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!
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Bauherrin1237 May 2023 12:26Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Thank you, but I was told that the shower pipes also have to be installed in a stud wall. Everything on the side facing the neighbors—the wall (since it’s an end unit in a row house)—has to be built inside a stud wall, while anything on my own wall, like the one to my child’s room, could be installed inside the existing wall. However, the bathroom plumber doesn’t want to put anything inside the wall, which I found strange. Later I learned it’s because it means more work, apparently for the same price!!! We’re feeling very poorly advised and misled and have already complained. It’s also strange because I do have my own wall facing the neighbor... we don’t share the walls.
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Costruttrice7 May 2023 12:53To be honest, I wouldn’t install pipes inside the wall shared with your neighbor, mainly for soundproofing reasons. If they end up hearing your water running, it will likely cause problems. There might also be regulations concerning this, but I’m not sure.
I also find drywall or stud wall constructions quite practical, and the loss of space is hardly noticeable (at least that’s my experience).
I also find drywall or stud wall constructions quite practical, and the loss of space is hardly noticeable (at least that’s my experience).
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Costruttrice7 May 2023 12:55Bauherrin123 schrieb:
But it’s also strange, I have my own wall facing the neighbor... we don’t share walls.That is true, but if you install pipes within your wall, the wall becomes thinner at those points. If the neighbor does the same at the exact location, it becomes even more critical. Mass is what really blocks sound.
I want to point out one thing. If you have water pipes chased into the wall, the wall will be thinner at that point. In our case, the pipes for the bathtub run through a wall to the children's room, and even with insulation, you can hear it very clearly in the children's room. So I wasn’t allowed to take a bath once the child was in bed. Now we are swapping the rooms, but I wish there was a stud wall there.
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motorradsilke7 May 2023 14:32kati1337 schrieb:
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 often have too little space for everyday items, and before hanging some outdated cabinet like from the 70s? I really liked our pre-wall installation in the old house.
In the new one, we will have the pre-wall "to the side," so not directly in front of the washbasins, but on the adjacent wall, allowing us to still use the corner a bit.
And in the shower toilet, there will be a pre-wall in front of the washbasin, which we will highlight with alternative tiles. We chose the BÄRWOLF Ambience Spatolato Blossom Grey and will mix it with matching plain tiles. Pretty much exactly like in their catalog. I don’t even want to think about how much extra money we are paying just for this "feature pre-wall," but I simply love floral kitsch. =) There is a huge difference between a bulky cabinet from the 70s and modern mirror cabinets. Our cabinet only shows mirror from the front. But like everything, it’s a matter of taste. I prefer having everything inside the cabinet. And the pre-wall element does take up space; you need to account for 10 – 15 cm (4 – 6 inches) more space.
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Bauherrin1237 May 2023 16:34Tolentino schrieb:
I want to point out one thing.
If you have water pipes channeled into the wall, the wall will be thinner at that spot. In our case, the pipes for the bathtub run through the wall shared with the children’s room, and even with insulation, the noise is quite loud in the children’s room. So once the child was in bed, I wasn’t allowed to take a bath. Now we are swapping the rooms, but I wish we had installed a built-up wall system there. If it’s only for the sink, and only the sink side faces the children’s room, does that make much noise? Actually, it used to be like that everywhere before...
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