Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 743Nov 25, 2015 6:15 pm Wow looks bad, and pretty much unfixable , , thats a problem when you know best case is only near enough if your lucky. These problems really begin from the volume boys and most contracts been hia mba builder loaded contracts. Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 744Nov 25, 2015 6:35 pm Hmm. Sorry,I avoid talkfests..besides that is way too expensive for the average punters, that stand to loose their biggest asset (some might even go as far as to conceive it as mean spirited ie. cashing in on this forum where others give freely. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 745Nov 26, 2015 10:52 pm ![]() Wow looks bad, and pretty much unfixable , , thats a problem when you know best case is only near enough if your lucky. These problems really begin from the volume boys and most contracts been hia mba builder loaded contracts. Lucky this consumer was assured from his volume builder that it's safe! They have told the home owners they will fix it..... eventually. Let's hope that it's fixed before someone is seriously injured and not evolved into a negligence case where the volume builder couldn't deny it was a foreseeable event Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 746Dec 18, 2015 11:04 pm Just noticed that on today's VBA mail that there are updated requirements for those of you either building or attempting to rectify the plumbing on reactive soil Check out the PHD on the vba website. Reforms for building industry bring new powers for VBA Improved licensing and registration system to launch in 2016 Sprinkler protection for balconies Supporting documentation for alternative solutions Alert on asbestos in imported building products Revised Technical Solution Sheet 3.06 Call for public comment on draft amendment to Plumbing Standard Updated 2016 NCC Referenced Document Protocol Don't be part of a scalding issue! VBA office hours and VBA Mail during the Holidays Careers at the VBA Reforms for building industry bring new powers for VBA The Andrews Government has announced a series of reforms that address long term issues within the legislative framework governing the building industry in Victoria. These reforms will significantly improve the ability the VBA has to regulate the industry. The VBA CEO Prue Digby welcomed the reforms and said they will strengthen the protections afforded to consumers and ensure the quality of buildings across Victoria. “The decision to empower the VBA to register, discipline, monitor and enforce compliance is an example of how these reforms will streamline processes and provide consumers and practitioners with greater security, confidence and certainty,” said Ms Digby. Among the key components of the reforms will be powers for the VBA to direct building practitioners to fix non-compliant and defective work, time-limited registration periods and protection for consumers. Read the media release Improved licensing and registration system to launch in 2016 From 2016, the VBA will be implementing a new system of registration and licensing for plumbers and builders. The new process is designed to deliver better outcomes for Victoria’s building and plumbing industries and consumers by making the system simpler to use and will ultimately reduce the regulatory burden on industry. The aim is to provide greater clarity, consistency and transparency around the application and assessment process. Changes will predominantly be focused on how applications are processed and assessed internally. New application forms, templates and supporting materials will help to make the registration processes more streamlined and significantly reduce delays caused by incomplete or missing information. These changes are a reflection of the VBA’s commitment to delivering best practice industry regulation. Changes will come into effect early next year, however there will be a transition period during which the VBA will accept applications for registration made using existing forms. More information will be available on the VBA website in the New Year. Sprinkler protection for balconies New regulations have been made to amend the National Construction Code in Victoria so that all new multi-storey residential buildings, hotels, healthcare buildings and aged care buildings that are required to install sprinklers designed to AS 2118.1, must extend that sprinkler protection to include all covered balconies, regardless of size. These regulations will address the MFB finding in its Post Incident Analysis of the fire in the Lacrosse Building, that “had the sprinkler system extended to the balcony area of each apartment, fire would have most likely been contained to the level of fire origin.” Currently, small covered balconies with an area less than six square metres, or that are less than two metres in depth are not required to be sprinkler protected. On 15 December 2015 the Building and Plumbing Amendment (Balcony Sprinkler Protection) Interim Regulations 2015 were made to address this issue. The regulations will also amend the National Construction Code that allows a building surveyor to determine that a material does not significantly increase the hazards of fire, without first subjecting that material to a performance based assessment. This change will provide for increased confidence in the fire hazard properties of linings, materials and assemblies installed in Class 2 to 9 buildings as it will require the use of materials that have had their fire hazard properties assessed. These changes apply to new building designs from 15 December 2015 and will be implemented as Victorian variations to the National Construction Code in 2016 Supporting