Which way does the ground fall
The cheapest item on any report, and one of the most consequential.
In short: Site grading findings across three Leppington stages.
What grading does
It carries surface water clear of the building rather than trapping it at the footing.
What we recorded
Site not graded at frame stage, grading required again at fixing, and required once more at lock-up, across Leppington jobs.
The pest connection
Ground that stays wet at the footing is the primary conducive condition. Moisture beside timber is most of the invitation.
The building connection
Water held at the footing on reactive clay drives differential movement, which is what cracks walls.
The fix
Regrading, and downpipes that actually discharge somewhere. Cheap, and routinely left until last.
Written by the Owner Inspections team from inspections carried out in Leppington. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
