From what I can see most of the volume builders are doing waffle pod slabs around vic. We are building currently, and have a waffle pod slab too. The advice that we are being given to avoid slab heave and cracking later is for a paved area right around the slab that drops by 5cm over the first meter (ie is angled away from the house) to stop rain ponding at the slab.
Some thoughts about this :
1. I have heard that to avoid slab heave, it's most important to have a consistent type of surface right around the slab, ie not go with paving at front/side with lawn at back.
2. I have never seen anyone follow this advice about the path right around the whole house to the letter, but that's one of my main reasons for this post, has anyone actually done it, can you share photos?
3. These days, many designs are based on a garage that sits right on the property boundary, and therefore part of the slab actually borders the neighbours property, so you have no control over what type of surface is present, how do you factor that in?
4. For people that considered this as part of their builds - What was your reasoning for the choice you made in the end?