A sagging stone benchtop: what a defect investigation looks for
How we investigated a visibly sagging stone benchtop near Truganina, and why the answer was full replacement.
In short: A stone benchtop that has sagged cannot be pushed back flat. The investigation is about why it sagged and what a compliant fix looks like.
The finding
A March 2026 investigation in Derrimut, next door to Truganina, centred on a stone kitchen benchtop with a dip along its length, visible with a straight edge and obvious with a level.
What we measured
Deflection along the length of the benchtop with a level and straight edge, and the support underneath: what the stone was sitting on, how far it spanned and whether the substrate met the manufacturer's requirements.
What we found
The benchtop was sagging because the support beneath was insufficient. Stone does not recover from that deflection, so the investigation recommended full removal and replacement with compliant support.
The other kitchen items
The same visit recorded cabinets chipped and scratched from being stored on the slab and used as supports during installation, a pantry splashback patched with plaster without proper joints, and a sink stored so poorly that mould had grown in it before it was fitted.
Where this goes next
A defect investigation report goes to the builder. If they dispute it and the matter heads to the BPC dispute resolution service or VCAT, an expert witness report is the document for that stage.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Truganina. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
