‘Prewetting’ is the process whereby a building site is watered over a period of approximately 10 days prior to the proposed building being constructed. Engineers state pre-wetting of the site is mandatory where a new structure is proposed to be constructed over a site which had previously been occupied by a building with suspended ground floors (e.g. timber floors, concrete slabs on brick build up, etc) or sites which have had significant amounts of established vegetation or even a single large tree.
About us
SA Construction Prewetting delivers a fixed cost service that removes the stress, concern and confusion out of ensuring the site is prewet in accordance with engineer’s strict requirements. The site is setup with commercial grade sprinklers and timers to ensure an effective and efficient watering of the site.
The site is supervised throughout the process and water usage is monitored to ensure the site is wet enough. A fixed cost service means that there are no costly surprises in the unlikely event a site is required to be watered longer than 10 days. With the expectation that site works commence within 3 days of the pre-wet being completed, communication is established early with the builder and any other contractors responsible for site works to ensure the prewet is finished on time and not too early.
What is Prewetting?
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FAQ
What is PreWetting?
Prewetting is simply penetrating the ground with enough water after the demolition of a building, and prior to the construction of the new building, to ensure the area is ready for new foundations.
Is prewetting important and/or required?
Most engineers will require any site to be pre-wet where a building has been knocked down and a new building will be constructed on the same site. The prewet is very important to prevent soil heave and ensure the integrity of the footings on otherwise dry soil. Footings have been known to collapse if there has been insufficient or no prewetting completed.
Can I do it myself?
It is not recommended that you attempt to prewet the site yourself as there are many aspects to consider to complete a prewet that meets the strict requirements set by the engineers. Poor or incomplete prewetting may push back construction start dates, cause integrity issues with the foundation in years to come or cost tens of thousands of dollars if the footings collapse.
Are all sites the same?
No. Adelaide suburbs have varying types of soils and this will have a dramatic effect on the prewet process. Sandy sites will absorb water much faster and may require more water over a shorter timeframe. Clay will generally be less porous, and watering may need to be slower over a longer timeframe. The slope of the block is also just important to prevent runoff or flooding.
Why should you choose SA construction prewetting?
When you’re building a new home prewetting is not an expensive process but it is a necessary one for the peace of mind that your footings and foundation will stand the test of time. SA Construction Prewetting has been prewetting sites for over 10 years for a number of highly regarded, award winning SA home builders. Scott Salisbury Homes, Metricon Homes, Fairmont, Burbank Homes, Klemm Homes and Chasecrown are just some of our important clients who understand the importance of prewetting for strong foundations. Contact Matt today for a quote on prewetting for your knockdown and rebuild.