The Property Couch
The Property Couch
Ben Kingsley, Opti & The Couch Crew
The #1 Thing That Wrecks Property | FUNdamental Fridays
9 minutes Posted May 22, 2026 at 2:00 am.
Welcome to Friday Fundamentals
Paul Baker’s hill to die on
Why water causes so many home issues
How water leads to movement, mould and pest problems
Water issues you can’t see under a slab
Real story: the pipe failure under Paul’s home
The surprising fix that avoided major damage
Small bathroom issues that can become big problems
Why waterproofing matters so much
Water, timber and hidden damage
Balconies, pools and other high-risk areas
What to look for outside a property
Why water problems need professional repairs
Final takeaway: water can wreck property value
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Show notes
In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben is joined by building inspector Paul Baker to unpack one of the most common causes of property damage: Water. It comes from everywhere — leaking gutters, under-slab plumbing issues, failed waterproofing, cracked grout, balconies, bathrooms, and more. And according to Paul, it’s behind the vast majority of the issues he sees in homes. This conversation breaks down why water causes so much damage, what warning signs buyers and owners should look out for,...