Design of foundations and footings can vary considerably depending on the type of soil and design of home.
A typical slab-on-ground base may have a number of engineered features to deal with the natural soil movement, the more reactive the soil type, the more extensive the engineering of the slab. Thickening beams, piles, and waffle design may be employed to further stabilise foundations. Apart from the design and engineering of the base it is also just as important that the base is constructed correctly. What We Inspect at Base Stage. This depends on slab design but for slab-on-ground constructions Cairns Building Inspection & Pest Control check the following: The site identified by means of Builder's sign or survey pegs. Site conditions including access, driveway slope, retaining walls and fences. Orientation of the building in relation to the access road. Weather conditions and site gradient. The position of the external wall location in relation to the footings and the inclusion of reinforcement starter bars tied to the slab mesh. The steel visually checked for clearance from the base (40mm) and from the slab finish (no less than 20mm). Under-slab services including drainage, plumbing, electrical, phone/data checked for defects, and quality of materials used. Installation of storm water pipe system. |  |
• Termite control including the type and location of barriers relative to drainage pipes.
• The location of the electrical meter box including the provision of a safety switch.
• The site checked for possible termite nesting sites and other conditions conducive to termites.
• Visually check that the site is clear of building rubbish and materials are stored appropriately.
Site Conditions:Site Gradient, Cut/Cut & Fill/Fill, General Soil Type, Orientation to road, Weather: Raining/After rain/Dry Surface drainage, Subsidence, Seepage, Retaining Walls & location
Site Improvements/Conditions: Landscaping Driveways/access/slope, Crossover Paving Fencing, Builder's sign/site identification, Storm water pipes
Floor Structure: Footings, Formwork/brick base, Damp-proofing membrane, Steel placement and fixing, Thickening beams/piers, Sub-base compaction, Floors below ground level, Suspended floors
Under slab Services: Sewage pipes, Plumbing, Electrical, Phone/data cable, Termite control
• The location of the electrical meter box including the provision of a safety switch.
• The site checked for possible termite nesting sites and other conditions conducive to termites.
• Visually check that the site is clear of building rubbish and materials are stored appropriately.
Site Conditions:Site Gradient, Cut/Cut & Fill/Fill, General Soil Type, Orientation to road, Weather: Raining/After rain/Dry Surface drainage, Subsidence, Seepage, Retaining Walls & location
Site Improvements/Conditions: Landscaping Driveways/access/slope, Crossover Paving Fencing, Builder's sign/site identification, Storm water pipes
Floor Structure: Footings, Formwork/brick base, Damp-proofing membrane, Steel placement and fixing, Thickening beams/piers, Sub-base compaction, Floors below ground level, Suspended floors
Under slab Services: Sewage pipes, Plumbing, Electrical, Phone/data cable, Termite control
