Slab Issues - Finally over!

Today, after multiple phone calls and emails, the last one which included some high level managers. I finally received our certificate for the termite treatment to the bath tub recess.

It's been a long 3 months of consistent follow ups with our Slab Supervisor and I am happy that we can 'put to bed' all the open items.

Slab Issues - That's better!

After the disappointing repair job applied to our slab last week (Photos), phone calls with our BC, PD's head of construction and finally an on-site meeting our slab has finally been repaired to an acceptable standard.

I am very pleased with the latest repair job. Everything that we requested was done. There were some limitations to how much they could box up the slab but overall I am very happy with the job.

Much better workmanship!

Slab Issues - Meeting with Slab Supervisor

Many of you would have already read my post on Friday regarding the slab 'repairs' that we applied to our home to be. Click here to view it.

I was quite disappointed with the quality of the repairs and as soon as I got home I sent an email to the Slab Supervisor raising my concerns. Even though I did not receive an email back from him. Fortunately, my BC was onto it first thing Monday morning and raised this to management.

Without going into too much detail, this morning I got a call from our Slab Supervisor which was soon followed by PD's head of construction to discuss the issues I have raised. I was already meeting our Site Supervisor on site so the Slab Supervisor agreed to join.

After a lengthy discussion, PD have agreed to 'redo' all the repair work. The repairs will be conducted first thing in the morning and include the following:

• Remove old concrete
• Prep the area for inspection
• Fix the Slab Membrane - Garage corner
• Surveyor to inspect again and provide a report for sign off
• Areas of repair to be boxed and then poured

I am hoping that this time around the repairs are done to that of an acceptable standard. 

A big thank you to all those on the homeone forum that helped me through various posts and PMs. Specifically one member who sent me a message with some great 'ammunition' for the discussion. 

Looking forward to moving on for these issues and continuing our build! 

Slab Repairs - Continued...

Yesterday, we received confirmation from our slab supervisor that the slab repairs will be completed today. We were very happy to know the issues will finally be rectified almost 6 weeks after they were raised. It seems not authorising the payment for the slab has worked to our advantage.

The site surveyor will be inspecting the repair work before the concrete pour this afternoon.

I specifically requested the engineering documents and site surveyor inspection report. So far we have received the engineering only.

Whilst going through the engineering I spotted that the repair done to the portico does not match that of the repair work set-out by the engineers (photos here: http://www.dunedin29.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/slab-repairs.html). I have raised this to our Slab Supervisor and asked for a picture of the work before the concrete is poured.

Here is a screenshot of the engineering for both repairs to be applied to the slab.

Slab Repairs

There were 3 issues outstanding on our slab which have now delayed our build. During our inspection today we saw that the slab was being 'prepared' for some repairs. They have added some reo bars in the areas that need repair and will pour some more concrete to the affected areas today or tomorrow. 

 

The reo bars look like they have some surface rust on them and I'm not sure if these repair jobs are done correctly so I will be asking our independent inspector on his thoughts and requesting engineering reports for the work being completed. 

As for the bathtub plumbing recess, we are still waiting for Termguard to come out and treat the area before it is filled with concrete. 

Below are some photos of the slab being prepared for some more concrete. More updates to follow.... 

Build issues - Update

As promised, some of the issues we raised have been attended too. Below is a list of issues that have been rectified:

• The parts of the slab that had 'Honeycomb' have been filled with structural grout. Even though it's not the cleanest of jobs I am happy with it as it ensures the perimeter of the slab is 'sealed'.

• Frame overhang has had grout placed underneath it... Not sure if I happy with this solution and I am assuming the tradesmen that went around the perimeter of the slab thought he had to fix this too as my Site Supervisor told me he would advise how it should be fixed before going ahead. Either way, I will be questioning it!

• Storm water pipe that was set into the portico has been removed. Concrete is yet to be fixed though. 

Slab - Areas of concern marked

Hi all,

Just a few photos showing the marking I did on the slab today. Our Slab Supervisor agreed that I go on-site and mark the areas I would like repaired. I bought a 'Spay & Mark' can from burnings which is commonly used in the construction and surveying industry. 

I also noticed a few more areas that needs attention. I will add those pictures at the end of this post.

Cracked slab edge near garage entry roller door.

Foam pod showing through bath tub hole in the slab. 

Slab Issues - Update

Last Friday, I was promised that our Slab Supervisor would go out to our site and provide feedback on the issues I have raised against the foundation. 

It took 2-3 days of constant pressure from our BC (She's awesome!) to get the issues rectified and get a call from our Slab Supervisor.

Finally, this morning I received a call from our Slab Supervisor. He has confirmed the following:

• All honeycombing will be rectified and repaired using structural grout. The company conducting this repair is booked in for Tuesday. Our Slab Supervisor has agreed that I go on-site and mark all the areas I am concerned and would like repaired. I'm more than happy to do this as it saves them digging around the entire slab perimeter to uncover the honeycombing. 
• 2x Damaged storm water pipes will be repaired and inspected today
• Storm water pipe encased into the portico slab portion will be relocated to 150 mm away from the slab. The concrete will be cut away and 'refilled'. Just before handover we will have the portico area covered with a material that will keep the colour consistent. 

I'm quite happy with the way PD staff have responded to the issues I have raised. I can't comment on the quality and accuracy of the repair work yet but I will do when it eventuates....

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend :) 

Slab Issues - Discussion with Slab Supervisor

The afternoon following slab pour I visited the site to see how they went with the pour. As I previously mentioned, I was quite disappointed with the quality of the poor. Of course my main concern is the integrity of the slab and not the aesthetics of it. 

I raised my concern to our Building Coordinator and Slab Supervisor. I got an email back from our BC within a few hours saying she had spoken to the SS and he would call me ASAP. Next day our SS calls me. He did not for one second of the conversation make me feel like I am overreacting or wrong, which I appreciate as usually that's the default response you get from the builder. 

He agreed with my concerns and also mentioned that he wasn't impressed with the quality shown in the photos I sent. He gave me a few reasons as to why this has occurred but he couldn't confirm until he had seen the site himself. So he assured me that he was heading out on Friday to see it himself and complete a report on the slab. 

He promised that he would share the report with me, get all the issues rectified and provide engineering documents for all the post-pour work done to the foundation. 

Here's hoping all the above happens. Now to wait... 

 

Site prepared and plumbing damaged for boxing....

Another quick update. 

This afternoon (3 pm) will be our pre-pour/foundation inspection. So yesterday we went to the block and to our surprise boxing had not yet been started. 

We did notice that some 'prep work' was done. Pier holes drilled (not filled), gravel laid over site and step downs re-introduced. It seems that whilst they were drilling the piers they damaged the plumbing for the laundry drain. They also damaged the plumbing for the down pipe on the garage external door side. I've made our Slab Supervisor and Building Co-ordinator aware of these and we have been told that they will be rectified by this afternoon. 

Apparently it takes less than a full day to box the site for slab pour.... Let's wait and see if that happens. 

Holes for piers drilled. Laundry drain missing. 

Damaged downpipe drain near garage external entry door. Drain for 'study' room in the garage. 

Portico step down still 150 mm (assuming by comparison to garage 63 mm step down)