Any significant and challenging undertaking requires a strategic, and comprehensive plan. Without this plan and road map, it would be like navigating in the dark and therefore exposed to many unknown risks.
While having comprehensive drawings and excellent con- tractors are prerequisites to a good building, an accurate and detailed plan and checklist is crucial. Without this, a project may face significant delays, incur unexpected costs, inherit unwanted design defects, face conflict with subcontractors and/or clients, legal complications and ul- timately and accumulatively, deciding the fate of the proj- ect, delineating between success and failure.
This topic will be discussed for the first time in this edi- tion, and will continue for several subsequent editions. The writer welcomes readers’ feedback and collaboration on this topic.
DEMOLITION & EXCAVATION CHECKLIST
Make sure all permit signs and NOP sign have been posted
Make sure safety and TPZ fencing are done
Check the disconnection of all existing services (Gas, Hydro water, etc.)
Call Ontario 1 call for locating all under ground services
Establish temporary power
Have proper pump and labor ready for draining water
Order the surveyor to place stakes for excavation after demolition and mark the F.F.F level
Apply to the City for checking the City sewer (and storm) level connections
Check the soil according to the structural drawing assumptions after demolition
Request the geotechnical consultant to test the soil *
Request the structural engineer to change the footing or foundation according to the geotechnical report*
Order the surveyor for footing pins
Check the frost protection levels for walkout, garage and etc.
Check the 45° slope for step footing excavation
Brace or shore soil over 5 feet depth
Have water proof material ready for covering soil to protect from moving during rain
Check the size and depth of the excavation for single footings of columns
Check the size and depth of elevator shaft footing *
Arrange for the delivery of footing forms
Arrange for the delivery of rebars for footing and foundation
Check the water table
Request drain consultant to address any high-water table *
* If applicable.
- Have City approved architectural and structural drawings at the job site
- Order framer (or concrete forming company) to form the footing
- Check the size and depth of strip footings according to the structural drawings (or updated changed by geotechnical instruction)
- Check the size and depth of elevator footing according to the elevator contractor instruction
- Check the location of single footing and elevator shaft
- Removal of all loose material (or mud and water) from inside the footings
- Check the frost protection depth of footing
- Check the 45° angle of step footing at maximum 2 feet high
- Request concrete forming contractor to place the rebars inside the footings
- Check the size, number and space of rebars inside the footing according to the structural drawings
- Check the size and space of dowels according to the structural drawings
- Make sure there is no water penetrating inside the footings
- Check the strength of the footing braces
- Check the weeping tile placement between the footings through the garage and walk-out
- Check the stability of the soil within the braces (or shoring*)
- Apply to the City for footing inspection
* If applicable.
FOUNDATION WALLS STAGE CHECKLIST
- Request forming contractor to pour concrete inside the footings after passing City inspection
- Make sure insulation (Styrofoam or etc.) is placed behind the footing at the walkout or any similar location
- Request the forming contractor to form the bases, especially at the walkout or anywhere that has the frost protection depth of the footing and pour the concrete inside the bases
- Request the surveyor to put the nail pins on top of the footing or bases which the concrete has covered the original pins especially at the walkout or frost protection locations
- Request the forming contractor to form the foundation walls according to the architectural and structural plans
- Check the size, number, and space of vertical and horizontal rebars inside the forming
- Check the extra rebars at the sides of the windows locations over 4 feet width according to the structural drawings
- Request the rough openings of windows and exterior doors from the window contractor at the job site to be checked with the forming opening
- Check the location, size, and height of the windows and exterior door openings according to the window contractor rough opening drawings or instructions
- Order necessary wall plates to be delivered to the job site
- Check the number, size, and specifcation of wall plates according to the structural drawings
- Check the necessary details for concrete lintels at top of the windows and exterior doors
- Ask the structural engineer to check the reinforcement of foundation walls
- Apply for City inspection of forming before pouring concrete *
- Order concrete pump. If it is not included in forming contract *
- Provide two or three 4” holes on cold room concrete wall forms for the sump pump and ventilation
- Check that the concrete mixer truck operator or concrete pump operator are not applying excessive water inside the ready-mix concrete for the sake of ease of pumping concrete
- Make sure the dowels have been placed according to the structural drawings
- Make sure the wall plates have been placed at the right locations according to the structural drawings
- Check that the vertical weeping tiles are placed at the right locations for window wells and !lled up with clear crushed stone
- Check that the horizontal weeping tiles are placed correctly, especially at the connection with the sump pump
- Check the tar has been sprayed to the exterior sides of concrete walls and inside the garage and matched with the grade elevations
- Check that the vertical weeping tiles are properly braced to the wall in order not to fall or relocate during the backfill
- Check that the horizontal weeping tiles at walk out or frost protection areas are installed properly on the concrete walls or to be back!lled before placing weeping tile on
- Check that the clear horizontal crushed stone is placed at least 6 inches on top of the horizontal
- weeping tiles and also inside the vertical weeping tiles
- Check that the top of the foundation wall height is according to the F.F mark by the surveyor and taking into account the thickness of the subfloor
- Check the thickness of the steel beams and make sure the wall plates will be at the right height
- Check the level of garage door and porches on top of foundation walls
- Check the ledge provided for veneer brick or stone according to the architectural drawings
- Check the brick ties at the exterior walls if the height of ledge is more than 2 feet
- Check that the water stopper(s) is installed at the porch or any location that the next stage of concrete will be poured on top of the concrete wall
- Check that the installation of the membrane is stable and nailed properly to the exterior wall on top of the sprayed tar location
- Check that the level of the top of the membrane is according to the grade level of around the house
- Make sure the concrete foundation walls have been cured before backflling
- Make sure the support for the foundation walls is stable during the backflling
- Apply to the City for back!ll inspection
- Request for the excavation contractor for back!lling the house after passing the inspection
- Make sure the vertical weeping tiles are stable and displaced by the backfill machine
- Make sure the backfll operator does remove the crushed stone from the top of horizontal weeping tiles
- Make sure the back!ll machine does not damage the membrane
- Make sure the back!ll operator back!lls and compacts inside the garage at the proper height
- Order the surveyor to check the location and the height of the concrete foundation wall and ask for as-built survey for the next City inspection
- Apply for natural gas connection to Enbridgeu
* If applicable.
