Category: Tips & Tricks

During construction: take lots of photos.

Even if you don’t know what you’re taking photos of.

Time and time again, photos taken during the construction of houses, pools, sheds, footings and skyscrapers have helped forensic engineers see through dirt, concrete, plasterboard and masonry.

They have helped electricians, plumbers and carpenters make more succinct alterations to your home (with much less exploratory cutting).

They have proven and disproven memories of what actually happened countless times.

And they have saved (and when used for evil, fried) my bacon more than once.

Take lots of photos. Take photos of the walls, the slab reinforcement, the cables, the pipes, the gravel backfill, the window frames, the roof frames, the air-conditioning ducts and the holes in the ground.

If nothing else, they prove you were there on the day and time you said you were.

Without them, we’re just taking your word for it. And as much as I love you, I just can’t trust you on something as important as building houses and sheds and skyscrapers well.

(First published on Cornell Engineers Facebook page)

My dog ate my homework….

Those kids who used that excuse in primary school are still at it as adults.

The excuse these days is that the floods destroyed all traces of the paperwork, or it rained, and they were having a bad hair day. Maybe the file got misplaced when they moved office.

Have you heard these excuses lately?

“No. We don’t have a backup in the cloud.”

“No. That person is on holiday.”

“Unfortunately that person has left the company.”

Damn dogs. Always eating homework.

Unfortunately when experienced structural engineers use this excuse you have to wonder if there is more to the story. How does a modern structural engineering office not have bulk backups in the cloud? How do they not have email copies of where they sent the paperwork to the client? How have they managed to destroy all traces of crucial evidence that something hasn’t been done well?

It’s hard to identify these types of lackadaisical engineers. Sometimes the excuses for lost paperwork even sound plausible.

But when your house is not performing, and the builder has done everything that was asked by the engineer and the engineer loses all traces of this paperwork – where does that leave you?

The BPEQ complaints process doesn’t cover lost paperwork. It doesn’t stare hard enough at engineers who are taking shortcuts and then losing stuff. It doesn’t hold poor office practices to account. Homeowners and consumers aren’t nearly as well-protected as I would have hoped.

What’s your best defence? I don’t even know anymore BUT read our post on engineers’ inspections and at least one informed of some of the problems.

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.

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 @@@

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.

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!