Timber cladding cast into concrete
Why timber should never sit in concrete or soil, and what to ask for when it does.
In short: At a Cobbitty handover, timber cladding at the rear of the house had been embedded in concrete, a major defect.
The finding
The rear timber cladding on a Cobbitty home had been set into the concrete path, in direct contact with it. It was recorded as a major defect.
Why it is a problem
Concrete holds moisture. Timber in contact with it stays damp, which leads to rot, swelling and a hidden path for termites.
The clearance rule
Cladding needs clearance above the ground and adjoining paving. Elsewhere on the same jobs we recorded cladding too close to the soil.
Fixing it
Cutting back the concrete or the cladding to restore clearance, then sealing the exposed edge, is the usual approach. The builder should confirm the method.
When to investigate further
If the timber is already soft or stained, a closer look at the framing behind it is worthwhile.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Cobbitty. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
