Oct 11, 2018
Soil Testing: Why It’s So Important When Building Your Home
Looking to improve your knowledge of the building process? Great! We at Aston Homes are experts in the field of quality home construction and are wanting to share our knowledge and experience with you – so that as you step through the journey of building, you understand the process and can make decisions based on fact!
In today’s blog, we shine the light on the topic of soil testing – a critical first step in the building process. Not only do we explain what soil tests are and why they’re necessary but how they determine the preparation of your land ready for the construction of your dream home.
What is soil testing and why do we need it?
Australia is a huge continent with a wide variety of environments and our land reflects this geographical diversity. This means that no two blocks are ever the same. Not only do climate, rainfall and human influence have an impact on where we choose to build, they also impact upon how this land will change in the future. However one of the biggest influences on what we can build on your block (and how it must be constructed to ensure the building will be stable into the future) is to complete a comprehensive round of tests to determine what the earth is like underneath your block, by digging deep under the surface and analyzing what is found. From this, decisions will be made about what needs to be done to prepare the land for construction.
Why is soil testing so important?
As well as determining thickness of slab (ie the more unstable the soil, the more robust the slab needs to be), the report might determine that other foundation infrastructure is required. If the the soil test classifies your soil as stable and non-reactive, with little or no ground movement predicted from moisture changes, the foundation required may be fairly straight forward, on the contrary, the results could indicate that your site is extremely reactive and that solid soil is an entire meter below the natural ground level. In this case, concrete piers would be required to ensure that the building is stable once constructed. The more problematic your soil is, the more secure your foundations will have to be.
How can we help?
To assist in this initial stage of building, the Victoria Builder’s Association (VBA) has released an information sheet to provide new homeowners with advice on what steps they can take to maintain their homes and prevent damage caused by movement of the foundations. You can access that here.
Have questions? The Aston Homes team are happy to talk you through any lingering queries regarding soil testing. We’re available to chat on 1300 060 908 or visit us at astonhomes.com.au.