Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Apr 14, 2011 2:39 pm I have noticed in a few homes - including this one - that concreting doesn't go right up against the house slab. Instead, there is a strip of what I assume is a void, topped with decorative gravel - like here (look for orange arrows ). Does anyone know why some outdoor areas are built like this, while others are abutted hard against the house? Is it something to do with termite piping (the chemical protection)? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Porter Davis house - What is this for ? 2Apr 14, 2011 3:54 pm Lex I have noticed in a few homes - including this one - that concreting doesn't go right up against the house slab. Instead, there is a strip of what I assume is a void, topped with decorative gravel - like here (look for orange arrows ). Does anyone know why some outdoor areas are built like this, while others are abutted hard against the house? Is it something to do with termite piping (the chemical protection)? http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/7473/whatisthisfor.jpg I could be wrong (and often have been ) but it appears its been added on as its not under the roofline. Hence if its not under the roofline, it wouldn't be part of the house slab and could be a seperate slab poured later, which is was then tiled. Thus the gap with the decorative pebbles would be to hide the expansion gap and/or foam between the slabs. Our Build - Places Fairhaven 23+ - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28045 Our Landscaping - Belial's Backyard - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=45375 Re: Porter Davis house - What is this for ? 3Apr 14, 2011 8:17 pm I could be wrong too (and have been more than it's reasonable) ... but I never thought that a 10mm expansion gap (Abelflex or "approved equivalent" ), would create such a large gap ?! But maybe when the new slab is not dowelled into the house, there is a big gap (and maybe the 10mm "grows" over time? , or maybe it's just "nominal" )? Or did they create it wider than 10mm on purpose (so they can maybe put deco gravel? ), or is it to do with termite pipe?? Or ... ?? Or ... ?? Oh, thanks heaps for replying, Belial My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Porter Davis house - Team PD, what is this for please? 6Apr 16, 2011 5:51 pm It's decorative. As Fu says... Pebbles in a channel is a popular look. We almost did it along our planter boxes, but decided in the end it might be a bit too fussy. Re: Porter Davis house - Team PD, what is this for please? 7Apr 16, 2011 5:53 pm Perhaps it's to do with drainage.... there is a downpipe in the left corner (well, the right corner if you're looking out the door!!). Perhaps there is a gutter along there under the gravel? Or, more likely seeing as it's a small gap, Belial is right and it was added later, and the pebbles were put in just to look nice. Better than a bare gap! Ha - Kek just beat me to it Re: Porter Davis house - Team PD, what is this for please? 8Apr 20, 2011 2:31 pm Hi Lex, I asked our display team for some help on this one and it turns out that Craigeburn area is prone to significant ground movement and the gap is providing articulation between the two slabs, the pebbles are decorative. I hope that helps. Cheers, Jess. Porter Davis Homes Questions? Call 1800PORTER Mon - Fri 9am-8pm Sat - Sun 10am-4pm info@porterdavis.com.au http://blog.porterdavis.com.au/ http://www.porterdavishomes.com.au Re: Porter Davis house - Team PD, what is this for please? 10Apr 21, 2011 9:08 am Should have thought of that. When we were looking to buy older houses round the Melbourne area, we queried cracks all over the place in several homes (in the UK you would avoid a house like the plague if it had cracks). We were told that a lot of Melbourne is built on a particular type of rock base that has a lot of movement and that cracks are always going to appear. A lot of things in Australia have made us review what is and isn't acceptable when buying a house! Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 12180 Hi We have finally decided to complete a KDR on our corner plot in NE Melbourne suburbs. Given its a corner plot approx. 400 sqm just a standard design may not fit the… 0 8444 Thankyou so much 😀 I've decided on White on white for doors and trims, White on white 50% on ceiling and Mt buller for walls. Fingers crossed it will look OK 😀 2 7073 |