaking the seal and crossing the streams. Attics got way too much “fun” to discover.
        bluGill 1y ago
        > Attic access has to be weatherstripped - cheap ass builders just seal it. True. > If it’s new construction I can inspect before completion (and you should); if it’s used, I am breaking the seal and crossing the streams. Attics got way too much “fun” to discover. Don't do this! you can't see much anyway. At least not without walking up there and that disturbs your insulation. Everything you care about is about the roof working, so look at the roof from the outside. Keep the roof in good shape and you don't need to go in the attic. Also until the house is yours you are not allowed to break that seal. Once it is your house you can do whatever you want, but it is too late.
        throwaway173738 1y ago
        Things like rodents entering the house are a big problem and will only be evident by inspecting spaces people don’t clean.
      - viraptor 1y ago
        Cool... The thread is about Victoria, Australia.
NL807 1y ago
Nonsense. Every house built in Victoria has an accessible hatch to the roof space. The hatches are not sealed either, it's just a lid resting over the opening, which can be pushed upward. Some have hinges, etc.
- aussieguy1234 1y ago
  My house is in Victoria and I can confirm there is no roof hatch. Its a 3 story house. No access or crawl space between the floors either.
  - nandomrumber 1y ago
    Skillion roof? Probably doesn’t have a roof space.

brunker2 1y ago

Incidentally, I'm in Victoria myself. When I bought my house, the inspector did the works. Multiple roof spaces, got under the house and had a look, full report with photos, phone call consultation to explain everything he saw to me. He even notified the sellers of an urgent issue and they had it fixed that afternoon. I guess it depends who you hire (and whether or not you want to know about any issues, which is the most compelling reason I've seen in the replies so far for why this was "missed").