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[Phil Russell]

The builders of our conservatory are not doing a good job and we have suspended work. One of the issues is that due to an error in placing the foundations, the walls are being built right on the edge. I will not accept this. Is it acceptable practice to dig another trench alongside the foundations and to the same depth and effectively widen the existing foundation? If so .. how much wider should the new trench be? Gut feeling says that if it is acceptable, the new trench should be at least 9 inches wide and to ensure that the old foundation concrete (3 weeks old) is thoroughly washed down to clear soil etc from it before the new concrete is added.
This option may be suggested as part of a bundle of remedial works .. is it acceptable?
Cheers, Phil :?:

[philgrady]

Phil, you are right to suspend works, clearly the foundation is incorrect. The remedial action is more difficult. As a minimum the foundation should be throughly cleaned and also knitted together with starter bars resin epoxeyed into the existing foundation to prevent differential movement and therefore cracking. However this is not your problem it is the contractors responsibility to ensure works are carried out in a proper fashion and hence any alterations are guaranteed. I personally would have it signed off by a building control officer or structural engineer although this would mean extra cost. £200 should see off the design issues with a SE, although the solution could end up being more elaborate. Hope this helps.