Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Feb 22, 2010 2:38 pm Hi there, I have a question with regard to builders warranty on our house. We bought this house 4 years ago brandnew. Our property manager has recently noticed a few defects, namely severe cracks in the concrete edge (mowing strip) that was poured around the perimeter of the house by the builder before completion. Those cracks have now broken open on the corners that whole lenghts of these edges are shifting away from the house. See pic here (it could take up to a minute to download - note the leak on the hot water tank it shows clearly). The implications are that the hotwater system started leaking where the pipe from the wall goes into the system and the next thing I expect is for the downpipe to crack where it feeds into the stormwater system. Furthermore, our property manager was reporting some hairline cracks in the brickwork. I have been told that the soil in the area is quite reactive but what I would like to know is what rights I have as the owner to have these things rectified by the builder? I have already contacted BSA and been told to put the builder on notice in writing, giving him 14 days notice, as part of the requirements to lodge a BSA case. The builder has actually retired in the meantime, but a family member (who is an active registered builder) rang me back the same day (about a week ago) to get the property manager's details to meet with them at the property, however nothing has happened since. Does anybody have any experience with these things? Re: Builders warranty for these defects? Please advise. 2Feb 22, 2010 3:39 pm Not an expert on this, but since there's leaking it's surely a problem the builder have to fix... Just wonder if they would blame someone else, say plumber, landscaper, ....etc for the problem. From the photo, looks like it's because the whole hot water system sits on that thin concrete board, which then sits on top of that concrete edge thing. Looks like there's no footing/concrete piering support under the concrete edge, thus it sort of moves away slowly, causing the problem... Is there anything else other than the hot water system also sits on top of that concrete edge, e.g. rain water tank, or Air Con? But as both Air Con and water tank (when filled with water) are quite heavy, it might not be as bad as the hot water system. Never thought those concrete edge would have that sort of impact to houses... Our builder have all the hot water system, air con and rain water tank area included during the concrete pier and slab work. With the same thick slab as the house, there shouldn't be any movement at all... Might include your photo and write a post on this in my blog if you don't mind. Certainly helpful for all owners to check if their house might be experiencing similar problem. As for hairline cracks in brickwork, may be there's problem with the footing/concrete piering below?? I would worry more about this than the leak and that sounds more like a structure issue. Hope it works out ok for you, keep us posted with any update! Re: Builders warranty for these defects? Please advise. 3Feb 26, 2010 2:41 am I don't know if there is any footing/concrete piering support under the concrete edge, as you are stating. I would expect steel mesh all along but in any case I would think it is the builder's responsibility to ensure that the hot water system sits on a stable base, allowing for movements (soil) as much as would be the case with the house slab. Furthermore, I think the downpipe should not have been concreted around so tightly, rather than leaving a buffer zone to be filled with gravel or the like. As a result, I feel the builder should rectify this as it has the clear potential for damage to the stormwater pipes in the ground, starting from the (fixed) downpipes. This may have happened already, who knows. And I expect this to be fixed not just by some flimsy flexible downpipe solution. I want the value and appearance of the house restored and maintained. Yeah, I don't mind you are using the picture for your blog. Any other opinions and input on actual similar experiences with builders defects and how they were sorted, would be appreciated. Re: Builders warranty for these defects? Please advise. 4Mar 02, 2010 10:52 pm I'm not sure if this will be covered as it is only a mowing strip. Generally covered for the first 6 to 12 months. I know it doesn't look good, but it would not be a structural component of the house. They should have taken more care under the hot water unit, perhaps the BSA may agree on that one? It is not uncommon for the best laid brick wall or concrete slab to have hairline cracks. If the mowing strip was tied in to the homes' footing then that corner of wall would show similar cracks either internall or externally. (And then yes you would have major issues) But keep in mind that for a critical structural component of a house the builder is liable for life!! This precedence was set many years ago in a Tasmanian case. PS I agree some expansion measures should have been used around the pipes. It's all in the planning Re: Builders warranty for these defects? Please advise. 5Mar 02, 2010 11:19 pm The short length has 'let go' as the longer sidewall is somewhat tied into the brick mortar lines (indents). The corner that leads to where the HWS would be the path of least resistance, and cracked. Since there is NO mesh in the concrete, there is no residual strength once it cracked. Nor is the path tied into the house where it needs to be.... neither has shrinkage compensating foam been used. Now the importance of mesh is discovered, let it be a lesson to all who intend to do a similar path. I stick by what I have said in many posts... concrete needs mesh unless it is high performance with fibres or other locking mechanisms. I wouldn't be happy but it is not structural... I think you have buckleys but this is good reason to not to go budget. Because you get what you pay for. Onc Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Hi It came to my attention after the handover that - The facade cladding on the face and the side are not straight. -The face tapers down by 50mm from left to right and… 0 2407 All 3 items listed are defects and are of concern. Please seek qualified independent inspector and/or legal advice for your state. 1 8175 Hi All, I engaged a tradie to install concrete retaining wall 600-800mm high over 32 meters in Victoria. Sleepers are 200*75*2000 mm installed over 17 steel posts. I… 0 6842 |