ᐅ Is it advisable to have the foundation slab inspected by a building surveyor?
Created on: 5 Jan 2023 12:28
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bavariandream
Hello everyone,
In mid-December, the foundation slab for our single-family house was poured. The civil engineering company is a family-run business from the region with an excellent reputation. The preparations went very smoothly (they even started with the earthworks before we had signed the contract), and we didn’t have to worry about anything (they also handled various inquiries with the local authorities since they already knew each other).
On the day the foundation slab was poured, unfortunately, we were all very sick (middle ear infection with a fever just under 40°C (104°F)) and couldn’t visit the site (just getting to the bathroom was already a struggle). I went there the next day for a quick look. The slab was completely covered, which we expected because there had been heavy snowfall at the time and nighttime temperatures dropped to -12°C (10°F). The civil engineering company regularly works under such conditions; at our previous landlord’s site, they poured the slab on Christmas Eve despite heavy snow.
So far, so good. However, when we visited the site about a week later (we don’t live locally), some parts of the protective foil were missing. We suspect that children playing may have removed it because the wind alone shouldn’t have been able to do that—the foil was very well secured.
Now we don’t know exactly when this happened, so we’re unsure if the slab was already frost-resistant at that time, and we’re wondering if this might have had any negative effects. Visually everything looks fine and, for example, I haven’t noticed any cracks. The slab will be inspected in spring by our construction manager, but I assume they will mainly check if all measurements are correct.
Therefore, I wanted to ask here if you would recommend having the slab inspected by an independent expert. I’ve heard that organizations like TÜV Süd offer such services. Or is that money wasted because they would basically just measure again and check for cracks (as I said, I couldn’t see any; everything looked fine to me, but I am a complete layperson)?
Thank you very much in advance for your help!
In mid-December, the foundation slab for our single-family house was poured. The civil engineering company is a family-run business from the region with an excellent reputation. The preparations went very smoothly (they even started with the earthworks before we had signed the contract), and we didn’t have to worry about anything (they also handled various inquiries with the local authorities since they already knew each other).
On the day the foundation slab was poured, unfortunately, we were all very sick (middle ear infection with a fever just under 40°C (104°F)) and couldn’t visit the site (just getting to the bathroom was already a struggle). I went there the next day for a quick look. The slab was completely covered, which we expected because there had been heavy snowfall at the time and nighttime temperatures dropped to -12°C (10°F). The civil engineering company regularly works under such conditions; at our previous landlord’s site, they poured the slab on Christmas Eve despite heavy snow.
So far, so good. However, when we visited the site about a week later (we don’t live locally), some parts of the protective foil were missing. We suspect that children playing may have removed it because the wind alone shouldn’t have been able to do that—the foil was very well secured.
Now we don’t know exactly when this happened, so we’re unsure if the slab was already frost-resistant at that time, and we’re wondering if this might have had any negative effects. Visually everything looks fine and, for example, I haven’t noticed any cracks. The slab will be inspected in spring by our construction manager, but I assume they will mainly check if all measurements are correct.
Therefore, I wanted to ask here if you would recommend having the slab inspected by an independent expert. I’ve heard that organizations like TÜV Süd offer such services. Or is that money wasted because they would basically just measure again and check for cracks (as I said, I couldn’t see any; everything looked fine to me, but I am a complete layperson)?
Thank you very much in advance for your help!
Bauherrin123 schrieb:
I wanted you to plan the bathroom freely according to your wishes, as that would bring more ideas... rather than me revealing mine upfront. But it would make sense if you shared that. Why should several people here put effort into thinking about it and maybe come to the exact same result? It’s baffling—you seem not to have understood the purpose of a forum. So, go ahead and share your plan.
Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Now that I have to pattern the bathroom, I’m told the drain pipe is fixed in the corner where it’s marked... but apparently it can be moved... I’m not exactly sure. So, the limits are at most the wall below and to the right of the window and the wall on the right.
I’ll remind you of your floor plan thread... we have always recommended planning furniture and such from the start. This applies especially to built-in elements that depend on the construction.
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Bauherrin12321 Apr 2023 20:24kbt09 schrieb:
It would make sense if you shared that information. Why should x people here think about it and possibly come to the exact same conclusion? It’s baffling—you clearly don’t understand the purpose of a forum. So, show your plan.
So, at most, the wall below the window on the right side of the plan and the wall on the right.
I’m reminding you of your floor plan thread... we have always recommended planning furniture and so on. This is especially important for built-in fixtures dependent on the construction.Hello, I do know the purpose of a forum. I have four elements and provided the measurements and mentioned that I want the sink on the right wall. I said what bothers me, I don’t have any other ideas, and that’s why I wanted to ask you all how you would do it... I’m flexible with the design and don’t have ideas, so that’s why I’m asking.
What do you mean by:
So, at most, the wall below the window on the right side of the plan and the wall on the right.
Bauherrin123 schrieb:
But I wanted you to freely plan the bathroom according to your wishes, because that brings more ideas.... than if I reveal my ideas to you right away Bauherrin123 schrieb:
What do you mean by that:
So, the maximum walls would be along the bottom right next to the window and on the right side. That the toilet can only be positioned there.
With your wishes like the sink on the left side, the toilet would also need to be placed on the left side. And in that case, the toilet drain would have to be oriented towards the left wall. Since it is now on the right, having the shower, bathtub, and toilet all on the right side doesn’t really work out well. That’s just how it is.
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xMisterDx23 Apr 2023 19:13Drilling a 150mm (6 inches) core hole shouldn’t require an excessive amount of effort. The only question is whether it is structurally feasible, considering the reinforcement in the ceiling.
Given the current openings and the double window with a sill height of 105cm (41 inches), you are locked into the present design. Unless you move the toilet and washbasin to the “upper” wall, shift the shower to where the bathtub is, and place the bathtub where the toilet currently is. However, this only works if the shower is then positioned in the middle of the room, free-standing with two glass walls on the left and right.
Given the current openings and the double window with a sill height of 105cm (41 inches), you are locked into the present design. Unless you move the toilet and washbasin to the “upper” wall, shift the shower to where the bathtub is, and place the bathtub where the toilet currently is. However, this only works if the shower is then positioned in the middle of the room, free-standing with two glass walls on the left and right.
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Bauherrin1236 May 2023 09:20Hello dear members, the man who is doing our bathroom said it would not be a problem at all. However, I wasn’t surprised—he wants to install the sink as a surface-mounted unit… and build a stud wall to hang it on. I told him that he should put the pipes inside the wall since the sink side is my interior wall facing the children’s room. At first, he hesitated but then said it would be more work. How do you feel about this plan? I’m looking for a sharper picture right now and maybe someone can explain how surface-mounted and plastered walls compare… I mean the sink should be fixed directly to the wall and not to a stud wall.
I also uploaded the floor plan as it was originally planned.
Then another question: We are only installing 2 network (EDP) connections… My husband says it’s too expensive and that should be enough. One on the ground floor by the TV, one upstairs in the office, and the router will be in the attic. Do you think that’s sufficient?
I also uploaded the floor plan as it was originally planned.
Then another question: We are only installing 2 network (EDP) connections… My husband says it’s too expensive and that should be enough. One on the ground floor by the TV, one upstairs in the office, and the router will be in the attic. Do you think that’s sufficient?
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xMisterDx6 May 2023 10:46Where do you plan to store all your stuff if you don’t have a built-in cabinet? In a cupboard? Very impractical.
Instead, you end up with an ugly shelf above the sink. Well, if that’s your preference.
Instead, you end up with an ugly shelf above the sink. Well, if that’s your preference.
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