Protecting your Slab

I've just reread this thread for about the 3rd time to refresh my memory before my build starts. I am posting to bump this thread up for anybody about to build to read from start to finish. It outlines some of the issues to be aware of. My advice is for anybody about to build is to organise for a prepour independant inspection as once it is out of the ground and set in concrete and is wrong you are in a world of hurt.

Could not have said it any better myself!

This has to be about the most important thread I have read on the Homeone forum. It is a " must read "

Quick question, if I'm in an established area and building boundary to boundary at the front of my property, how can I take steps to protect my slab/strip footings?

There are some concrete or paved areas on either side (but not everywhere) so I'm wondering what I would have to do for the parts where my footings will abut on to my neighbors garden bed for example.

In those areas maybe a drop beam that goes down as far as practicable or piers maybe? An engineer would be your best guide. The rest of your house - paths as per advised above.

Stewie

For those about to build read this thread from A to Z. Far more important that the colour choice of the walls in your new house.

Most people see this thread after issues arise. perhaps promoting this thread outside of this thread might highlight its importance to a broader audience.

I agree 100% but have no idea how it can be in everybody's face without continually bumping it up.

Request a sticky.

How do you request a sticky for this thread?

If it is going to be made a sticky, then it really needs to be moved to the more appropriate sub forum, i.e. building standards I guess.

You also have to remember that the admins have to be really selective as to what they make sticky, as it's no good to have a dozen sticky threads in a sub forum as they lose their effectness, and often spoils/becomes a nuisance for people trying to read new posts in that sub forum.

It becomes a case of damned if they do, damned if they don't.


FWIW, I reckon the better option is to move this thread to a more appropriate forum, i.e. Building Standards. It then won't scroll off the first page with the dozens of daily new posts that it would in the Building a new home sub forum.

Thanks for the tips.

Time for a bump.

Considering this, then should I be fine if I install artificial lawn around the house (with builder plastic underneath)?

Yes as long as it is done properly and slopes away from the building.You could slope the plastic into an agi drain away from the the perimeter.

Thanks for this man!

My house is nearing completion and I am arranging concreting and drainage all the the way around the perimeter.

The area below in red will be concreted and drained. Ideally I would like to have lawn right up to the alfresco with subsurface drainage, without a concrete apron around the alfresco as well . Is this a bad idea or should I just concrete the green area (1m wide) as well??


Thanks

Concrete it if you can, fall to storm water if allowed. Remember concrete only needs to be 25mm fall over 1 m. grass will have to be 50mm fall over 1m.

Is that correct? Only 25mm fall.

Some say it's 75mm fall. Hmmm

Not for paved or concreted surfaces, but grass yes