We loved our house from the first time we went through, but it really didn't have enough living space. We have worked on improving the layout of the home and increasing the living area of the home to create a modern and more pleasant layout to the home. We are really proud of how the job has turned out and we wanted to share some of the details of how the extension and layout changes where designed and constructed. This blog has some of the photos of our extension as well as tips that we have learnt along the journey,.
Construction & Contractors Blog
Soil testing is among the most important pre-construction activities. As a potential homeowner, you can't afford to sacrifice on a soil test under the pretext of bringing down the cost of home construction.
This article answers three questions that you're likely to have about soil testing.
How Is A Pre-Construction Soil Test Different From An Agricultural Soil Test?
Many potential homeowners falsely think that pre-construction soil tests and agricultural soil tests are the same thing. The only similarity between the two is that they're aimed at establishing soil properties. However, the two tests are used to establish different soil properties for different reasons.
Agricultural soil tests often investigate soil pH levels, the nutrient content of soil and the moisture content, among other properties. These properties are investigated to determine how suitable the soil is for growing a certain crop.
Pre-construction tests investigate soil properties such as its weight bearing capacity, shear strength and the specific gravity of soils. These properties are used to determine how well the soil will support the weight of the structure that is to be erected on it
It's important to point out that the "agricultural" properties of soil can also be established during a pre-construction soil test upon request. This should come as good news if you intend to do some residential gardening once you move into the newly constructed house.
How Are Pre-Construction Soil Tests Carried Out?
Pre-construction soil tests can be done in-situ or they can be done in a soil testing laboratory. In-situ testing refers to a situation where soil properties are tested on the construction site. Laboratory testing involves the collection of soil samples from the site and their subsequent testing at the laboratory.
There are various advantages associated with both types of pre-construction soil tests. For example, in-situ tests are preferred for the fact that they allow for larger volumes of soil to be tested as compared to the volume of soil samples tested in a laboratory. Thus, the results obtained from an in-situ soil test are likely to be a more accurate representation of the soil mass on the construction site.
Laboratory testing is often preferred for the fact that it allows for positive identification of the type of soil present on-site.
Can Soil Be Tested Both In-situ And In A Laboratory?
Yes. In order to get the most comprehensive results, soil testing contractors will often collect soil samples for laboratory tests upon completion of the in-situ tests.
Many times, there's no extra charge for having both types of tests carried out.
Share3 August 2016
