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Tips & Tricks

Leaf Litter vs Drains

Fighting leaf litter at your home when it rains? Do your grated drains block up with leaves and grass clippings? Does water overflow everywhere leaving you running in the rain to unclog drains?

Take a hint.

It doesn’t have to be a galvanised steel grate cover like this one, but a fabricated basket over your drain shaped to stop leaves but allow water to flow might be your solution.

Image of a galvanised drainage grate surrounded by leaves

More than once we’ve specified a beefed-down version of this council’s leaf litter trap for front and back yards.

Stops leaves clogging your pipes and allows water to flow.

@@@ WIN WIN @@@

Categories
Tips & Tricks

Seasonal Movement and Cracks

Older slab-on-ground houses can experience seasonal movement due to soil reactivity and the absence of modern footing designs. Before the adoption/introduction of AS2870, foundation designs often relied on minimal soil preparation and basic reinforcement.

While these methods served their purpose at the time, they often fall short of withstanding the effects of ground movement that modern wall linings (ie plasterboard) need today.

If you’re dealing with seasonal movement causing cracks, uneven floors, or other structural issues, here are three practical tips to help you manage the problem.

1. Improve Drainage Around Your Property

One of the most effective ways to address slab movement is by managing the moisture content of the soil around your home. Reactive soils expand when wet and shrink when dry, causing stress on your slab. To mitigate this:

– Ensure your property has effective site drainage, including properly graded surfaces that direct water away from the house.

– Install or repair gutters and downpipes to prevent water from pooling near the foundation.

These improvements reduce seasonal soil moisture fluctuations, which are a primary cause of slab movement.

2. Consider Underpinning or Slab Jacking

If your slab has already experienced significant movement and is no longer moving, it may have subsided and could benefit from additional structural support. Underpinning and slab jacking are two techniques commonly used for reversal of one-way downward movement:

Underpinning: This involves supporting the foundation in a deeper, more stable soil layer. It’s a permanent solution that addresses erosion and/or soil consolidation issues.

Slab Jacking: This process raises and levels the slab by injecting grout or expanding foam beneath it, filling voids and restoring structural integrity.

Both methods require professional assessment and execution, so consult a structural engineer to determine the best option for your home (Beware: Don’t ask a slab jacking or underpinning “salesperson” at this stage!!!)

3. Monitor and Maintain Consistent Conditions

Preventing future movement involves proactive monitoring and maintenance. Small steps can make a significant difference over time:

– Monitor new or existing cracks for changes in size and direction, as these can indicate ongoing movement.

– Maintain a consistent moisture level around your foundation by avoiding overwatering gardens near the house and ensuring tree roots are kept in check.

By addressing potential issues early, you can reduce the risk of costly repairs and extend the life of your foundation.

Professional Advice Matters

Every house is unique, and older homes often come with their own set of challenges. If you’re experiencing recurring movement in your slab-on-ground house, it’s essential to seek professional guidance. A structural engineer can assess your property, identify the root cause of the movement, and provide tailored solutions to protect your home.

Addressing movement in older homes can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can restore stability and peace of mind.

Categories
Tips & Tricks

The Distraction Dilemma

Is there a dollar amount you could be paid a year to be 100% productive every minute you are at work; or would you still check your phone on $1M a year?

We’ve all been there—sneaking a glance at our phones during work hours or scrolling through social media between tasks. It’s no secret that distractions like these chip away at productivity, but why do we need to check out during work hours, and how can we balance focus and downtime effectively?

Studies show that most employees in Australia use their phones during work hours for personal reasons. Whether it’s a quick TikTok scroll or replying to a SnapChat message, these habits can snowball into significant productivity losses for your employer.

But here’s the catch—it’s not about laziness. Workers might feel disengaged, overwhelmed, or even burnt out, leading them to seek relief through distractions.

There’s a Case for Short Breaks

Research supports the idea that strategic short breaks can boost productivity. The Pomodoro Technique, for example, recommends 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. This approach allows your brain to recharge, making your next work session more efficient and less mentally taxing.

Tips for Managing Your Time and Energy at Work

Schedule Your Breaks

Build short, intentional breaks into your day. Step away from your desk, go for a quick walk, or even just stretch—anything that gives your mind and body a chance to reset.

Create Clear Boundaries

Turn off unnecessary notifications during focus periods and save personal phone use for your scheduled breaks.

Use Productivity Tools

Tools like Trello, Asana, or even a simple timer app can help you stay on track and monitor how you’re spending your time.

Break Big Tasks into Smaller Goals

Large tasks can feel overwhelming, which makes procrastination more tempting. Break them into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate small wins.

