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Aberfeldie builds often sit near the Maribyrnong River corridor where ground moisture and drainage details can make or break a slab—checking vapour barriers, edge beams and set-downs before the pour prevents expensive rework later.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We check the base has been properly prepared for the slab: excavation depth, levelness, compaction indicators where visible, and whether soft spots, uncontrolled fill or ponding water could compromise slab support. This matters because concrete won’t fix a weak base—movement under the slab is a common driver of cracking and uneven floors.
We review formwork lines, bracing and key dimensions against the plan where available, including edge beams, rebates and step-downs. Accurate formwork helps ensure the slab footprint, load paths and finished levels are correct, reducing the risk of out-of-square walls and costly framing adjustments later.
We inspect slab mesh and trench mesh placement, laps, tie wire, and the use of bar chairs/spacers to keep steel at the correct height. If reinforcement is sitting on the ground or inadequately lapped, it may not perform as designed once the concrete cures.
We check the polyethylene membrane for tears, punctures, sufficient overlaps, taped joins where required, and upturns at edges/penetrations. In moisture-prone areas, a compromised vapour barrier can contribute to dampness, flooring failures and mould risk after handover.
We verify that plumbing/electrical penetrations are located sensibly, sleeved where appropriate, and that set-downs for bathrooms, showers and balconies match the plan intent. Getting these right pre-pour avoids cutting into the slab later and helps prevent water ingress at wet areas.
We look for slab-edge detailing that supports sensible water management, including visible fall away from the slab area (where applicable), placement of pits/lines within the pre-slab works, and risks of water tracking back under the slab. Early correction helps protect the base from prolonged wetting during construction and beyond.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Book it for the window after the steel, formwork, membrane and services are in place but before the concrete pour is confirmed. In Aberfeldie, weather and site access can affect scheduling, so it helps to contact us as soon as you get a pre-pour notice from your builder. We’ll aim to attend in time for you to raise any items before the truck arrives.
If you have them, share the slab/engineering drawings, site plan, and any builder pre-pour checklist. These help us cross-check details like edge beam locations, step-downs, penetrations and reinforcement notes. If you don’t have full documentation, we can still inspect workmanship and visible compliance risks, then report on what should be clarified with your builder or engineer.
Yes. We review mesh placement, lap lengths where visible, tie-downs, and whether bar chairs/spacers are used so steel sits at the intended cover height. We also look for common issues such as mesh resting on the ground, insufficient lapping, or displacement around penetrations. Where an item needs engineering confirmation, we flag it clearly in the report.
They can be. Blocks closer to the Maribyrnong River corridor may deal with higher ground moisture and drainage sensitivity, and older sites can have variable ground after demolition or previous landscaping. That’s why we pay close attention to moisture barrier continuity, water management around the slab area, and any signs of uncontrolled fill or soft spots before the pour. Early fixes are far simpler than post-pour repairs.
We document the issue with photos, explain why it matters, and provide practical recommendations you can take to your builder or site supervisor. Many items—like torn membrane, missing bar chairs, incorrect laps, or formwork misalignment—can be corrected quickly before the pour proceeds. If a concern needs design input, we’ll recommend discussing it with your engineer or building surveyor before authorising concrete.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the base-stage details that get buried fast—steel, membrane, formwork and penetrations—so you can push for fixes while they’re still quick and affordable. Call 0485 857 077.