Hello!
Our neighbors observed that during the pouring of the concrete floor slab on the first floor (1 meter above ground level) at our construction site, loud shouting suddenly broke out and all the construction workers rushed to the partition wall between our semi-detached house and the neighboring one. The neighbors suspect that concrete may have flowed into the gap between the two semi-detached houses. In that gap, of course, there is the required soundproofing panel and— as far as I understand—some kind of drainage system for our concrete basement.
How would you recommend having this checked? What steps should we, as inexperienced laypersons, take now?
Thank you very much and best regards
Our neighbors observed that during the pouring of the concrete floor slab on the first floor (1 meter above ground level) at our construction site, loud shouting suddenly broke out and all the construction workers rushed to the partition wall between our semi-detached house and the neighboring one. The neighbors suspect that concrete may have flowed into the gap between the two semi-detached houses. In that gap, of course, there is the required soundproofing panel and— as far as I understand—some kind of drainage system for our concrete basement.
How would you recommend having this checked? What steps should we, as inexperienced laypersons, take now?
Thank you very much and best regards
B
Bauexperte27 Nov 2011 18:11Hello,
First, you should inform your site manager about this negligence; if they do not take action, involve an independent building expert now and for the remainder of the construction project.
On my website, you will find a link on how to find such a specialist near you.
Kind regards
Ellalia schrieb:
How would you have this checked? How should we, as inexperienced laypersons, proceed now?
First, you should inform your site manager about this negligence; if they do not take action, involve an independent building expert now and for the remainder of the construction project.
On my website, you will find a link on how to find such a specialist near you.
Kind regards
Thank you for your response!
We spoke with the site manager. He said that the structural builder admitted, when asked, that he did initially forget the external reinforcement, but not on the partition wall to the neighboring townhouse. The site manager also thinks it is unlikely that anything happened on the partition wall because he inspected the ceiling after the concrete was poured and didn’t notice anything.
We asked if it would be possible to check for voids, for example with a plumb line. He said that would be impractical.
At the moment, we are trusting what he says because the construction supervisor has been very professional and committed so far. Or is that too trusting?
Best regards
We spoke with the site manager. He said that the structural builder admitted, when asked, that he did initially forget the external reinforcement, but not on the partition wall to the neighboring townhouse. The site manager also thinks it is unlikely that anything happened on the partition wall because he inspected the ceiling after the concrete was poured and didn’t notice anything.
We asked if it would be possible to check for voids, for example with a plumb line. He said that would be impractical.
At the moment, we are trusting what he says because the construction supervisor has been very professional and committed so far. Or is that too trusting?
Best regards
B
Bauexperte29 Nov 2011 10:48Hello,
I also think that not every general contractor should be met with distrust from the start; if your site manager is taking care of things, then that’s fine.
Kind regards
Ellalia schrieb:
At the moment, we trust what he says because the general contractor has been very reliable and committed so far. Or is that too trusting?
I also think that not every general contractor should be met with distrust from the start; if your site manager is taking care of things, then that’s fine.
Kind regards
Follow up. It’s perfectly okay to make it clear to the professionals that you are a layperson and unsure. With the amounts involved, which for most people mean a lifetime of savings, you shouldn’t have to sit at home feeling guilty.
People are also paid for dealing with persistent questions. I work in IT – you have to deal with this : )
Are you rarely at the construction site? I would ask to have everything shown to me in detail.
People are also paid for dealing with persistent questions. I work in IT – you have to deal with this : )
Are you rarely at the construction site? I would ask to have everything shown to me in detail.
Similar topics