Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Inspection for slab down? 2Jan 15, 2010 12:42 pm Would like to know myself.. Especially if you intend to do the flooring after handover. Regards All Finally Done March 2012 Re: Inspection for slab down? 3Jan 15, 2010 1:46 pm I've had the same responses when I asked around for stage inspection quotes. The slab inspection (levelness, any major crackings) is done together when the frame is up. After seeing the engineering slab design report from the surveyor (got a copy from my builder), I realised that probably most inspectors might not be trained/certified in that aspect of slab design/engineering to go through the formworks before the concrete is poured? Anyway, the surveyor has to inspect and "sign his life away on the paperwork" before the concrete is poured so I reckon that should be okay. Re: Inspection for slab down? 4Jan 15, 2010 6:32 pm Hi there, Congrats on the start. It is a long road - but hopefully worth it (we are coming up to tiles complete). I would agree in part to there not being a lot of reasons to test the slab once it has gone off. However, we decided to get a certified concrete tester to test the strength of concrete the first truck and to test the slump of each truck at the start and each time the builder added any water. I understand that a typical 80 slump concrete is within spec +/- 15. However this generally does not give the builder the right to add water, but I think you will not get a pour if you dont allow them to go to 95 slump. That being said, our builder complained the whole pour saying the concrete was too dry (even after allowing them to bring it to 95 slump). What do you get if you are not watching Remember, water is a very important ingrediant in concrete. The ratio of cemment and water equally important. Cracking can be caused by too much water being added. Our tester was Testrite in Concord Sydney 02 9736 3922 (I have no affiliation) and cost $300 for 3 compressive strength tests and 8 extra slump tests. At least get someone with full accreditaion (i think it is NATA-registered concrete testing laboratory) so they can not be discredited on site. There will be push back from the builder, so be calm and ready to say no. Our tester did most of the work - when booking the job we specifically asked for someone with experience in handling difficult situations - and got the right person for the job. Also make sure the curing agent get on the slab ASAP. All I can say is we got a great slab - with only 2 very minor surface cracks. Good luck. Re: Inspection for slab down? 5Jan 15, 2010 8:36 pm 80 slump is sufficent to pour, adding water to keep the slump at 80 is all that is needed. P!ssing it up(concrete term) is only done to speed and ease the process of placement. Overslump is the MAIN cause of shrinkage cracking, NO CURE method is the second most popular reason for cracking. A slump of 95 is not in anyway good for the longevity of the slab. Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: Inspection for slab down? 6Jan 15, 2010 9:53 pm onc_artisan 80 slump is sufficent to pour, adding water to keep the slump at 80 is all that is needed. P!ssing it up(concrete term) is only done to speed and ease the process of placement. Overslump is the MAIN cause of shrinkage cracking, NO CURE method is the second most popular reason for cracking. A slump of 95 is not in anyway good for the longevity of the slab. Thanks for the update. I agree that not adding water is far better. But 95 is considered in spec, and we had trouble keeping the concreters to this (almost returned a truck - it got a second slumpt test and passed). I know there are arguments that the manufacturer sets the mix and it is ready to pump/pour. We were only adding a couple of Liters per truck. However my sugestion is, without a certified tester/moderator the slump can go way past 95. If you require no water with a project home builder, I think you will have them walk off - they are use to spearding water not concrete. While 95 is not in anyway good for the longevity of the slab (agreed), it is far better than 100+. The other issue with many project home builder is that you are not contracting the concreters, and I understand that you can realy only threaten them with - if it goes out of spec the slab comes up or truck goes back. These concreters are also not used to dealing with customers and did not like being told what to do. Anyway, this is my experiance with the project home builder. We got a good strong slab in the end, and that is what I wanted. 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