When render covers something it should not

In short: Render carried over detail on a Schofields build.

What we recorded

Render carried over detail on a Schofields job at lock-up, where it should have stopped short.

Weep holes, flashing edges and movement joints all rely on being open. Render across them removes the function and the evidence at once.

Rendering is fast work over a large area, and stopping neatly at a small detail takes deliberate care.

By knowing what should be visible at that point and noticing that it is not.

Cutting the render back, which is straightforward before painting and awkward afterwards.

Written by the Owner Inspections team from inspections carried out in Schofields. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.

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Questions Schofields owners ask about this

Is it cosmetic?

No. Where it covers a weep hole or a flashing edge it is a functional defect, and the report cites what it has covered.

Would I notice?

Only if you knew what was meant to be there, which is the difficulty with this whole class of finding.

Is it expensive?

Not at the time. It becomes expensive when the wall behind it needs attention years later.

Does it affect the warranty?

It is a defect against the Code and the tolerances guide, so it belongs on the list while the builder is engaged.