Australind resident’s warning in wake of ceiling collapse

A Christmas Eve disaster struck one Australind family when the ceiling collapsed in their home.

Now they want to prevent it happening to others and are encouraging community members to get their ceilings checked.

Over 65sqm of ceiling in the main living area came crashing down and ceiling in other areas of the home is being held up by props.

Luckily no one was injured and there was no other damage.

An investigation by the Building Commission in 2017 reviewed 12 cases where ceiling failure was reported and found the homes ranged in age from seven to 15 years, with most homes being completed between 2005 and 2007.

The report found there may have been several contributing factors causing the collapse, but one constant was a poor application of adhesive.

It also revealed that the method of installation used at the time was accepted then, but the building industry has since adapted to predominately use a different method to improve the long term appearance and performance of the ceilings.

Resident Kev Rox is imploring others to be aware of the warning signs and check their ceilings to prevent a similar situation happening.

“It’s not something you’d think should need maintenance so you wouldn’t often check,” he said.

We’re lucky we were able to catch the signs in my daughter’s room and prevent another collapse, or all of her valuables would have been destroyed.

Mr Rox said his family was lucky they cleared out the living room after hearing the first crack, but imagined far worse scenarios could have been possible.

“This would be terrible if it happened in someone’s home in their child’s bedroom or if a toddler was around. Someone could get seriously hurt.”

Warning signs include a loud cracking sound in the ceiling; sagging or dropping of plasterboard sheeting and/or the cornice; and/or visual cracking and/or small circles on the ceiling.

Visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au to learn how to conduct ceiling checks.