Best way to deal with walls that aren't square

Discussion in 'Repairs & Maintenance' started by Surfbaby, 7th May, 2018.

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  1. Surfbaby

    Surfbaby Member

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    Hi Guys,

    We have recently taken possession of our Melbourne apartment which is solid double brick, however now that the tenants have moved out and we have had a much closer look at our vacant apartment we have noticed some of the walls actually aren't square. The tiles that are all the way thru the apartment have also been laid quite crooked so it looks even worse. We were thinking to do a vinyl floor over the tile but now are wondering what the best way to disguise this problem is? As we intend to turn it into an investment property we don't want to spend the earth doing any structural works!
    Any suggestions are welcomed!!!
     
  2. hobartchic

    hobartchic Well-Known Member

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    Not much of an investment if the roof collapses. Get advice from a structural engineer and go from there.
     
  3. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Paint it blue and ignore it.

    Plain carpet, no joins or patterns - nothing to lead your eyes.
     
  4. Surfbaby

    Surfbaby Member

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    Blue?! It's pretty hard to ignore a blue apartment! hahaha
    So a wood look may not be the best idea in that case, will look at other options. It was built in 1971 and there are no visable cracks or damage anywhere in or around the building so just a case of below average workmanship or something more sinister?!
     
  5. hobartchic

    hobartchic Well-Known Member

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    Who knows? Spend a few hundred on an engineer's report.
     
  6. Surfbaby

    Surfbaby Member

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    Sweet, I'm looking into that right now!
     
  7. Tools

    Tools Well-Known Member

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    What could an engineer possibly report on in this situation?

    Tools
     
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  8. Handyandy

    Handyandy Well-Known Member

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    Just shoddy workmanship. Certainly nothing structurally to worry about if it's been standing since 1971.

    We are dealing with a floor in a unit of the same vintage which has a fall from front door to back bedroom of 90mm not even worrying about the crooked walls.

    Why worry about the tiles on the ground when obviously it was tenanted previously with no concerns. I am sure you will find a tenant who is prepared to life with the situation that is if they notice it at all.
     
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  9. hobartchic

    hobartchic Well-Known Member

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    Whether or not the structure is safe. If it is, then you can do something cosmetic, if not look to fix.
     
  10. hobartchic

    hobartchic Well-Known Member

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    I was looking at a place a few months ago. Still standing but lost occupancy certificate. Needed demo.
     
  11. Tools

    Tools Well-Known Member

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    OP is talking about rooms being out of square, not falling down around their ears.

    Tools
     
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  12. hobartchic

    hobartchic Well-Known Member

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    Yep, I read that. The cause might be structural. I would want to find out. The alternative is that it might fall around their ears.
     
  13. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    Leave it, but some cheap furniture or a cheap package to stage the place, or if it is an in demand area, do nothing, tenants not likely to be bothered as long as it is clean and fuctional.
     
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  14. Tools

    Tools Well-Known Member

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    It would be blatantly obvious if there were structural issues causing rooms to be out of square.

    Tools
     
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  15. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    The only time you would need to worry about that would be large movement, there would be cracks everywhere, and too late once you own it anyways.....

    But I have seen plenty of people remove load carrying walls inside units with no permission obviously, but that does not seem to be what is going on here.
     
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  16. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Is it intentional?
     
  17. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    It is to draw you eyes away from the fact that there is no kitchen or WC or laundry.....but open plan is the rage ATM right.
     
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  18. Arosst

    Arosst New Member

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    As scott said above, avoid patterns or things that draw your eye. If you need to tile then avoid grid pattern as it will emphasise what is not square. stagger the tiles like a brick layer does with bricks. Don't use a contrasting grout. Rather try and make grout line blend with tile.
     
  19. Deborah McGregor

    Deborah McGregor Member

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    If it is an apartment and the problem is structural, this may be something for the body corporate to look into and they may fund an engineers report - usually you would require more evidence than just 'not square' - photos of cracks etc.. but see how you go. In my experience many places are not 'square'. When you are saying the tiling has also been poorly laid, then perhaps it is just a 'workmanship' issue. Whether you do anything about it depends on the price point of your apartment and your target tenant.
     
  20. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    What better way to waste money than a BC with 10, 20 or 30 wannabee "Bob the Builders"

    Too late, place has been built, don't buy what you do not like or wont accept, no good turning to Strata.....
     
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