documentation for alternative solutions Building surveyors must ensure that all documentation relating to an alternative solution is given to Council with a copy of the building permit within seven days of that permit’s issue. This ensures that all relevant design information is available for both current and any future owners of the building. It also assists in providing relevant information in the event that an application for proposed alterations or additions to an existing building occurs in the future. The building permit audit report compiled by the VBA in September 2014 indicates that a lack of supporting documentation, associated with alternative solutions, was a frequent observation in the approval process for building permits. The report’s findings indicated that the building permits audited had one or more of the following areas missing in relation to alternative solutions: Methodology Test reports Specification or materials used Relevant performance requirement being considered Determination by the RBS The lack of supporting documentation made it difficult to determine how the relevant building surveyor (RBS) was able to decide to issue a building permit including an alternative solution and what performance requirements the alternative solution was related to. For more information about alternative solutions and supporting documentation the VBA has produced Practice Note-63-2014 Alternative solutions - procedures and documentation. Alert on asbestos in imported building products WorkSafe Victoria has issued an alert to importers and suppliers of building materials following the discovery of asbestos in fibrous building panels imported to New South Wales for use in the construction of a residential building. The VBA was informed by WorkSafe Victoria that following the discovery, WorkCover NSW issued a prohibition notice to a Sydney building site. The expanded polystyrene panels (ESP) were imported from China and were thought to be "asbestos free". However, testing by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) showed they contained chrysotile (white) asbestos. WorkSafe Victoria is not aware of the building material being imported for use in Victoria. However, it is alerting importers and suppliers of the need to ensure that building products they import and supply do not contain asbestos. If there is uncertainty regarding the presence of asbestos, the material must be tested by a NATA accredited laboratory and WorkSafe Victoria notified if it is found to contain asbestos. If the material is not tested, it must be assumed to contain asbestos. As in NSW, the use of asbestos-containing material for all construction is prohibited and failure to comply with this requirement is a criminal offence in Victoria. To learn more, visit the WorkSafe Victoria website. Revised Technical Solution Sheet 3.06 The VBA has recently revised Technical Solution Sheet 3.06 Drains in Reactive Soil, Unstable and Water Charged Ground. The aim of Technical Solution Sheet 3.06 is to provide information to assist practitioners in overcoming problems associated with below ground sanitary drain damage resulting from movement in reactive soils, unstable and water charged ground. Included in this revision is the addition of a characteristic surface movement table and a step by step guide to ensuring a below ground sanitary drainage installations are compliant. The revised Technical Solution Sheet 3.06 along with all the VBA’s Technical Solution Sheets can be found on the VBA website. Further information can also be found in AS/NZS 3500.2:2015 Plumbing and drainage Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage Section 5. Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 748Dec 20, 2015 3:03 pm ![]() Gee where is the fall protection for those guys! Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 749Dec 21, 2015 8:30 am Interesting that there is no punishment. Now or then. The only people punished is the consumers.... financially! Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 750Dec 21, 2015 10:33 am Actually there is punishment... for the homeowner. "consumers could be made to pay if work was correctly completed." Who do consumers pay? And I wonder what the definition of correctly completed work will be? Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 751Jan 28, 2016 8:45 am Here is a perfect example of why you need to ensure your damp proof course exits the building and your concrete should be at least a brick course above where the concrete starts. Otherwise...... where is this water going and how can you properly protect your foundation/house? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 752Jan 28, 2016 7:47 pm ![]() To answer OP question, I have been a builder for over 40 years and I don't know how to fix a slab heave. The reason is that when soil heaves up due to ingress of moisture is that it will stay up even after it dries out. It seems that in domestic construction the loads are not enough to push soil back down. In my reports I have recommended partial demolition and reconstruction of slab to get down to designed levels. It would be interesting if anyone else has different experience. What we are seeing now is when the soil dries out that there is a gap developing between the bottom of the slab and the soil surface.This means that the slab are probably permanently bend out of shape.The general slab design is now working against you and resisting settling back down.The soil will come back down but not to the same level as before, there are several reasons for this. If a slab heaves less then approx 25-30mm then it is possible that it will come back to close to the original level beyond this it will be bent out of shape.Most of the slab I have looked at are 40-60mm out of level and the occasional one up to 190mm. This situation may change in the future but that is what we are seeing at the moment. As far as returning the slab to the original level there is no simple solution so far domestically or internationally. Resin injection has been talked about where the rest of the house slab is brought up to the heaved edge level but this is complicated and has several potential long term problems. There are a few experimental techniques to be test this year with any luck. Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 753Jan 29, 2016 4:16 pm Thanks insider. I have seen dished slabs and you have now confirmed that elastic deflection has transitioned into creep and with no known remedy. Your at the coal face experience is invaluable. Thanks for sharing with us Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 754Jan 30, 2016 9:16 am Reading all of this makes me glad I have a timber home on stumps. The worst thing that happens is some small plaster cracking and from time to time a door might need a bit planed off it. Otherwise it can move up and down as much as it likes. I also don't mind the idea of screw piers with a slab designed to be essentially a suspended slab. Problem is it's not the cheapest way of building, and we all know what project builders like!! Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 755Jan 30, 2016 10:18 am Great to hear Consumers affairs will be dealing with disputes in Vict. That is the way it is here over in the west where.... ultimately the buck stops with the Certifying Engineer. Mediations is costly ($500 p/hr per/p) and ![]() Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 756Jan 30, 2016 1:20 pm ![]() Great to hear Consumers affairs will be dealing with disputes in Vict. That is the way it is here over in the west where.... ultimately the buck stops with the Certifying Engineer. Mediations is costly ($500 p/hr per/p) and ![]() I think you are seriously delusional about Consumer Affairs and the importance of engineers in domestic construction. For a start CA has done nothing of substance for homeowners and many homeowners have come to me having wasted their time. Engineers do not feature in any statutory building inspection so they are not needed beyond design and certification of engineering work. As a developer, I decide which engineering company I engage, terms of engagement, the scope of service and specification of work to be done. So who is in control? As I said before, as much as I respect the profession they are ( invaluable) cog in the wheel, but not the wheel. Your depth of delusion is only exceeded by the shallowness of your pitch. There are other engineers on this forum who are worthier ambassadors for your profession. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 757Jan 30, 2016 1:56 pm ![]() .....There are other engineers on this forum who are worthier ambassadors for your profession. LOL.. worthy ambassador (Stop I am in stitches), clients come to me because I offer a complete trusted service on site contracting and fixing up Structural Non-compliance & F&^%$%s.... Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 758Jan 30, 2016 3:10 pm It's all pretty simple really. The problem is either a design fault or a construction fault. Working out if something is a design fault is easy enough to do in retrospect - numbers do not lie. A peer review from one or two independent engineers is enough to eliminate this as a cause. If it is a design fault then the engineer has professional indemnity insurance to cover rectification costs. If it is not a design fault then it is a construction fault. Either the structure was not built in accordance with the design, or there are other issues like site drainage, plumbing leaks etc. Either way it is the responsibility of the main contractor/builder. Full stop. The state needs an authority with some balls who will actually force a builder to do what it takes to fix the problem, instead of being a bunch of nancies and letting the builders off with a slap on the wrist. I think we are pretty lucky in Qld that we seem to have reasonably good consumer protection, although it hasn't always been the case. Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 759Jan 30, 2016 3:48 pm NSW seems pretty much the same as Vic in my experience. The Dept of Fair Trading is pretty much a toothless tiger and the same licensed tradesmen seem to get away with doing the same shonki work again and again with little or no sanction from them. To me it is bordering on criminal and the authorities just let the situation continue. Stewie Re: Has anyone rectified slab heave successfully 760Jan 30, 2016 4:06 pm You could write a comedy about it if it wasn't so tragic. Building Commission that was in charge of building control considered building industry a stakeholder even wining and dining them. That's like prisoners having a stake in running of the prison, no doubt they all get get out of jail card, just like some builders that should be in jail. Nothing has changed because of vested interests. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Shop around do your homework id talk to architects as well some of ghem have there own building teams and dont build on a wafflle pod slab. Its a desaster soon as water… 1 19729 Hi all, new to this group. Been watching the site for a while to get an idea of comments and help from everyone. Whilst our questions below are Plainland QLD specific,… 0 22238 ![]() Yes it is a take it or leave it contract, standard form contract. Can try and negotiate terms and conditions. Best to sit down with dictionary and read contract, read… 7 17134 |