Foundations
Soil Heave – Protecting the Slab After Construction
Once the house is completed it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about the foundations. This is particularly the case if your house is Built on Clay as there is a risk of ‘Slab Heave’. This is the result of moisture…
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Saline Ground Conditions
Salinity doesn’t have to be as bad as in this photograph to cause problems in new homes. It’s also quite common for land that has not got salinity issues to develop salinity over several years. Building Problems Due To Salinity Problems can…
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Under Slab Membranes
This photo shows a plastic membrane underneath a slab. . . . but what sort of membrane? Vapour Barrier The Building Code of Australia requires the installation of a Vapour Barrier with the following characteristics Medium Impact Resistant Polyethylene Film 0.2mm…
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Pre-Wetting A New House Block
Reason For Pre-Wetting If you are Building On Clay that is dry there is a risk of Soil Heave. This is due to expansion of the clay if the moisture level increases with particular risk factors being: Building after a…
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Placing Fill
Of so you want to place some fill. . . .perhaps behind a retaining wall to level a garden . . . So what do you need to understand? Here are some things to consider. Final Volume – Loose Volume Most people…
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Termites
Did you know Australia has around 15 species of termite which can damage the timbers in your new house. Although some species of timber are resistant to termites none are termite-proof. In practice any structure containing wood can be attacked, unless protective measures are taken. Even…
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Height Above Ground
For the typical modern house with slab on ground base there are two minimum heights above ground level that need to be considered: Next to the building. Distance of 1m away. The reason for these minimums is to keep water…
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Different Soil Classification Results
When you look at a new house block its always worth asking the Developer’s Agent what the Soil Classification is ……….. Only don’t take what you are told too seriously! Usually the developers opinion is going to be that the…
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Drop Edge Beams
If you want to build your new home on a slope you may need to have the additional cost of needing drop edge beams on the low side of the slabs. These are a sort of retaining wall to hold…
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Building On Rock
Based on the Soil Classification rock is considered one of the best surfaces to build a house foundation. It comes under the Classification Class A. That doesn’t mean its going to be cheap especially for a conventional raft or waffle…
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