Time required between Slab and Frame stages

Vlad76 · Jun 21, 2007 3:52 pm

As I am waiting for the work on my frame to begin, the question I have is what is the minimum safe period of time that needs to pass for the slab to be ready to be built on? Two storey house is being built by the way.

I've been told a lot of different things about it which vary quite a bit. Some say you can start almost immediately, as the pine is very light and doesn't pose any danger for the slab.

Some say a week or so break in between is best allowed.

Whereas some say as much as 3 weeks are required.

Any builders out there who can shed some light on where the truth is?

vanderlay · Jun 21, 2007 4:10 pm

good question...been wondering the same thing!

Sallyho · Jun 21, 2007 4:20 pm

I'm not sure either (but am interested to hear).
With my slab it was poured on a Monday, and frame started going up on the Tuesday.

vanderlay · Jun 21, 2007 4:22 pm

I think PD seems to start frame pretty much straight away...Have seen others leave the slab for a couple of weeks - I think they left Matt W's slab for two weeks before starting frame.

mattwalker · Jun 21, 2007 4:38 pm

They did wait 2 weeks on mine.....

How long is right????

parker · Jun 21, 2007 4:43 pm

Curing - curing will help reduce surface cracking. Concrete typically takes 28 days to reach its design strength, and the first 3 to 7 days are critical, beginning as soon as finishing of the slab is complete. An applied liquid curing membrane is usually the most practical method. Covering with a plastic sheet will also work but is harder to maintain. Keeping the concrete continuously wet, while the best method of curing, is not advised due to the large amounts of water that may be required;
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/t ... /fs34f.htm

3timesbuilda · Jun 22, 2007 9:40 am

I think my builder said something about 3 day wait for frame and 2 weeks before bricks because of the weight of the bricks.

3xb

Vlad76 · Jun 22, 2007 10:46 am

Well, my frame work has started yesterday afternoon (Thursday) after the slab was poured on Saturday. 5 days.

Hope it won't be an issue, but it does seems to be treated differently by different builders...

ahuang · Jun 22, 2007 11:34 am

Never thought this would be something I need to worry. Will keep an eye on this when the construction starts, hopefully sometime before end of July...

Cheers
Allan
http://building-our-first-house.blogspot.com/