Encourage Workplace Culture Around Breaks

Managers can promote a healthier work environment by supporting regular, guilt-free breaks. A 5-minute chat in the kitchen or a walk around the block can work wonders for morale.

Balance is Key

Distractions during work hours might seem like a productivity killer, but are they caused by larger issues like fatigue, disengagement, or lack of focus? By encouraging structured breaks and effective time management strategies, employees and employers can find the sweet spot between productivity and brain recharge.

What are your go-to strategies for staying focused at work? Let’s share ideas and keep the conversation going!

(First published on Cornell Engineers’ Facebook page)

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Tips & Tricks

If You Don’t Agree with Your Engineer’s Report

What To Do If You Don’t Agree with Your Engineer’s Report or Drawings

Engaging an engineer to provide a professional service is an important step in bringing your project to life. However, disagreements can occasionally arise, and it’s vital to know your options if you’re not satisfied with the engineering report or drawings you’ve received. Here’s some practical advice to help you navigate the situation constructively:

Start with Open Communication

At Cornell Engineers, we value open and honest communication. If you have concerns about the design or report, give us a call. We welcome the opportunity to understand your concerns, clarify any issues, and work towards a solution that works for you.

Escalate the Issue to the RPEQ

If the matter remains unresolved, you can escalate it to the RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland) responsible for the work. Every RPEQ has a responsibility to uphold professional standards and can review the concerns raised.

Review the Contract

Carefully examine the scope of work and deliverables outlined in the contract. This will help ensure that the engineer’s work aligns with what was agreed upon.

Request a Site or Office Meeting

Sometimes a face-to-face discussion can help clear up misunderstandings or address concerns more effectively. A site or office meeting with your engineer can provide clarity and lead to a collaborative solution.

Review the Terms and Conditions

Before taking further action, carefully review the terms and conditions of your agreement with the engineering firm. This can provide insight into what services were promised and help determine the next steps.

Provide Feedback

Sharing constructive feedback with your engineer is helpful in resolving the issue and improving their service. It could be as simple as pointing out specific areas of concern in the report or drawings.

Lodge a Complaint

If open communication and meetings don’t resolve the issue, most engineering firms have a formal complaints process. Use this as an opportunity to escalate your concerns within the organisation.

Be Mindful of Non-Registered Engineers

If the work was completed by a non-registered engineer in Queensland and was not supervised by an RPEQ, you are not legally required to pay for the work. In such cases, report the matter to the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland (BPEQ).

Leave Reviews to Help Others

If your issue is resolved (or not), consider leaving a review for the engineering firm. This helps others understand what to expect and holds businesses accountable for the services they provide.

At Cornell Engineers, we believe in resolving issues through constructive conversations. We’re here to listen, discuss, and help you get the outcome you’re looking for. If you have any concerns about our work, don’t hesitate to call us. Let’s work together to ensure your project moves forward with confidence.

If you’re facing challenges with an engineering report or design, call us today—we’re here to help!

Categories
Tips & Tricks

Do You Even Need an Agg Pipe

When designing site drainage, do you even need an ag pipe?

Big hint: Water flows through gravel without an ag pipe.

Here’s the order of the universe:

Gravel – Highly porous with large particle sizes that allow water and air to pass through easily.

Coarse Sand – Very porous, with relatively large particles and low water retention.

Fine Sand – Moderately porous, smaller particles than coarse sand but still allows significant drainage.

Loamy Sand – A mix of sand and some silt and clay, moderately porous but retains more water than pure sand.

Loam – A balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay, providing moderate porosity and good water retention.

Silt – Less porous than loam, with smaller particles that retain water well but drain more slowly.

Sandy Clay Loam – Less porous, with a higher clay content that reduces permeability.

Clay Loam – Low porosity due to a high clay content, retaining water more effectively.

Clay – Least porous, with very small particles that make drainage extremely slow and retain water tightly.

So before you shell out the money for an ag pipe, take a minute to determine what you are trying to achieve.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Ag pipes don’t magically make water flow uphill!

  • Grade the base of your drainage trench in the direction you want water to flow.
  • Use a geofabric (or not – it’s up to you) to minimise silt loading.
  • Use 10mm or 20mm gravel in your drainage trench to allow water to flow down the hill/grade.
  • Discharge water without causing a nuisance to your neighbours.

Water that sits in gravel-filled trenches also soaks into the ground. It doesn’t ALL drain down the hill. Think about where you position your drainage trench and the effect of water soaking into your ground.

Best of luck!