Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Nov 25, 2013 7:02 pm Hi all, I am building and have engaged a private building inspector who has reported back on both inspections to date that the builder is to take action to assist in drainage on the site. The land levels behind the house is higher than the alfresco level. The builder has cut the block to be a fall away from the house over a 1m width as per required by standards. This has now left a step up of approx 300mm in the rear yard where water pools. The builder is advising that this is not there problem as the have meet the requirements of the standard. I believe a retaining wall is required and sub surface drainage to channel water to a storm water pit. Is this correct? Where can I go for advise? How can I convince the builder that they are required to rectify this? Thanks in advance Shane Re: Site levels and drainage 2Nov 29, 2013 7:16 am Quote: I believe a retaining wall is required and sub surface drainage to channel water to a storm water pit. Is this correct? You are correct but what was shown on the plans - drainage plan, floorplan, site plan etc ? If there is no retaining wall shown, then the builder has done what he contracted to do. Site works like this are often done after handover by either the client or a third party. Stewie Re: Site levels and drainage 3Nov 30, 2013 1:37 am After more than 20years in earthmoving I have seen this countless times and have had to rectify drainage for customers after the builder has finished. Firstly it could easily have been done at the pad stage when access was easy and instead the cost multiplies once the house is finished. Many times if the slab was one brick course higher there wouldn't be a problem but it is all about cost. Stewie D is correct if not on the plans the builder has completed their contract but I remember a case in Qld where a young couple sued a builder and the Judge agreed that a competent contractor should have been aware that a retaining wall was required and advised as such and so ordered the builder to rectify but this is not the norm and each case would have different circumstances. Re: Site levels and drainage 4Nov 30, 2013 8:19 am Drainage is VERY important. You will not know how much until you get a really good downpour. So - do it right at the beginning. Much cheaper then. Re: Site levels and drainage 5Sep 19, 2014 5:28 pm Hi shanebailey, Retaining walls are required sometimes where the cut exceeds a certain amount in some councils. I think that they are also required when a 45 degree (maximum slope embankment) encroaches within 600mm of a boundary and this must also be engineer designed. It's poor quality in my opinion of any builder not to inform you of this likelihood before you sign, but as you were advised above, it's fairly normal for drainage to be passed on to the owner. It would be nice if a silt pit was installed ready for this agricultural drain at the base of the cut, but that also is rarely done. Sometimes builders (correctly) argue that you might wish to alter the embankment once you are established and have landscaping ideas, but it would be nice if they gave you the option prior to signing. They worry that if the price goes over budget that you might not sign, so anything they can wipe off is a bonus. That's how many approach drainage. Leonardo_23 Re: Site levels and drainage 6Dec 18, 2014 5:02 pm Today we received the proposal from PD to fix the drainage issues that we have been 'flooded with' since site start. If you have the knowledge/qualifications to give me accurate advice please do because I really don't want to get this wrong. Please don't make uneducated comments. http://bendigowaldorf.blogspot.com.au/2 ... eived.html Re: Site levels and drainage 7Dec 18, 2014 5:20 pm Had a look at your plans and what they propose is something like the sketch in this link. http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2014/08/soi ... -the-slab/ But with the addition of paving as a final finish (I have yet to do a post on this final protection measure) The proposal seems OK to me. A swale drain is an open drain which has sides with very shallow gradient, say around 1:10 to 1:5. these are typically grassed and remain dry unless it is raining. The grated trench is probably something like an Everhard Unit (You can go and look at these at Bunnings who always seem to stock them) Brian The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Site levels and drainage 8Dec 18, 2014 8:11 pm Brian... on your site you mention 75mm fall over 1m. The proposal given to us has 50mm fall over 1m. Would that be a problem? Re: Site levels and drainage 9Dec 18, 2014 9:45 pm tlblhayward Brian... on your site you mention 75mm fall over 1m. The proposal given to us has 50mm fall over 1m. Would that be a problem? On my sketch the aim is to protect the slab during construction as the surface of the earth is likely to be rough 75 mm provides a better gradient. You build is a bit beyond that initial point now and the key issue is long term protection which means making sure the finished surfaces are OK. As far as a finished surface is concerned a 50mm slope is fine for water running off concrete. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Site levels and drainage 10Dec 18, 2014 10:10 pm bashworth tlblhayward Brian... on your site you mention 75mm fall over 1m. The proposal given to us has 50mm fall over 1m. Would that be a problem? On my sketch the aim is to protect the slab during construction as the surface of the earth is likely to be rough 75 mm provides a better gradient. You build is a bit beyond that initial point now and the key issue is long term protection which means making sure the finished surfaces are OK. As far as a finished surface is concerned a 50mm slope is fine for water running off concrete. Thanks Hi, have purchased a house with 2 single garage doors. The Centre pillar one side sits proud to the other. Can I change 2 doors into one. Please see picture. 0 6357 Need more photos from around the house including your gutters. We have had 3 of the wettest years in a row for some time so that wouldn't be helping 3 6958 Hi HomeOne, I'm in the midst of landscaping a cat run down the side of my house, and the recent rains have me wondering if I need to install some sort of drainage. I've… 0 12290 |