ᐅ Is it advisable to have the foundation slab inspected by a building surveyor?
Created on: 5 Jan 2023 12:28
B
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!
M
motorradsilke7 May 2023 10:25xMisterDx schrieb:
Where do you want to put all your stuff if you don’t have a pre-wall? In a cabinet? Very impractical.
Instead, you end up with an ugly shelf above the sink. Well, if you like that. This was about the bathroom.
Would you rather have all that stuff sitting on a pre-wall in the bathroom, collecting dust and taking up pointless space?
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Bauherrin1237 May 2023 12:16motorradsilke schrieb:
This was about the bathroom.
Do you really want all that stuff in the bathroom just collecting dust on a drywall partition, which also unnecessarily takes up space? Well, I don’t want those drywall partitions. I still need to clarify where which ones will go... and where some can be removed.
M
motorradsilke7 May 2023 12:20Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Well, I just don't want these cover walls. I still need to figure out where some should go and where some can be removed.Basically, you only need them in the toilet area. The supply and drain lines for the sink can be installed inside the walls.
Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Well, I just don’t want those built-in wall elements. I still need to figure out where some should go... and where some can be left out. It’s a matter of personal taste. But used sparingly, I find them quite practical. You don’t have to fill them completely. Especially around the sink, you quickly run out of space for everyday items otherwise, and before I put up some old-fashioned cabinet like in the 1970s? No thanks. I actually liked our built-in wall in the old house a lot.
In the new house, we’re getting the built-in wall “to the side,” so not directly in front of the basins, but on the adjacent wall, allowing us to still make good use of the corner.
And in the shower toilet room, there will be a built-in wall in front of the basin, which we will highlight with alternative tiles. We chose the BÄRWOLF Ambience Spatolato Blossom Grey and will mix it with matching plain tiles. Exactly like in their catalog. I don’t even want to think about how much extra money we’re spending just for this “feature wall,” but well, I do love flowery kitsch. =)
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Bauherrin1237 May 2023 12:24motorradsilke schrieb:
Basically, you only need them near the toilet.
The supply and drainage pipes for the sink can go inside the walls. Thank you, but I was told that the pipes from the shower also have to be installed in a stud wall. Everything facing the neighbors—the wall, since it’s an end terraced house—has to be inside a stud wall, while the wall that only belongs to me, basically the one to my children's room, could be built inside the room. However, the bathroom plumber doesn’t want to put anything inside the wall, which I found strange. Later, it turned out that it’s more work but apparently for the same price!!! We currently feel very poorly advised and taken advantage of and have already filed a complaint.
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