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Lilydale blocks often vary in slope and drainage, so the base stage is where small set‑out or moisture-barrier mistakes can lock in long-term cracking and damp risks. Inspect before concrete goes down.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We confirm the slab location, dimensions and basic levels align with the prepared platform and visible set-out. Misplaced boxing or incorrect step-downs can cause boundary issues, uneven floor levels and future drainage problems around the home.
We inspect formwork integrity, bracing and key slab details such as edge beams, garage rebates and porch/alfresco step-downs. These elements control slab thickness and stiffness, and errors here can contribute to cracking or water entry at door thresholds.
We check mesh and bar placement, lap lengths, spacing, and whether reinforcement is properly supported on chairs to maintain cover. Steel sitting too low, too high or poorly lapped reduces the slab’s ability to handle movement common on changing Lilydale sites.
We assess membrane condition, continuity, lap direction, penetrations and taping where required, plus whether it’s protected from punctures. A compromised barrier can allow ground moisture to migrate into the slab, increasing damp, odours and flooring failures later.
We review plumbing and electrical penetrations for location, sleeving where applicable and sealing around the membrane. Poorly managed penetrations can create weak points in the slab and pathways for moisture and termites to enter unnoticed.
We look for ponding, soft spots, excess debris in beams, and whether the site is ready for a clean pour. In Lilydale’s wet spells, water trapped under the membrane or in trenches can undermine the slab base and affect concrete performance.
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Get Stage 1 – Pre-Slab (Base Stage) Inspection as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Book it once the site is boxed up and ready for concrete: formwork in place, steel fixed, membrane installed and services roughed in, but before any concrete is poured. In Lilydale, weather can change quickly, so aim to schedule as soon as the builder confirms the pour date. That timing gives you a practical window to get any critical items corrected.
If you have them, provide the slab plan/engineering drawings, the site plan and any set-out information. They help us verify slab dimensions, step-downs, beam locations and service penetrations. If you don’t have the full pack, we can still inspect the installation quality and obvious compliance risks on site, then note any items that require clarification from the drawings.
We look for termite risk items that are visible at this stage, such as slab edge detailing, penetrations and whether the design appears to allow for continuous termite management. The specific system (physical barrier, collars, or chemical treatment) is usually documented separately by the installer. If a barrier is planned, the pre-slab inspection is a good time to confirm the build is set up to suit it.
Yes. On sloping or cut-and-fill sites around Lilydale, the base stage is where drainage falls, retaining interfaces, and slab edge detailing must be right. If water is directed toward the slab or the platform isn’t prepared consistently, it can contribute to movement and moisture problems. A Stage 1 inspection helps identify issues like poor sub-base condition, ponding and incorrect step-downs before the pour.
We clearly prioritise items that should be rectified before concrete is placed, and we document them with photos and plain-language recommendations. Many base-stage issues can be fixed quickly by adjusting steel supports, repairing membrane laps, clearing beam trenches or correcting boxing details. If the defects are significant, you’ll have objective evidence to request a delay until the work meets the required standard.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the details that matter at Stage 1—formwork, reinforcement and moisture barriers—so you can raise clear rectification requests early. Call 0485 857 077.