Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 13, 2018 5:04 pm There is a street tree in front of my block (approx 3 meters away from my front door), but the tree currently is quite small as the estate is quite new and council just planted it recently. However, I understand that when the tree grows up, it's root may have some impact on the foundation of the house and it's normally recommended to put a root barrier to protect the house. I consulted the independent engineer consulting company who prepares my slab report, they replied that they don't provided any recommendation in relation to root barrier in the slab report. Then I asked my builder, my builder said they don't include root barrier in their new house standard inclusion. If the owner would like to intall one, he should do it by himself. So I just want to know if this is the case for you all? If the tree is expected to have impact on the house, is the builder obliged to consider or install a root barrier in the slab stage? Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 2May 13, 2018 5:36 pm larry1124 There is a street tree in front of my block (approx 3 meters away from my front door), but the tree currently is quite small as the estate is quite new and council just planted it recently. However, I understand that when the tree grows up, it's root may have some impact on the foundation of the house and it's normally recommended to put a root barrier to protect the house. I consulted the independent engineer consulting company who prepares my slab report, they replied that they don't provided any recommendation in relation to root barrier in the slab report. Then I asked my builder, my builder said they don't include root barrier in their new house standard inclusion. If the owner would like to intall one, he should do it by himself. So I just want to know if this is the case for you all? If the tree is expected to have impact on the house, is the builder obliged to consider or install a root barrier in the slab stage? What variety if tree is it? This will be the deciding factor. Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 3May 14, 2018 2:02 am larry1124 There is a street tree in front of my block (approx 3 meters away from my front door), but the tree currently is quite small as the estate is quite new and council just planted it recently. However, I understand that when the tree grows up, it's root may have some impact on the foundation of the house and it's normally recommended to put a root barrier to protect the house. I consulted the independent engineer consulting company who prepares my slab report, they replied that they don't provided any recommendation in relation to root barrier in the slab report. Then I asked my builder, my builder said they don't include root barrier in their new house standard inclusion. If the owner would like to intall one, he should do it by himself. So I just want to know if this is the case for you all? If the tree is expected to have impact on the house, is the builder obliged to consider or install a root barrier in the slab stage? I asked my new home salesman this same question today and he said because the estate development would not want issues they would definitely have already installed a root barrier. He said that with underground infrastructure and footpaths next to these street trees, they need to plant them with a root barrier to protect their investment. I am going to check with the developer but it sounds plausible to me. Cheers Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 4May 14, 2018 7:33 pm I have since learned that most councils have a list of allowed trees with non invasive root balls. sweetswisssteel larry1124 There is a street tree in front of my block (approx 3 meters away from my front door), but the tree currently is quite small as the estate is quite new and council just planted it recently. However, I understand that when the tree grows up, it's root may have some impact on the foundation of the house and it's normally recommended to put a root barrier to protect the house. I consulted the independent engineer consulting company who prepares my slab report, they replied that they don't provided any recommendation in relation to root barrier in the slab report. Then I asked my builder, my builder said they don't include root barrier in their new house standard inclusion. If the owner would like to intall one, he should do it by himself. So I just want to know if this is the case for you all? If the tree is expected to have impact on the house, is the builder obliged to consider or install a root barrier in the slab stage? I asked my new home salesman this same question today and he said because the estate development would not want issues they would definitely have already installed a root barrier. He said that with underground infrastructure and footpaths next to these street trees, they need to plant them with a root barrier to protect their investment. I am going to check with the developer but it sounds plausible to me. Cheers Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 5May 14, 2018 10:58 pm [quote defaultattr=""]Hope this is also the case in my estate. I'll check this with the developper. Thank you for your information.sweetswisssteel larry1124 There is a street tree in front of my block (approx 3 meters away from my front door), but the tree currently is quite small as the estate is quite new and council just planted it recently. However, I understand that when the tree grows up, it's root may have some impact on the foundation of the house and it's normally recommended to put a root barrier to protect the house. I consulted the independent engineer consulting company who prepares my slab report, they replied that they don't provided any recommendation in relation to root barrier in the slab report. Then I asked my builder, my builder said they don't include root barrier in their new house standard inclusion. If the owner would like to intall one, he should do it by himself. So I just want to know if this is the case for you all? If the tree is expected to have impact on the house, is the builder obliged to consider or install a root barrier in the slab stage? Hi, I asked my new home salesman this same question today and he said because the estate development would not want issues they would definitely have already installed a root barrier. He said that with underground infrastructure and footpaths next to these street trees, they need to plant them with a root barrier to protect their investment. I am going to check with the developer but it sounds plausible to me. Cheers [/quote] Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 6May 15, 2018 7:19 am Which local government area are you in? In Brisbane, the relevant standard drawing shows that if a root barrier is required for street tree plantings, it's only placed on the roadway side of the root ball. See: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/d ... otpath.pdf Asking the subdivision developer sounds like a good idea. If you find out the tree species you may also be able to estimate it's mature height and ultimate extent of root system. Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 7May 15, 2018 6:20 pm iTool Which local government area are you in? In Brisbane, the relevant standard drawing shows that if a root barrier is required for street tree plantings, it's only placed on the roadway side of the root ball. See: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/d ... otpath.pdf Asking the subdivision developer sounds like a good idea. If you find out the tree species you may also be able to estimate it's mature height and ultimate extent of root system. Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 8May 15, 2018 6:32 pm sweetswisssteel iTool Which local government area are you in? In Brisbane, the relevant standard drawing shows that if a root barrier is required for street tree plantings, it's only placed on the roadway side of the root ball. See: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/d ... otpath.pdf Asking the subdivision developer sounds like a good idea. If you find out the tree species you may also be able to estimate it's mature height and ultimate extent of root system. OP wanted to know ultimately if the builder is responsible and the answer is no. It's always going to be the homeowners responsibility, unfortunately.. I personally agree, but in the absence of finding specific guidance in AS2870 (which may have indicated whether it is something that would have been considered by the OP's builder's structural engineer as part of the slab design) I thought that finding out whether it was installed as part of the street tree plantings might allay OP's concerns regarding that specific tree. Re: Is the builder responsible for root barrier installation 9May 15, 2018 8:10 pm iTool sweetswisssteel iTool Which local government area are you in? In Brisbane, the relevant standard drawing shows that if a root barrier is required for street tree plantings, it's only placed on the roadway side of the root ball. See: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/d ... otpath.pdf Asking the subdivision developer sounds like a good idea. If you find out the tree species you may also be able to estimate it's mature height and ultimate extent of root system. OP wanted to know ultimately if the builder is responsible and the answer is no. It's always going to be the homeowners responsibility, unfortunately.. I personally agree, but in the absence of finding specific guidance in AS2870 (which may have indicated whether it is something that would have been considered by the OP's builder's structural engineer as part of the slab design) I thought that finding out whether it was installed as part of the street tree plantings might allay OP's concerns regarding that specific tree. It also mentions graded pathways etc That should then be enough info for the homeowners to install root barriers where needed ie on their property to block roots from any tree that could pose a problem. That's my understanding anyway. 1 6744 Hi, I had a barrier reef pool installed less that 2 years ago and the gel coat is already fading. The colour is electric grey shimmer which isn’t available… 0 3932 I’m not a structural engineer but I’m free. you still need an engineer for the plans. I only have part of your plans, but you seem to have a 850mm drop from the side… 3 10071 |