{"id":2752,"date":"2017-07-31T23:41:49","date_gmt":"2017-07-31T13:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.houspect.com.au\/wa\/?p=2752"},"modified":"2018-09-06T13:46:48","modified_gmt":"2018-09-06T03:46:48","slug":"concrete-slab-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.houspect.com.au\/wa\/concrete-slab-down\/","title":{"rendered":"New Home \u2013 Staged Construction Inspections in WA \u2013 Concrete Slab Down"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are building a new home in WA one of the important inspections along the construction journey is the inspection of the initial concrete slab and then any subsequent concrete slabs for upper floors. <\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are We Talking About?<\/h2>\n

In WA the vast majority of homes continue to be built on concrete slab foundations which remain the preferred method for most builders, given the relatively flat sandy soils which cover most of Western Australia.<\/p>\n

Concrete slabs must be installed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2870 and AS 3600. In Western Australia the most common slab thickness is between 85 mm and 100 mm. This thickness will be stated in the specifications document which forms part of the contractual arrangements between client and builder. Most Perth building sites are flat and sandy so an 85 mm slab will generally be sufficient for a single storey residential construction. If you are building a two-storey home and\/or in the hills, engineering requirements usually require a 100 mm slab, with thickening under internal walls. If you have a long slab, perhaps greater than 20 metres in length, any savings from an 85 mm slab will be offset by the requirement for more steel reinforcement. Steel reinforcement increases the tensile strength of concrete and controls the width of shrinkage cracks.<\/p>\n

The core issue is that the concrete slab is the very foundation that your new home relies on. It needs to be right! The slab is the first major deliverable by your builder and hence a key milestone. In essence it\u2019s the first chance to see the quality of work that the builder will be delivering to you. From a project management perspective, the question is often raised \u2013 what is more important – good beginnings or good endings? There is no right answer, but we can state that starting the construction of your new home with your builder on the right foot can be very valuable in setting the right direction for the rest of the construction.<\/p>\n

\u00a02\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is the Process?<\/h2>\n

The process begins with earthworks preparing the site for construction. This involves clearing and levelling the ground and constructing a sand pad on which the concrete slab is laid. Service penetrations are installed (inward water, gas and electrical and outward grey and black water waste).<\/p>\n

The slab is then compacted, termite barrier sprayed or laid, waterproofing membranes laid, reinforcing steel fixed and finally the concrete slab is poured. Once your slab has been laid, it will require approximately 1 week to cure.<\/p>\n

After the slab has cured, drains and sewerage are often then connected.<\/p>\n

Congratulations to the \u201chomebuildandrenobudy.com\u201d who loaded his informative clip on You Tube which summarises the above points.\u00a0 Have a quick look. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3l5UXNjp_dA<\/a><\/p>\n

3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So What are the Issues?<\/h2>\n

Ideally there should be no issue.<\/p>\n

Slab issues that most often arise in disputes between builders and owners relate to the size of cracks that may appear, and the thickness of the concrete slab installed.<\/p>\n

Cracking of concrete slabs is a common occurrence, but it is not necessarily a major problem.\u00a0 Some slab cracking is almost certain because concrete shrinks as it loses moisture, when temperatures change or when there is ground movement.<\/p>\n

While slab cracks can look unsightly and affect the application of tiling or other floor finishes, many cracks do not affect the structural integrity of the slab.<\/p>\n

Another key issue which clients raise as a potential concern is the level of the slab.\u00a0 There can be a mismatch in expectations between the tolerances in levels within a slab as defined by the Building Code, Australian Standards, the Guide to standards and tolerances 2015 and the expectations of the floor covering, particularly trades involved in the laying of floor tiles and wooden floor boards. It is well worth ensuring that there is a clear understanding on the extent of floor levels between your builder and floor covering trades before you proceed.<\/p>\n

As can be seen below there can be a whole raft of issues associated with a new concrete slab, the majority of which can be relatively easily remedied, if acted upon early enough.\u00a0 Having an independent set of eyes reviewing the new concrete slab and the overall set up of the construction site for your new home construction can be very valuable.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When Do We Inspect the Concrete Pad?<\/h2>\n

We generally want to inspect the concrete pad (at each level) within 3 days of the slab being laid. It is important that we inspect the slab prior to the brickwork or wall framing commencing.<\/p>\n

5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0There Can\u2019t be that Many Issues Can There?<\/h2>\n

Sadly, yes there can.\u00a0 Here is a small selection of actual concrete slab issues identified in WA over recent months in 2017.<\/p>\n

5.1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Slab is not in the correct position on the block<\/h2>\n

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5.2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wastes not in the correct location<\/h2>\n

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5.3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Minor re-entrant cracks noted<\/h2>\n

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5.4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drain covers are required to prevent contamination of drains during construction<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

5.5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Water tap has been run over<\/h2>\n

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5.6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Slab not level, puddles formed in hollows \u2013 tolerances to be checked by Builder<\/h2>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

5.7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Retaining wall not installed as required on the plans<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

5.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drop in slab level, probably due to miscalculation in size of wet areas<\/h2>\n

There are also gaps where the concrete has not been finished properly, most likely due to a miscalculation of the size of the wet areas. These should be cleaned and filled.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

5.9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not all the slab could be inspected due to soil covering (from Drainage Contractor)<\/h2>\n

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6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is the Immediate Solution for People Building a New Home?<\/h1>\n

The simple solution is to have your concrete slab checked by an independent Houspect Building Inspector. Armed with the Construction Plans, a good knowledge of the Building Code of Australia, Australian Standards and many years of experience, your Houspect Building Inspector can review the work undertaken on site so that you can be assured that the concrete slab has been constructed as intended.<\/p>\n

7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Can the Concrete Slab Inspection be Done at the Practical Completion or Handover Inspection?<\/h1>\n

It is almost impossible to undertake a full inspection of the concrete slab at the Practical Completion or Handover Inspection as much of the slab will have been covered by subsequent construction stages, especially if floor coverings have been included as a component of the overall construction package.<\/p>\n

Remediation of poor slab construction can take a considerable time and if\u00a0 inspected at Practical Completion or Handover stages the actual handover of the property to you may be delayed by several months.<\/p>\n

8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Summary<\/h1>\n